Category Archives: Maserati

1963 Maserati Sebring – REVISIT

December 12, 2012 Graham

The 1963 Maserati Sebring we featured two months ago has been relisted for sale, not having met its reserve the last time at just over $101,000. This time the seller is offering a Buy it Now of $119,000:

1963 Maserati Sebring on eBay - REVISIT

The below post originally appeared on our site October 29, 2012:

The Sebring was another great machine in a long line of grand touring cars from Maserati. With their historic win at the 12 hours of which this car was named after, this coupe with a 3.7 liter inline six cylinder engine and Lucas direct engine was wrapped in handsome bodywork by Vignale. Based on the 3500GT chassis with a shortened wheelbase, this coupe was produced from 1962 through 1969. This 1963 Sebring for sale in California is a matching numbers example that looks stunning in red.

1963 Maserati Sebring

I am pleased to offer my 1963 Maserati Sebring Series 1 3500GTI for sale. It is a matching numbers car with the original Lucas fuel injection installed and in excellent mechanical condition. Power assisted Girling 4-wheel disc brakes and a 5-speed ZF gearbox makes for a wonderful driving experience. It runs and drives extremely well and it has been recently restored to a high quality driveable and "showable" condition. Over $32,000 recently spent making this a stunning example. A Vignale bodied 3.7 liter inline six with twin plug head design producing 255 HP. Only a limited production of 348 built from 1963 -early 1965. A very rare car and considered by many to be one of the finest examples of Vignale coachwork. It is my personal favorite of the Maserati 6 Cylinder GT cars.

Serviced, tuned, overhauled cooling system, steering, and complete new two stage paint along with 95 % of the chrome has been replated. All new Italian black leather front and rear completely correct in style and condition. Everything works except for clock which does sometimes. Fast and smooth, running on the period correct original Pirelli 185/16 tires and although very old still look and work great. I would suggest that a new set be installed if the new owner chooses to drive it often. If you are seriously considering a Maserati GT for your collection this one should be at the top of your list. The 3500GTI cars are becoming the new darlings for the astute collector. Rugged, well built fast and great handling makes for a very usable sports GT. Parts are readily available through Maserati source and MIE. If you are serious and have relevant questions please contact me at 805.969.7289. Martin and this car is for sale locally and may be subject to a previous sale. Thank you for looking at this listing.

With just under 600 produced, the Sebring isn't terribly rare amongst 1960s Italian grand touring machines. Current market values peg the Sebring between $70,000 and $90,000 in good condition, so this example is pushing the envelope a bit at close to six figures with its reserve not yet met. This Sebring is certainly in good condition, but will it be enough for someone to go the distance on the bid?

-Paul

Maserati, Modern Classic

2005 Maserati Quattroporte Neiman Marcus Edition

December 3, 2012 Graham 4 Comments

With the holidays upon us and gift giving on everyones' minds, it's a perfect time to take a look at a trinket from one of the most storied holiday catalogs: the Christmas Book from Neiman Marcus. Every year, this boutique's holiday catalog offers "Fantasy Gifts" geared for multi-millionaires looking for posh, out of the ordinary gifts. For the 2004 Christmas Book, Neiman Marcus offered a special edition Maserati Quattroporte. A total of 60 cars were built and included in the package were the Bordeaux Pontevecchio paintwork complemented by Ivory Poltrona Frau leather with Bordeaux piping. Chrome meshing on the front grille and side vents along with 19" ball finished alloy wheels finished off the package, along with a specially numbered plaque on the dashboard. This special edition Quattroporte for sale in Florida was the 18th example built.

2005 Maserati Quattroporte Neiman Marcus Edition

Florida's Premier Maserati Dealer Has Just Traded In This Stunning 2005 Maserati Quattroporte! #18 of 60 Worldwide - Neiman Marcus Edition. Finished In Bordeaux Pontevecchio with Campionario Leather Interior. This Naples, FL Automobile Features:

Duo-Select Paddle Shift Transmission
Navigation System/Infotainment Screen
Premium Audio System with CD Changer
Silver Color Brake Calipers
Alcantara Headlining
Drilled Leather Power Heated Seats with Memory Feature
Rear Park Assistance Sensor
Power Sunroof
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
19" Ball Polished Wheels

