Legende et Passion

Espace Fontvieille - Monaco Saturday 20th May 2006 at 15.00

Lot 229 1967 Maserati Mistral

Registration no: Italian Registered
Chassis no: A11/103/A1/1622
Estimate: €42,000-52,000

The Maserati name is one of the oldest and most respected in motoring history the world over. Established in 1926 by racing driver Alfieri Maserati and his brothers, it began as a racing marque and developed into a sporting one. The production of road cars started in 1958 with the glamorous 3500GT, a Touring bodied coupé powered by a detuned version of Maserati's famed 350S competition engine of 1956. The 3500 series proved to be a great success and represented the pinnacle of Grand Touring cars until it was superseded by a new model in 1963. The new car was romantically named the Mistral after the wind which blows over the French Mediterranean coastline, conjuring up images of speed and beautiful scenery. The Mistral enjoyed a relatively long production life, from 1963 until 1970, during which time a total of 948 cars were built, of which a mere 120 were spyders, with only 20 of those being right-hand drive.

The Mistral continued to use the race-proven 6 cylinder, twin-cam engine, power output being in excess of 220bhp at 5,500rpm. The chassis was of tubular design with semi-elliptic rear suspension, coil springs at the front and hydraulic shock absorbers all round; the gearbox was a five-speed ZF unit with a single dry plate clutch, whilst braking was by discs to all four wheels.

Coys are proud to offer this stunning Mistral Coupe, as one of a pair of exceptional Maseratis that come from a prominent private Italian collection. Virtually a one owner from new example, the car is fitted with the more powerful 4.0 litre, six cylinder engine which features its original Lucas fuel injection system, which is in perfect working order. Other than a recent quality repaint the car presents itself in a perfectly preserved 'time warp' condition. Maseratis of this period general are very hard to source in this condition, because of their inherently low values when compared to say a Ferrari of the same period most of them have lived through a period of neglect before being revived by enthusiasts: this is no such car, all of the chrome work and hard to source interior fittings are fresh as the day the car left the factory. Its current owner a famous personality in Italian fashion circles is only and regretfully selling the car to make space for another purchase.

C'est notamment tres difficile de trouver une Maserati des annees 60 qui n'ont pas souffri une periode de negligence, grace a leur valeur plus bas que, par example, les Ferrari. Cette Mistral se presente en condition superbe, avec tres bonne chrome et une tres belle interieur.

Lot 231 1971 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 Litre SS

Registration no: Italian Registered
Chassis no: *
Estimate: €54,000-60,000

Maserati needs no introduction. Already a legendary racing marque before the war, the company turned to the limited production of sports cars for the road in the 1950s. These proved to be highly successful, and manufacture continued throughout the '60s with the company taking credit for some of the most potent and luxurious cars of the era. None upheld this great tradition better than the magnificent Ghibli.

Introduced to an enthusiastic public at the Turin show of 1966 the Ghibli broke with the recent Maserati tradition for conservative designs, instead displaying dramatic, purposeful lines, drawn by none other than Giorgietto Giugiaro whilst still at Ghia's design studio. Under the bonnet was Maserati's magnificent all alloy 4.7 litre four cam V8, derived from the company's sports racing car power plants and mated to a five speed gearbox. Claimed top speed was a not inconsiderable 174mph! At the car's launch in 1966 its competitors were Ferrari's also new 275GTB and Lamborghini's 400GT. The Ghibli was highly acclaimed, enjoying glowing praise from motoring journalists of the time, a fact not lost on collectors today, with whom the model has become one of Maserati's most sought after road cars, combining stunning looks and towering performance. It is a unique privilege for us to offer this virtual one owner from new Maserati Ghibli Coupe, one of two exceptional Maseratis entered into this sale from the same private collection.

Originally the property of a prominent Italian industrialist the car was driven sparingly during its early life and then for many years was carefully stored by his sons and exercised gently when necessary. This explains how almost 35 years later the car still wears its original paintwork and its interior is in perfectly preserved condition. It is understood the car has never been exposed to rain or accident damage. The mileage of approximately 60,000 Km is believed genuine and is reflected in the stunning original condition of the car.

