Maserati Enthusiasts' Page

The Enthusiasts' Page

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	All things 'Maserati'. News of forthcoming models, owner's cars, tips, 'Marque' reunions and the odd touch of humour! In fact anything of interest to the 'Maseratista'. So if you have any news about Maseratis or have anything owners and enthusiasts should know, send details to maserati123@btopenworld.com	Grille trident on a Maserati A6G/2000 by Allemano

You can click on some pictures for a better view!!





From eBay in the UK

NEWSFLASH - Price of used Ghibli GT rockets in the UK ?? This optimistic seller of a Ghibli GT hopes the bidding for his car will start at TEN MILLION POUNDS STERLING. He thinks his car is a Birdcage.





From Claudio in Italy

This clever little animated gif is the logo of Claudio in Italy. It is frequently seen in the Forum of RepartoCorse where Claudio is a regular contributor!





From Rene in The Netherlands

"Dear Enrico, In response to Your comment I would like to say the following, first of all I didn't see the killing of the Biturbo, they have a habit of doing things like this don't they, last year or the year before they killed a XJS, it took me a while to get over that I must admit and I think that people who can get almost anything they want will do such things just out of boredom, it is the danger of being confronted with the new all the time, You lose the eye for the old and meaningful like the Biturbo, or the XJS. True petrolheads will never turn their back on their marque, as for Clarkson, he is not a petrolhead, just a journalist whose job it is to report on cars with a high dose of x-factor, for example, if I was given the chance to drive the MC12 around their track and crash it I would fall to my knees and start crying, Clarkson however would get out of the car turn around and ask for another one, as for his driving skills, why do You think they hired the "stig" not for his great looks. To all TRUE petrolheads, I wish to You great driving fun this summer and stay safe. Greetings from Rene."

And if you're wondering what Rene is referring to? It's this!!





From Markus in Switzerland

"Hi Enrico, I just purchased a Sebring I 1963. 15 km after picking it up the fuel pump stopped and we had to trailer it home. There was no manual or other documents coming with my new toy and I have to built up my library, especially with documents like electrical plans for fuses and all the other stuff. I guess after my mechanics here got her running again and authorities checked it for number plates, I want to drive it to a mechanic who is specialized in Sebrings, i.e. who can check it out and tell me what to do next. I'm commmunting between Zurich (Switzerland) and Berlin (Germany) so if that kind of mechanic is in that area, it would be perfect. Nevertheless, it might be worth while even to drive to UK if a good man can be found there. Can you give advice? I do not even know what most switches on the dashboard are for. I found headlights, choke and wipers, but when I tried one of the others a fuse blew with some smoke. So, if you could spare some lines to give the first important infos a greenhorn like me should know coming to your mind, I would be grateful. Thanks for the great article on your website and the "problem-section", which will help me a lot. All the best, Markus."



"Dear Markus, Thank you for your email. Very nice car. I'm jealous already!! Attached is the 3500GTI/Spyder/Sebring User's Manual. I hope you will find it useful.



As I do not own a classic Maserati, I drive a 1995 Ghibli MY94, I cannot recommend any Maserati specialists in Germany. I can recommend two specialists who I know: 1. Can be trusted to do any job properly. 2. Are honest people to deal with. They are Bill McGrath in the UK ( tel: +44 1438 832161 ) and Giuseppe Candini in Modena ( tel: +39 059 828280 ), Marcello Candini, the son, speaks English. Both have a wonderful worldwide reputation as being both honest and very capable. Please remember that getting the job done properly will be expensive. You might get cheaper quotes but believe me money well spent is money saved in the long run. Hope this helps, Enrico."





From Antonio in Spain

"Hi Enrico, This Bora was driven by Jean Guikas at the "Shell Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge" which was held at the 2005 Grand Prix de Pau Historique. Regards, Antonio."





From Henry in the UK

"During practice for the round 3 of the FIA GT Championship at Silverstone recently, I was able to visit the JMB Racing pit garage. Enjoy, Henry."





