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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 enricomaserati@btinternet.com
 
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YOU ARE NOW ON PAGE 238

 
 
 
 
From Italy
 
SERGIO PININFARINA DIES AT 86
 

3rd July 2012: Sergio Pininfarina, the Turin coachbuilder who was a historical figure in the automobile world, passed away last night.

Sergio Farina was born in Turin on the 8th September 1926. In September 2005, he was appointed Senator for life by Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, President of the Republic, having been president of Confindustria from 1988 to 1992.

In 1950, he gained a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Polytechnic of Turin in 1950, and began his career at his father's workshop Carrozzeria Pinin Farina. In 1960 he was appointed Director General, and as managing director in 1961. When his father died in 1966, he was appointed President of the company, and in 2006 became Honorary Life President.

Amongst his many charges was that of President of the Editrice La Stampa from 2004 to 2008 and a board member of Ferrari from 1969 to 2011. He has been conferred with four honorary degrees.

The son of Battista 'Pinin' Farina and cousin of F1 world champion Nino Farina, Sergio Pininfarina sadly passed away tonight at his home in Turin. By his bedside until the end were his wife Giorgia and children Lorenza and Paolo.

The board of directors and the company - said in a note - "We gather around the family in the undying memory of Sergio Pininfarina the entrepreneurial figure who led this company for many years with a sure hand taking it out into the business world, in the wake of a tradition of elegance and style constantly updated with the most high-standard technological innovation and harmonious beauty. Sergio Pininfarina has brought success to the company inherited from his father, Pinin, the elegance of bodywork created and, especially for their cutting-edge design, that ensured a continued success of the Pininfarina brand, now recognized the world over."
 
 
 
 
 
From Enrico in the UK
 
PHOTOS FROM www.gtsprint.com
 

"Well Officers, and I know you're going to find it hard to believe, it was like this.

My friend and I, me in my Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale and he in his Aston Martin Vanquish, were travelling along in this built-up area at 49 Km/h. We were off to meet our friend with his Ferrari 458 Italia. As I approached the crossing, I braked hard to let the elderly gentleman and his dear wife cross the road. Unfortunately my dear friend careered into me sending me into that lamp post, which shouldn't have been there in the first place !!

So you can see it was all the fault of that lamp post !! I've written my detailed statement in this bulging brown envelope, and I'm sure you will find everything in order and to your satisfaction !!"
 
©GTSprint.com
 ©GTSprint.com
 
©GTSprint.com
 ©GTSprint.com
 

Photos courtesy of www.gtsprint.com
 
 
 
 
 
From Maserati Corse in Italy
 
THE MASERATI TROFEO MC WORLD SERIES
 

ROUND THREE

23rd and 24th June - Imola, Italy

RACE ONE - Lorenzini: a winning Trofeo debut at Imola

Luca Lorenzini took an unexpected win in his first Maserati Trofeo MC World Series outing. The young driver from Mantova claimed Race 1, of three, at Imola in this third round of the championship. Lorenzini will not be awarded any series points as he is appearing as one of Maserati’s guest drivers; he is paired with the Autosprint director, Alberto Sabbatini.
 
©Maserati
 ©Maserati
 

The 30-minute race was held in steamy conditions and the temperature rose even higher with the action taking place on the track. Monaco-based Cedric Sbirrazzuoli, Belgian Renaud Kuppens and Alan Simoni put on a great show of overtaking.

Sbirrazzuoli started on pole after securing the slot in this morning’s qualifying and managed to hold off Simoni for a good while. Unluckily for Simoni, his race came to an end on lap eleven when he veered off the track while attacking. Making the most of things was Lorenzini who beat Sbirrazzuoli and Renaud Kuppens, both in the Team series, across the finish line. Coming home fourth was Stefano Garelli as he took the last podium position in the Overall category. Garelli is also top of the Trofeo standings; a fine way to celebrate a return to Imola after 26 years.

Giuseppe Fascicolo deserves a mention for his superb comeback in climbing from last place, for changing his tyres, to seventh spot.