Finished in a fetching shade of 'rame metalizzato' or copper metallic the car is to the ultimate 4.9 litre SS specification and features a manual gearbox and air conditioning.

Recently checked over mechanically this is without doubt the most authentic Ghibli Coupe's we have encountered and surely a collector's delight. At now one quarter of the value of a Ferrari Daytona and arguably better looking and more pleasant to drive this car makes a seriously tempting proposition.

A peu pres a un quart du prix d'un Ferrari Daytona et probablement plus belle, cette Ghibli SS porte toujours sa peinture d'origine en couleur 'rame metalizzato', cuivre metalisee. D'une collection privee, cette voiture de sport est vraiment une tentation.

Lot 250 1973 Maserati Indy

Registration no: German Registered
Chassis no: AM 116491830
Estimate: €25,000-30,000

Two Owners from New

During the 1960s Maserati gradually gave up the idea of motor racing and turned more to road cars, although they harked back to the marque's days of glory on the race tracks. Nowhere is this dichotomy better illustrated than in Maserati's V8 cars. The engine was commissioned with the intention of winning the Indianapolis 500 but then the commissioner ran short of funds and withdrew from the project. Maserati could not allow a wonderful large-block 'quad-cam' to gather dust and so gave it gainful employment in the 450S sports-racer which almost won the 1957 World Sports Car Championship.

The front-engined cars originated in the 1960s shared the same basic floor pan although crucial dimensions changed according to whether it was to support the lithe Ghibli or the corpulent Quattroporte.

By 1968 it was felt that the road car designs were rather plain so shortly after the exotic Ghibli the Indy was introduced, a striking gran turismo with four seater coachwork by Vignale. With servo-assisted disc brakes on all four wheels, monocoque construction, a 260bhp quad cam V8 engine and five speed gearbox this was, for its day, a thoroughly modern and potent motor car, capable of a claimed maximum speed of over 150mph. In 1970 a larger, 4.7 litre engine became an option, with improved performance and greater refinement.

This Maserati was been delivered new to Germany in 1973. With only 2 registered owners, the car was part of a big collection for some time and presents itself in largely original condition.

Fitted with the larger 4.7 litre engine and finished in metallic copper / bronze, this Vignale bodied sports icon of the 70's comes with original black leather interior, 5 speed gearbox, tinted windows and alloy wheels, an older expert evidence and German paperwork.

Seulement deux proprietaires de neuf ont savoure cette icone des annees 70. Decrit par le vendeur comme etant dans un condition original, cette Mistral est fourni avec un interieur en cuir original, une boite a 5 vitesses et des papiers allemands.

Lot 258 1955 OSCA MT4 Barchetta

Registration no:
Chassis no:
Estimate: Refer Department

In 1937 due to economic depression, the Maserati brothers were forced to sell their company and the rights to the use of the Maserati name to the wealthy Orsi family, however they stayed on under the terms of a 10 year employment contract. When the 1947 expiration date approached, the Maseratis left the Modena factory without a word of discussion on either side.

As soon as they could they set up space in a corner of the original Maserati works in Bologna, where the brothers had originated their business back in 1926. They set about designing a completely new car from a clean sheet of paper. The new company was named 'Officine Specializzate Costruzioni Automobili - Fratelli Maserati SpA', and so the legend that became OSCA was born, launching the Maserati brothers into their greatest commercial success.

Their one aim was to establish themselves with a winning car in the 1100 cc sports/racing category which was so very popular in Italy. Their design directive was clear- simplify and lighten.

Basic engineering was their motto, done to the highest standards possible, it is said that no Bugatti, Ferrari, or post-1947 Maserati was ever made to higher standards!

The car produced was the MT4, following the lines of their previous A6GCS Maserati, which over the next 8 years became the most successful under-1500 cc sports racing car in the world.