From Marc in the USA

"Dear Enrico, One of the fun things to do is to check your website every so often. Truly informative and a tribute to the great cars made by Maserati. Thank you for all your work in making this a fantastic site. I want to share pictures of my 1969 Ghibli SS (AM 115/49-1066), one of the first such cars with the larger 4.9 liter engine (officially, the SS denomination did not begin until 1970). It is a two owner car, originally bought in France with 50.000 km, recently repainted but otherwise completely original. One never tires of looking at the shape of what has to be one the most beautiful cars ever designed. The thrill of engine’s roar over 3000 rpms is utterly intoxicating and beyond description! Cheers, Marc."





From Peter in Germany

"Hallo Enrico, your Maserati Site is a best Site of a Maserati. I send a picture for my Maserati Spyder Modell 86. Thank you for the best. Peter."





MASERATI – egli ci ha tante stelle 14 July-23 July 2005 MICHAEL HOPPEN GALLERY 3 Jubilee Place London SW3 3TD Tel: 020 7352 3649

Maserati – like Caravaggio, Puccini, Barolo, Riva – is one of those sonorous names that speak volumes about Italian culture. With 22 examples built, the Maserati 250F of 1954 was the first mass produced Formula One car! But, despite a glorious history of speed, luxury and style, Maserati is mainly appreciated by those people who have taken time to search for it. Maserati was founded in 1914 by the six Maserati brothers (one of whom was a painter). It was then sold to the Orsi family in 1937. A troubled liaison with Citroën began in 1967 and then Argentinian entrepreneur Alejandro de Tomaso bought Maserati. Since 1993 Maserati has been wholly owned by the Fiat Group and an industrial rinascente began. Maserati has always attracted celebrities. The greatest racing drivers of them all – Nuvolari, Fangio and Moss – all drove Maseratis. The Aga Khan, the Shah of Persia, Alain Delon, Peter Ustinov and even Eva Longoria’s character in the successful American TV series Desperate Housewives have all been customers. But most of all, the best designers have been attracted to the romance of the Modena machines: Frua, Bertone, Pininfarina and Giugiaro have produced some of their very best bodywork for Maserati, making dull metal sing. This is an exhibition of photographs of the people – the racers, the stars, the royals, the troupers – whose reputations made the Maserati story. It has been selected from the Maserati archives by Stephen Bayley, entrepreneur of ideas, who also wrote the commentary to the exhibition. Michael Hoppen Gallery, Chelsea, are delighted to host this rare opportunity to view original photographs from the Maserati archives. MASERATI - egli ci ha tante stelle (There are so many stars) — Giacomo Leopardo





For Ghibli Cup owners GREAT SUCCESS The Maserati Club here in the UK staged their annual concours last weekend with a record 115 Maseratis gracing the grounds of Stanford Hall in Leicestershire. Highlight of the event was the largest gathering of right-hand drive Ghibli Cups ever seen in the UK with eighteen cars present. Meridien-Modena, the Maserati main agent for Hampshire, displayed their Ghibli Open Cup racer. Ghibli Cup owner and enthusiast Scot 'Pronto' Crane presented each owner with a specially 'designed for the occasion' Ghibli Cup T-shirt and a limited edition print of the Maserati Tipo 61 'Birdcage'.



You can see more photos taken at the 2005 Maserati Club Concours, and learn more about the friendly atmosphere of the Maserati Club here in the UK, at www.maseraticlub.co.uk





From Rene in The Netherlands "Top Gear shows the Maserati MC12 is fastest car on their track, faster than the Ferrari Enzo! What an amazing car, the MC12. Greetings from Rene in the Netherlands."

