Bonhams have an interesting Maserati up for auction in their "December Sale". A 1967 Maserati Quattroporte, Lot No. 437, goes under the hammer on the 1st December 2011 starting at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.

Lot No: 437

1967 Maserati Quattroporte Saloon

Coachwork by Carrozzeria Frua
Registration no. OUB 188F
Chassis no. 107 1462
Engine no. 107 1462

Estimate: GB £45,000 - 55,000, EURO 53,000 - 64,000

'The Quattroporte is billed as the world's fastest sedan. It is a highly refined automobile with a four-passenger cruising capability in excess of 100mph, with enough attendant luxuries to compare favourably with non plus ultra of all luxury sedans, the Mercedes-Benz 600 and the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow.' - Car & Driver.

Styled by Frua and introduced in 1963, the V8-powered Quattroporte was a landmark model for Maserati, being the Modena firm's first four-door saloon and its first car of unitary construction. Styled by Frua and introduced at the 1963 Turin Show, the Quattroporte was powered by a downsized - to 4.2 litres - version of the 5000GT's four-cam V8 and beneath the skin featured independent front suspension and a De Dion rear axle, though the latter was replaced by a conventional elliptically sprung live axle in 1967. Car & Driver recorded a 0-60mph time of 8.7 seconds and wound their Quattroporte up to 120mph, estimating that there was another 10mph still to come, all of which was some going for a fully-equipped four-seater weighing close to 2 tons.

The successor Quattroporte II deployed the V6 engine and front-wheel-drive package of the Citroën SM in a body by Bertone, but did not long survive Maserati's take-over by Alessandro De Tomaso. Its successor - the Ital Design-styled Quattroporte III - arrived in 1978. Maserati V8 power was restored for this, the third of the line - the options being a 4.2 or a 4.9-litre unit - and the 'III' reverted to rear wheel drive using a lengthened Kyalami floorpan and all-independent suspension. The 'Quattroporte' name was revived for a fourth series in 1994.

One of the world's fastest luxury saloons of its day, this early Quattroporte was first registered on 29th September 1967 with the cherished numberplate 'YP 6' by Maserati Concession of Holland Park Avenue, London W1. The current vendor purchased the car in 2005 from Mr Anthony Hartley, and a full list of all previous owners is available for inspection. Over the period 2008/2009 the Maserati underwent extensive refurbishment, the engine, suspension, brakes and air conditioning being overhauled by marque specialists Bill McGrath Maserati (see detailed invoices totalling in excess of £25,000 on file). In addition, the interior has been re-trimmed by Kish Executive of Sunderland, the body having been restored and repainted during previous ownership. Finished in red with grey interior, the car is described as in generally excellent condition and offered with old-style logbook, MoT/tax to May 2012, Swansea V5 document and sundry restoration/service invoices.

Photos and text courtesy of Bonhams