Prices of early fifth generation Quattroportes have come down to levels where less well heeled enthusiasts can afford them, but as usual, maintenance costs are still a concern. Clutch replacements for the DuoSelect gearbox can be pricey, but depending on the way you drive, you can get upwards of 30,000 miles on a clutch. For those seeking a bit more reliability, Maserati began offering a ZF automatic in the 2007 model year. However, the fully automatic cars can be a bit more expensive. For a 2005 Quattroporte with over 30,000 miles, the asking price is a bit on the high side. A value somewhere between $35,000 and $40,000 is more realistic. True, this is a special edition model, but when you boil it down, it's merely a trim package. For me, the color is very attractive and would be on my short list if I was to buy a Quattroporte.

-Paul

Maserati

1989 Maserati Spyder

November 29, 2012 Graham

If the Maserati 430 we featured last Saturday was a bit tame for you, then have a look at its open roofed sibling, the Spyder. Hailing from the same model year, this Biturbo with a shortened wheelbase and shared the same, troublesome biturbo V6 with its four-door counterpart. These Spyders carry a bit of a premium over the hardtop Biturbos, but are still rather affordable for enthusiasts of more modest means. This Spyder for sale in Washington State is a pretty original example and like most Biturbos, has low mileage for its age.

1989 Maserati Spyder

This Maserati is in outstanding condition and runs strong with the quick response one would expect from a European car. The paint is original and still as beautiful as the day it was new, there are small blemishes and a couple small door dings. The rims are aluminum with no curb rash. Every item from the power windows to the gages are operational. The Maserati signature clock shows no ware and works (it does however loose a bit of time). The interior is clean. The seats are a combination of leather and suede, the suede shows light wear, I have new suede from Marerati that comes with the car. The soft top fits tight but has two small rub marks that do not leak or allow light to show through. The McIntosh stereo system is fully functional and rocks. The power amp, equalizer, and CD player are in the trunk. The car is built to run and does a great job doing so. The car is just plain fun to drive and attracts attention wherever it goes.

The thing about most Biturbos with low mileage is that many spent countless hours in the shop sorting out the nettlesome mechanicals. When running right, they can be rewarding cars, but as with most Italian exotics, a moment of pleasure can equal a lifetime of pain. This Spyder is attractive because it has the 5-speed manual gearbox and is in presentable condition with original paint. You might see the odd museum quality Spyder fetch over $10,000, but if this car gets to that figure, that probably will be all she wrote.

-Paul

Maserati, Modern Classic

1989 Maserati 430

November 25, 2012 Graham 2 Comments

The 430 was Maserati's attempt in the late 1980s to challenge the likes of BMW and Mercedes in the compact executive car market. An evolution of the oft maligned Biturbo, the 430 added an extra set of doors and a longer wheelbase to appeal to a broader market. It was a futile attempt, and less than 1,000 were built between 1987 and 1994. This 430 for sale in Florida has low mileage, but with little in the way of a description from the seller, would it be crazy to give this motor even a passing glance?

1989 Maserati 430

Maseratis of this era represent a cheap way into an exotic marque. The interior and exterior of this 430 look very well kept, but what about the mechanicals. A picture of the engine bay hasn't been provided by the seller, which raises some red flags in my book. But, this could very well be a mechanically sound motor. If a knowledgeable mechanic could give this car a clean bill of health, then someone is about to get a bargain.

-Paul

Maserati, Modern Classic

1984 Maserati Biturbo

November 14, 2012 Graham 3 Comments

Italian cars aren't the most reliable vehicles on the block. In recent years they have improved, but there's always the shadow of doubt that something could go wrong that would put a damper on your day. The Maserati Biturbo, however, is the kind of car that could put a damper on your entire life. Designed to help Maserati compete in a lower priced segment, de Tomaso, the cash strapped owners of the marque, designed the car on a shoestring budget. Mechanical maladies were many, which made for many frustrated owners and a slew of Biturbos with low mileage because people just gave up on the cars. You can buy a Biturbo for pennies on the dollar these days, but does it make it a smart buy? This Biturbo for sale in Illinois looks fairly innocent, but trouble could lurk underneath.