From Enrico Maserati enthusiasts who watched Top Gear last night, (BBC 2 8:00pm Sunday 29th May 2005), will have seen presenter Jeremy Clarkson driving the Maserati MC12. The start of the programme was devoted to Maserati, with Clarkson enthusing over a Ghibli in the studio and later a driving a Tipo 250F round the track - thank God he didn't prang it! Then he took to the track in an MC12 and didn't seem too impressed even though he admitted that it was fast, very fast. It may interest you to know that last week, I was contacted by a researcher from Top Gear, asking for photos of Maseratis of the Eighties. I told him I would send him some official Factory photos and added whether it was worth including the photos in the programme as it was highly unlikely that Clarkson would have anything nice to say about Biturbos; or any other modern Maserati for that matter. This in spite of the fact that there are many owners/enthusiasts out there who love them, and that properly maintained they are quite reliable. Little did I know then that their idea of fun was to drop a skip from a great height onto a red Biturbo. Needless to say the poor old Biturbo met an untimely end!! It seems our TV license fees are being truly wasted (it's alright for you Rene, you don't have to pay it!). The programme ended with a Maserati MC12, in the hands of racing driver Perry McCarthy (AKA 'Stig'), claiming the fastest time around their test track with a time of 1:18.9 secs, 0.1 of a second FASTER than the previously quickest recorded time by a Ferrari Enzo. It was good to see a professional like Perry McCarthy getting the best out of the car, unlike Clarkson who's style of driving makes me think that he may have had aspirations of a future in figure skating!





A Jewel in the USA 1964 MASERATI 3500GTI by CARROZZERIA TOURING Red with White leather interior and Black carpeting, fully restored from an original 39,000 miles example, 5-speed manual ZF transmission and Borrani wire wheels. This is a no expense spared full restoration to show quality of what must be considered one of the best Maserati 3500GTs available in the world. The body is original and was stripped to bare metal showing no sign of rust or previous body damage. This example was originally fitted with Lucas fuel injection but has been retrofitted with Weber carburation during its recent restoration. Many 3500GTs had been originally supplied from the factory with Webers when new. The original Lucas fuel injection is available and supplied. The aluminum bodies are attractive, well built and superbly finished by Touring of Milan. This is a classic high performance Italian GT powered by a dual overhead camshaft, dual ignition, inline all alloy six-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower from its 3.5 litre displacement engine, this lineage dates to the 250F Grand Prix cars and the 300S-350S sports-racers. This was the model that brought Maserati from a boutique builder of racing cars to a manufacturer of high performance, high quality production GT cars. Early cars had drum brakes described as "marginal”, this being a late example it has four wheel disc brakes and thus brakes straight, well and with great ease. The Maserati 3500GT is a wonderful automobile that will allow entry to many wonderful vintage events. It is extremely user friendly and a wonderful, easy automobile to drive and enjoy. The example on offer here is absolutely exceptional in every way. This 3500GT has been restored by a fanatic, it is sorted and ready for a loving new home as its owner has moved on to his next project-restoration. It comes complete books and all restoration records and receipts. If you're seriously interested in owning this magnificent Maserati then why not check it out on eBay.com

































I would like to thank Tom Papadopoulos of Autosport Designs Inc., Huntington Station, N.Y. for allowing me to publish these excellent photos.





From MCI, NW Region, in the USA INAUGURAL 'RUN FOR THE CAVE' MEETING Join Maserati Club International, NW Region, for the inaugural 'Run For the Cave'. This is going to be a great event to enjoy our cars and spend time with fellow Maserati enthusiasts. September 17th, 18th and 19th 2005 MCI will present a three day event hosted by Cave B Estate Winery (www.caveb.com) and the Cave B Inn at Sagecliffe (www.cavebinn.com). This three day event will include a hosted tour of some of the best and most scenic driving routes in Eastern Washington, with photo opportunities at points of interest along the Columbia River, including an exquisite lunch and wine tasting provided by St. Laurent Winery (www.saintlaurent.net).

Cave B Estate Winery - a super premium winery situated on the spectacularly beautiful cliffs above the Columbia River near Vantage, in Eastern Washington.