Luca Lorenzini: “I am speechless: I was up against drivers with international experience and I won! Yesterday I tried to get to know the car and I set the second best time. I struggled a bit in the race but then settled into a rhythm and stuck to the leaders. I made the most of a few clashes to close the gap even more and then move into the lead. Luck was on my side but I think I did well too”.

RACE 1
1. Luca Lorenzini/Alberto Sabbatini 30:44.617**
2. AF Corse – Cedric Sbirrazzuoli/Alessandro Chionna 30:50.872*
3. Konvex Motorsport – Renaud Kuppens 30:52.122*
4. Stefano Garelli – 30:52.404

*in the Team series ** not awarded series points
 

RACES TWO AND THREE

Riccardo Ragazzi takes Race 2, and Kuppens Race 3.
Kuppens leads in the Trofeo Maserati

Renaud Kuppens, representing Konvex Motorsport, leads the Overall standings in the Maserati Trofeo MC World Series thanks to a win and two third places at Imola.

Twenty-five Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeos took to the track for the third round of the season, with 36 drivers from 12 countries taking part. The races were exciting with three different drivers taking top spots: guest driver Luca Lorenzini, in Race 1 on Saturday afternoon - he did not pick up any points meaning the win went to AF Corse’s Cedric Sbirrazzuoli. Riccardo Ragazzi was first in Race 2 this morning and Kuppens in Race 3, in the 50-minute endurance event.

Riccardo Ragazzi, appearing for the first time in the Maserati single-make series, secured the day’s first race. He crossed the line ahead of Giorgio Sernagiotto and Renaud Kuppens. The early stages saw Romagnoli in aggressive form as he tried, without any luck, to overtake the Belgian. Sernagiotto made the most of the duel to attack and get past the Italian to move into third place. Things were decided on lap 11, in the stretch of track between Piratella and Acque Minerali, when Sernagiotto pulled up alongside Kuppens and edged ahead of him. Romagnoli also tried to get by but Kuppens defended his position. The two clashed and the Italian ended up in a spin. Romagnoli’s race was over but, fortunately, Kuppens was able to continue. From there to the chequered flag things remained unchanged meaning that Riccardo Ragazzi topped the podium followed by Sernagiotto and Kuppens. Max Pigoli, making his debut in the Swiss Team Trofeo, came fourth, ahead of Venier and Garelli.
 
©Maserati
 ©Maserati
 

The endurance race, held in the afternoon, saw Kuppens build an early lead. Things were much tighter in this event starting from the clash between Max Pigoli and Alan Simoni not long after the start. The young driver from Ferrara came off worst and slipped to last spot but did amazingly well to climb back up to sixth by the driver change.

It was non-stop action in the 50-minute race: Pigoli was slapped with a stop-and-go for a false start, as was Ragazzi for coming into contact with Sernagiotto just after the compulsory pit stop. Luca Lorenzini, sharing the drive with Autosprint director Alberto Sabbatini, was forced out with a suspension problem when fighting for a leading spot. Stefano Garelli also bowed out when in second, just a few curves before the finish. The race also saw the AF Corse crew of Sbirrazzuoli/Chionna lose ground because of a drive-through imposed by race officials for not respecting the pit-stop time limit.

In the end it was Kuppens who dominated: he finished 58’’ up on the second-placed car crewed by Andrea Dromedari/Max Pigoli. Third across the line were Simoni/Ragazzi and then came a surprising Bakker/Serafino, who had started from the back of the grid. In fifth were Fascicolo/Sernagiotto whose transmission problems cost them a podium place and saw the series lead taken by Kuppens.

Riccardo Ragazzi: “I tried to set the pace at the start of Race 2 and build a lead. The drivers chasing me were quick and I hoped that they would get into a private battle but they kept right on my tail. Kuppens closed in but then dropped back again, depending on the section of track we were on. Luckily for me, Sernagiotto started hounding him and the fight between the two allowed me to create a gap. I started pushing on, as I did in qualifying. I had a bit of trouble with the back markers towards the end but then took an encouraging win”.