1984 Maserati Biturbo

This is my 1984 Maserati Biturbo. This Biturbo has 16k original miles! It has a beautiful interior and exterior, and you can tell it was properly stored. It is rust-free, and it is in near mint condition. This truly is the nicest Biturbo I have ever seen. You would be hard-pressed to find one in this condition. You really must see this car to appreciate it! I drove this Biturbo around my neighborhood twice, but the carburetor is currently off the car. This car is almost entirely original, including the Michelin tires! I am reluctantly selling my Maserati, because I have bought another car and I do not have room for both. I can refer any potential buyer to an excellent shipping company, should the need arise. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me.

I'm not sure if I would be bragging about the car having original tires. After almost 30 years, I would say it would be about time to get some more pliable (and safer) rubber. I would also want to know why the carburetor has been taken off. It seems there might be some issue the owner doesn't want to address right up front. The best Biturbo out there may bring $6,000 to $7,000 in the current market. If you could snag this car for around $4,000 or a little under, you might have a good buy. Just be prepared to put your local mechanic's kid through college if you pull the trigger.

-Paul

Maserati, Modern Classic

2003 Maserati Spyder GT

October 31, 2012 Graham 2 Comments

It's no secret that Maserati's F1 Cambiocorsa transmission requires a bit more maintenance than your usual gearbox. Every 20,000 miles or so you'll need to replace the clutch, so bank on setting aside $2,500 to $3,000 for that. Now one can begin to understand why a car that had an MSRP of over $80,000 is fetching $30,000 and below today. For those who want to avert some of the nettlesome upkeep, the Coupe GT and Spyder GT were available with a traditional 6-speed manual gearbox. Those I know who have driven one of the three pedal Maseratis have raved about them and I even met a guy who had a 6-speed Spyder that said he uses it regularly with little hassle. Have the Italians finally mastered the art of reliability in exotics, then?

2003 Maserati Spyder GT

Up for sale is my Maserati Spyder GT. This car is in outstanding condition inside and out. It gets looks everywhere its driven. It has no previous traces of paintwork or accidents. It comes with many factory options, some include; power windows, power locks, premium audio system, full power convertible top, heat, ac, traction control and many more! This Maserati was just taken to Maserati of Dallas for a once over for the next owner. All the fluids were topped off and its ready to go. It has a fresh oil change, Fully Synthetic Valvoline 5w40 as recommended by Ferrari. It runs and drives perfect, and the top works flawlessly.

It has a 390HP V8 engine mated to a smooth shifting 6-speed transmission. I have driven both the F1 Cambiocorsas and it doesn't even compare. The 6-speed is a completely different experience and much more fun. Also, it cost next to nothing to maintain where as the F1 costs a fortune. This vehicle is being sold AS-IS where is with no warranty expressed or implied. This Spyder GT has two known blemishes, both are on the rear bumper. We can have that fixed for the customer at an extra charge if they desire. If you may have any questions about this GT, feel free to message me through eBay, or contact me by phone at 405-620-5264. Thanks for looking!

The seller's asking price is just about spot on for a Spyder GT with this kind of mileage. There are not many ways of getting a red drop top with a Ferrari V8 under the hood. These are tempting cars at this price, and after a friend of mine bought a used Quattroporte a few months back, it makes me think that Maserati ownership, if well considered, is more realistic than I first thought.

-Paul

Maserati

1968 Maserati Mexico

October 13, 2012 Graham 1 Comment

For those thinking a Ferrari or Lamborghini may be a bit too brash, Maserati has always been a more subtle choice for people seeking style and speed. The Mexico appeared in 1966 and was a handsome four place coupe with lines penned by Vignale. This car has the larger 4.7 liter, quad cam V8 with 290 horsepower and was the first Maserati to feature four wheel disc brakes. This Mexico is for sale in Connecticut was originally delivered to a Spanish customer. It isn't a concours example, but is a car worthy of being driven and enjoyed.