We will be departing from MIE on Friday, Sept 17, 2005, and heading for the brand new Cave B Winery and Resort (www.caveb.com). There is limited space so sign up soon! Click on the links for pdf versions of the following: Information / Application. The 'Run for the Cave' is being jointly organized by Al and Beatrice Lancaster, Kerry and Carol McMullen, and Mike Latsis. You are welcome to call us or email if you would like more details. "Looks like a great event at a reasonable price..." - maseratinet.com/MCI/run_for_the_cave





From the 2005 Cannes Film Festival SHARON STONE CHOOSES QUATTROPORTE FOR CANNES AS FIAT GROUP CHARMS STARS OF THE SILVER SCREEN Italian elegance and innovation abound in Cannes this week and Sharon Stone has chosen a Maserati Quattroporte for all her official engagements at the film festival. Style, design and passion have brought Maserati’s flagship international acclaim with these qualities perfectly mirroring the personality of the American actress. Sharon Stone joined Lapo Elkann for the amFAR Cinema Against AIDS Cannes Benefit at the Moulins de Mougins where they auctioned an Alfa Romeo Alfa GT as part of the $2 million raised for the charity on the night. As well as the Quattroporte, Sharon Stone also has the use of the latest Fiat Croma, the innovative super station wagon that will makes its debut across Europe at the end of the month.

Carol Bouqet in Quattroporte at Cannes		Colin Firth in Quattroporte at Cannes

Dennis Hopper in Quattroporte at Cannes		Elodie Bouchet in Quattroporte at Cannes

Sharon Stone in Quattroporte at Cannes

...Me? I had to walk!!!





My boomerang may not be coming back! ...but this 2001 3200GT might be coming back if some passionate Maserati enthusiast has the will and the cash to do so...





...and if you're that enthusiast you can start by checking it out at www.ebay.it





Looking for a 390 bhp Maserati V8 engine? "I was told by the insurance company that the car was in a house that had a fresh water flood - They bought a new engine under the policy for $45,000.00 - This is the old engine - the a/c compressor is is still attached - THE ENGINE TURNS OVER FINE! - It is still in the box as you see in the pictures below and will be sold this way - BEAUTIFUL - See www.maxcar.net





From Gareth in England. "Henry, In reply to the question from Robert on page one of the 'Enthusiasts' Pages', I think the car he has was one of my 430s, it's a 430 SE, obviously with an SE bodykit. I fully repainted the car as it had come from an eastern market and the paint had "Yellowed" but was amazingly rust free, I think it was from Hong Kong. It was also fitted with 228 wheels which have a different offset and looks very purposeful. I have to say this was the best condition 430 I had owned. However, the last time I saw it a different bonnet had been fitted as the one original to the car had been "borrowed" for a 222. Gareth"





From the USA The Maseratis of the Back Yard "If you just want to make tall grass short you can get a 3.5 or 4 [h.p.] and still get the job done," says George Thompson, vice president for communications at the Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, firm Briggs & Stratton, a major U.S. manufacturer of mower engines. "A Kia will get you there, as will a Maserati," he says, comparing the cheap-to-exorbitant spectrum of cars to lawn mowers. "Obviously the Maserati has a lot more features on it. And a lot more horsepower."





From Dolphin Automotive in the USA THE GOOD NEWS - "How do you describe a dream? You are about to view a fabulous car, every way you look at it, a real beauty, a 1974 Maserati Merak in absolutely stunning condition all around. This is a well cared for vehicle and we have a ton of books and records for the new collector to have. The milage is genuine, the car is a diamond and it runs and drives excellent. The A/C is cold and we have the original smog pump if the car goes to California. The previous owner was 75 years old now and he did not want to let this car go. He saved every single piece of paper he had for the car including the books and manuals, maintenance records, newspaper articles, spec info, mechanics to call, blue prints of wire harness, key codes, paint codes, oil change records, every part that was changed is on record, it is almost weird how much info we have saved on this car. It drives excellent and to be honest I think it clearly outperforms a Ferrari of the same time period. In fact it drives better, it sounds better, and it looks better. The car is a head turner and I think it has the potential to win at least second in the Italian Auto shows, if not first. Please come in and see the car before you bid, have it looked at or send a friend. You will not be let down. The paint looks to be all original but it is 31 years old so minor touch ups could have been done. There are no marks on the finish and the interior looks better than excellent." THE BAD NEWS - If this car sounds like the business and you would like to own it, sorry, you're too late! This nice little Merak was recently snapped-up by a lucky new owner for only US $24,100.00 on eBay Motors, that's only GB £13,119.22p at today's exchange rate (17th May 2005).





























I would like to thank Dolphin Automotive in Pompano, Florida for allowing me to publish these excellent photos.





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