Renaud Kuppens: “I tried to give my all right from the start in the afternoon race. I stepped on the gas and tried to build an advantage. My only concern was how to deal with the back markers; this morning I missed out on second because of the drivers at the back of the field. Luckily it didn’t happen again, 40 minutes in, I relaxed. Thanks to this win I now lead the Overall standings”.

Highlights of all the weekend’s action will be shown at 1.00 on Eurosport, during the ‘Motorsport Weekend’ programme. At 13.00 on Thursday 28 June, Eurosport 2 will broadcast a 26-minute highlights package.

Round 4 in the Maserati Trofeo MC World Series is scheduled for 22 July at Paul Ricard, France.

RACE 2
1. Riccardo Ragazzi/Alan Simoni 30:24.395
2. Giorgio Sernagiotto/Giuseppe Fascicolo 30:26.955
3. Konvex Motorsport - Renaud Kuppens 30:29.310*

RACE 3
1. Konvex Motorsport - Renaud Kuppens 50:53.319*
2. Swiss Team - Andrea Dromedari/Max Pigoli 51:51.383*
3. Alan Simoni/Riccardo Ragazzi 52:04.498

*in the Team standings

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION
1. Konvex Motorsport - Renaud Kuppens 105 points
3. Giorgio Sernagiotto/Giuseppe Fascicolo 85 points
4. Simoni/Ragazzi – 84 points

TROFEO CLASSIFICATION
1. Simoni/Ragazzi – 109 points
2. Fascicolo/Sernagiotto – 104 points
3. Venier/Gardelli – 70 points

TEAM CLASSIFICATION
1. Konvex Motorsport (Wasczinski/Kuppens) – 214 points
2. AF Corse (Sbirrazzuoli/Chionna) – 122 points
3. Swiss Team (Dromedari) – 113 points
 
Text and photos courtesy of Maserati Media Center
 
 
 
 
 
From Newspress in the UK
 
BULGARI OCTO MASERATI SPECIAL EDITION
 

Precision, performance, style, elegance: the Octo Maserati special series combines the values shared by the two Houses.

Refinement, prestige, innovation and sheer emotion reach the top when two of the world's most prestigious Italian brands combine their founding values. Bulgari and Maserati have chosen to share their ideals, now admirably epitomised in the Octo Maserati.
 

The Bulgaro Octo Maserati Special Edition
 
 

This creation merges the expertise inherent in each of the two firms, based on a broad range of shared references: precision, performance, expertise, style and elegance. Their parallel histories have been marked, each in its respective field, by innovations that have modified the very perception and definition of Luxury. Octo Maserati expresses the quintessence of a fully shared vision of excellence.

A refined mechanical heart

This model is inspired by a longstanding and resolutely future-oriented tradition. Embodying a quest for excellence and technical sophistication, the pursuit of performance and style, the Octo Maserati is powered by an Haute Horlogerie movement representing a refined mechanical heart: Calibre GG7800. It remains unique in its kind within the exclusive circle of complicated mechanisms thanks to the extremely graphic layout of the various displays providing the time-measurement information.
 

 
 
 

In addition to the jumping hour displayed through a window at 12 o'clock, this Manufacture-made movement lines up four retrograde displays of the minutes, date and chronograph hour and minute counters, a mechanism developed and produced within the Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Bulgari in Le Sentier. The central chronograph seconds hand is unusually positioned at 6 o'clock, a choice that ensures it never covers the hour indication. This traditionally built calibre with chronograph functions controlled by a column wheel is treated to finishes characteristic of high-end horological excellence.

High-precision machine

This exceptional "motor" is housed within an imposing 45 mm-diameter steel case. The two start/stop and reset chronograph pushers, respectively positioned at 2 and 4 o'clock, are perfectly integrated into the caseband so as to form a complete side. This construction is in harmony with the fundamental lines of the octagon-shaped design, discreetly framing the crown. Everything about this high-precision machine reflects the fundamental principles of the two Houses. The technical Haute Horlogerie pedigree of the Octo Maserati perfectly matches the spirit that guides the creations of the prestigious carmaker.