1968 Maserati Mexico

1968 Maserati Mexico 4.7 Coupe Red with a black interior.Numbers matching 4.7 engine with power steering. Odometer shows 17,000 kilometers, the motor was rebuilt by Maserati in the late 1970's and the odometer was set back to zero at that time, I do not know the exact kilometers on the car. The car was originally sold into Spain in April 1968 and then purchased from Spain and brought to the USA by the customer I got the car from, he owned it since the early to mid 1980's. I believe the car may have had only 3 owners from new. It has always been on the road and driven regularly. It runs out very nicely and feels great on the road, everything works execpt for the air conditioning which I didn't try to charge. The car has good paint with cracking in some areas and chips in various places but there isn't any rust showing on the body and the underside is solid and dry. The chrome is coming off the rear bumper. The windshield has some scratches from the wiper. The interior is in nice shape with what looks like new seat bottoms to the seats but it does not look out of place with the rest of the interior.

The above information about the engine rebuild was confirmed in an email from Maserati which also told me the original color was Grigio Milano and the interior was black leather. This is a very nice driving example of a very rare to find vintage Maserati. You could leave this car as it is and enjoy it for many years,they only made 250 of these and they are not going to go down in value. The reserve is very reasonable. This car comes with a factory owners manual as well as a factory shop manual. I have the rubber strip for the rear bumper guard and I have a wiper blade on order for the passenger side.

Car is located in northwestern Connecticut about 75 miles north of New York City. If you have questions you can email me thru ebay or call 860-350-1140. The car comes on a transferable registration which acts the same as a title and will allow you to register the car in any state or export the car. There are many more detailed photos located at forzamotorsports with the usual com ending I recomend that you take the time to study these photos if you are seriously interested in this car. International buyers welcome I can help set up shipping to any part of the world. Thank you for looking at my listing.

A Mexico in good condition will usually bring somewhere between $50,000 to $70,000. I'd guess with this car's patina, we might be looking at a $50,000 to $55,000 car. With just shy of 300 built, these are very rare cars. For someone looking to get their feet wet into exotic Italian machinery, these coupes represent a pretty good value in comparison to other sports cars from the period.

-Paul

Maserati

1985 Maserati Biturbo

September 13, 2012 Graham 1 Comment

One of the most maligned Italian cars has returned to CICFS. The Maserati Biturbo was an effort to move the company from manufacturing high end supercars to producing sport luxury vehicles capable of bringing the fight squarely to BMW and Mercedes-Benz. This Biturbo for sale in Philadelphia looks clean and is well documented. But should someone wanting to scratch that Maserati itch take a chance?

1985 Maserati Biturbo

Only 49k miles. One owner, no accidents, Autocheck certified. 5-speed manual, two turbochargers. Rear-wheel drive, luxury sports car. Air conditioning, leather, power windows, runs great!

With only one previous owner, this automobile is ready for you.The mileage represented on this vehicle is accurate.This is a smoke-free automobile.There are no signs of prior damage on this vehicle.There is no damage evident on this vehicle.All power equipment is functioning properly.The engine on this vehicle is running properly.

For a Biturbo, low mileage isn't always a plus as it is with other vehicles. As we've discussed at length, these cars were notoriously unreliable and are not looked upon favorably by enthusiasts of the marque or in general, for that matter. Sure, everything might be working now, but tomorrow, all hell could break loose. It's encouraging to see a slew of service receipts and $6,500 is cheap when it comes to Italian exotica. Potential buyers must realize, though, that their chances of nursing a Biturbo through a few thousand miles without fault is about as high as hitting 21 on the $100,000 Blackjack table.

-Paul

Maserati, Modern Classic

2003 Maserati Coupe GT

September 7, 2012 Graham 2 Comments

It's been ten years since Maserati returned to the US market. It was with this car, the Coupe GT, that they broke into what would become their largest market worldwide. These new cars with their Ferrari derived V8 engines went a long way towards erasing bad memories of the Biturbo from the 1980s and brought Italian car ownership closer to the mainstream in the US once again. This Coupe GT for sale in Chicago has the desirable 6-speed manual transmission in place of the Cambiocorsa paddle shift gearbox.

2003 Maserati Coupe GT on eBay

Little in the way of a description is given by the seller, which is unfortunate when it comes to high end Italian exotics. As noted by a few of our readers, with these kind of cars, it's paramount to have a full and detailed description when it comes to service and repairs with a vehicle of this caliber. The asking price of just under $27,000 is right on point with current market values. While the metallic gray paintwork isn't the most eye catching color for the Coupe GT, it could be just the ticket for those seeking incognito high performance motoring.