Maserati records show that chassis no. 1169 started production on 8th January 1955 for Signori Capianca and Sigobato to compete in the 1955 Le Mans. It is with this end that the Le Mans style long tail body was constructed for the car. Unfortunately the car was not completed in time, however with its export to the United States, its illustrious career started with the road races at Santa Barbara, Torry Pines and Palm Springs, piloted by Harry Chapman of Chicago. The 'whale', as it became affectionately known, competed in many of these hard fought road racing events with numerous successes, scoring its first in class win in 1956 with Ernie McAfee at the wheel in Santa Barbara.

The 1499 cc 4 cylinder engine with a compression ration of 8,8;1 generated approximately 110 bhp. The original engine in chassis no 1169 had increased compression of 9.5:1 and was said to be rated at about 130 bhp. Coupled to the elegant and sleek aluminium body that only weighed 1,210 lbs, it was more than capable of taking on the more powerful Ferraris and the nimble Porsches

In 1956 the car competed in the Pebble Beach road race, again with McAfee at the wheel. However, this time, with even more power, as the engine from the OSCA Land Speed Record car, chassis no. 1512, had been transplanted into the car, this engine had a very rare twin plug head with magneto ignition and is still fitted to the car to this day.

In 1958 the car was sold to the Beverly Hills TV personality Bill Laden. He continued to campaign the car up and down the West Coast until the early 1960s.

A very well documented and known car throughout the race circuits of California, full records of the races are to be found published in many books and magazines.

In more recent times the car competed in the Mille Miglia retrospective throughout the 1980s and 1990s, finally appearing in 1991 at the California Mille. In 2000 it underwent a comprehensive restoration in Massachusetts by RTR engineering to restore it to the beautiful condition that it can be seen in today. Shortly after this restoration it collected a 2nd Price Trophy at the Castle Hill Concours d'Elegance. It remains one of the most well documented and much loved OSCA MT4s of the motor racing circuit in the USA while retaining its original body and the powerful Jim Simpson Land Speed Record engine.

Lot 261 1956 Maserati 150 S Barchetta

Lot 275 1968 Maserati Ghibli

Registration no: Italian Registered
Chassis no: AM115/67
Estimate: €70,000-80,000

The Maserati Ghibli made its debut at the 1966 Turin Salon, where it was received with rapturous acclaim. With dramatic but tasteful coachwork by Giugiaro at Ghia and Maserati's sports-racing derived four cam V8 engine under its bonnet, it vied for position at the top end of the supercar market with Ferrari's new 275GTB/4. The 1968 Turin Salon saw the launch of an open spyder variant, which went into limited production the following year in direct competition with Ferrari's Daytona spyder. If anything, the gorgeous lines of the Ghibli coupé had been improved upon, in itself a considerable feat, and the spyder soon found favour with the international rich and famous.

The Ghibli enjoyed many compliments for both its looks and performance, an American journal commenting in 1968, 'The Ghibli is by far Maserati's greatest contribution to the automotive world in the past 20 years. Its appearance alone gives one a feeling of opulence.' The example you see here today, originally a 4.7 coupe has been professionally transformed into a spider by renowned Modena based Maserati specialists Campani. As recently as last month major restoration work was completed including a bare metal respray. This car remains amongst the most sought after of Maserati's road going GT's, its combination of superb lines and performance attracts enthusiast and collectors alike to the model, in much the same way as it did a quarter of a century ago.

Ce 4.7 coupe en vente aujourd'hui fut transformée par des professionnelles en un spider par le spécialiste Maserati Campani basée ˆ Modena en Italie. Jusqu'au mois dernier, elle connu bon nombres de travaux de restauration. Cette voiture reste une des plus belle Maserati sur la route. Sa combinaison entre superbes lignes et performance attire les enthousiastes et les collectionneurs de nos jours comme il y a plus de 25 ans.

Further information available from auctions@coys.co.uk