-Paul

Maserati, Modern Classic

1982 Maserati Quattroporte

September 2, 2012 Graham 1 Comment

While the Biturbo brought a lot of negative press to the Maserati party during the 1980s, there was another model that flew under the radar: the third generation Quattroporte. It's Giugiaro penned lines aped a bit of the Maserati Kyalami and De Tomaso Longchamp, but on a grander scale. Available with a 4.1 or 4.9 liter V8, this luxury sedan offered impressive power in an era of engines strangled by emissions controls. With a plush leather to back up this power, this was a great long distance cruiser. Much like today's fifth generation Quattroporte, this car was the choice for executives wanting something just a bit more special than the usual run of the mill luxury sedan. This Quattroporte for sale in Louisiana looks handsome in brown with aftermarket wheels that aren't oversized and fit the character of the car.

1982 Maserati Quattroporte

1982 Maserati Quattroporte, VIN ZAMBC1109CA302062 50,000 actual miles. Current owner for about three years. Car is sorted and all maintenance up to date, ready to enjoy. These are wonderful cruisers………..great on the highway. It is very reliable. Driven regularly. Honestly represented, best validated with personal inspection and drive. Complete documented mechanical refurbishing as listed below.

Engine: Engine is strong with no smoking or noise upon start up and excellent oil pressure. Excellent oil pressure, car starts and runs exceptionally well. Current timing chain adjustment. Valve cover gasket / half moon seal replacement, Mobil one synthetic 20 - 50. NEW proper radiator core with all new hoses and clamps. New thermo switch. New thermostat and seal, BMW factory antifreeze. All emissions removed, fans are now on custom wiring harness complete with relays and fuses, bypassing original fuse block. Both fans are wired to come on. Overflow reservoir re-located to stock euro position. New coil, dist cap, rotor, plugs and plug wires. Air filter, new high torque gear reduction starter. All under hood parts re-plated. Trans cooler hoses replaced. Bosch 120 amp (orig 75) alt and new regulator, recent Bosch battery, new A/C blows cold and holds charge. New a/c dryer and press switch, new valves on compressor head.

BRAKES: Rebuilt master cylinder with new reservoir ($$$). New front and rear flex lines, EBC red pads. Rear EBC pads. Backing plates and hardware nickel plated

SUSPENSION: New front poly A arm bushings, new ball joints, refinished control arms. New front and rear shock bushings.. New front wheel bearings and seals. New inner and outer rear wheel bearings with seals. New tie rods/boots. New updated steering column bushing. Rear wheel bearings and seals properly replaced. All parts detailed, New rear shock bushings.

EXHAUST: New Stebro stainless center exhaust sections, ANSA rear tips on good stock rear exhaust. New hangers.

Wheels/Tires: New alloys with Pirreli tires. 5th alloy wheel with new Pirrelli tires,original wheels included

MISC: New period Nakimichi cassette with properly installed hidden sony amp. Fuel tank removed and seals replaced, no rust. Custom installation of factory Maserati clock.

Very rare to have a pristine factory owners manual and pouch. Factory trouble light, Factory keys with pouches. Collection of factory printed material presented in custom embossed leather binder. Much more documented work in Excel spreadsheet.

DISCLOUSURE: Minor bubbles in lower door areas which have remained as such since my purchase. Undercarriage, floors, rockers excellent. Typical Italian gauges, but all work with some learned interpretation! Currently washer reservoir is cracked. Slight separation of stitched seam on upper portion of drivers seat, sort of hidden by seat belt.

Anywhere around the $10,000 mark seems to be the going rate for a Series 3 Quattroporte in good running and cosmetic order these days. Anything over that mark is reserved for low mileage, museum quality vehicles. The caveat here is that Maseratis from the 1980s, whether they are the oft maligned Biturbo or their bigger sibling that we see here, don’t have the inherent collectability factor that earlier and later vehicles wearing the Trident badge have. True, there are a lot of enthusiasts out there buying, running and restoring Maseratis from this period, but you have to really love these cars or buy them in top condition, as they are a losing battle when it comes to an investment. Still, the Series III Quattroporte does have presence in its own right and you certainly don't see one, especially in this condition, every day of the week.

-Paul