The model features a tachometric scale on the bezel, and the dial evokes the distinctive radiator grille of the speed machines emerging from the Modena workshops. This highly sophisticated part is crafted in-house using the champlevé technique. It calls for a number of successive stages – carving out the cavities destined to be accommodate the lacquer, varnishing, rubbing down the surfaces and annealing the lacquer, as well as polishing – required to create a completely unique dial.

The display of the various read-off zones creates a beautifully structured overall effect associating blue surfaces with zones featuring snailed and satin-brushed finishes, arranged to provide a 60-minute graduated chapter ring at 12 o'clock, a date scale at 6 o'clock, and chronograph hour and minute counters at 9 and 3 o'clock respectively. The calfskin strap picks up the design codes of the car seat upholstery produced in Modena, while the entire model is graced with Maserati's alternating silvery and blue colours.

This exclusive creation is issued in a special series bearing the Maserati Trident symbol on its transparent caseback. With its harmonious design and perfectly balanced proportion Octo Maserati is synonymous with passion of the kind that tolerates no compromise.

TECHNICAL DATA

MOVEMENT: Mechanical self-winding Calibre GG7800, integrated column-wheel chronograph, "aged gold" décor, 45 jewels
Frequency: 21,600 vph (3Hz)
Power reserve: 38 hours

FUNCTIONS: Jumping hour, retrograde minutes and date, central chronograph seconds hand, retrograde chronograph hour and minute counters at 3 and 9 o'clock.

CASE: Steel case, 45 mm in diameter, brushed steel bezel with tachometric scale, scratch-resistant glareproofed sapphire crystal, transparent sapphire caseback adorned with the Maserati Trident symbol.

DIAL: Finely crafted champlevé blue-lacquered dial, hand-applied inner bezel ring, snailed chronograph hour and minute counters, satin-brushed minute counter.

WATER RESISTANCE: 100 metres.

STRAP: Calfskin strap fitted with a steel triple-blade safety-fastening folding clasp.

The price for the Bulgari Octo Maserati Special Edition is around US $30,000.

Text and images courtesy of Maserati
 
 
 
 
 
From Enrico in the UK
 
MASERATI RESTORATION PROJECTS
 

Maseratisti,

Many of you will have noticed the appreciation in the value of classic Maseratis that has taken place over the past couple of years.

The acknowledgement of the excellent value that a classic Maserati now represents when compared to that of its "equivalent" Ferrari, this, added to the interest now shown in the marque by a generation of new Maserati owners, who having learned about Maserati's historic past and are now also buying the classic models, has contributed to this increase in their value.

But, let's not "beat about the bush", modern day restoration is an expensive business, and the cost of repairs and restoration is not helped by the scarecity and therefore high prices being asked for some used parts. Fortunately, there are companies out there who are now producing re-manufactured parts which are a "godsend" to today's owners.

Thanks to the increase in the value of these cars, restoration projects that were assumed to be far too expensive a proposition, are now proving to be a more feasible venture. That is not to say that everyone buys a classic Maserati to make profit, although I'm sure there must be a few who do. Most have a passion for the marque, and a desire to own one of their fabulous machines. That said, it must be reassuring to any owner to know that they will eventually recover some, if not all, of their considerable outlay.

When I see the terrible condition of some sadly neglected classic Maseratis, I sense that it must surely be a great source of pride and satisfacion in seeing that Maserati re-born as the car it once was when it left the showroom those many years ago, and the sheer pleasure of driving one of these beautiful, yet very powerful, automobiles on the open road !

But, just bear this in mind, a competent restoration is not always the recommended route. Yes I know it all depends on the depth of one's pocket, but entrusting your restoration to one of the acknowledged Maserati experts; Bill McGrath Limited in the UK, Garage du Tridente in France, and of course Giuseppe Candini of Modena, Carrozzeria Campana of Modena and Franco Tralli of Bomporto in Italy, may seem expensive, but look how often you see their names mentioned in the auctioneer's catalogue when a classic Maserati comes up for sale. There must be a reason, and that reason is a world-wide reputation for expertise and craftsmanship of the highest quality.

Here are two examples of Maseratis that with a lot of tender loving care, a few thousand quid and in the right hands, could be transformed into concours winning cars.
 

A MASERATI INDY AMERICA 4700
 

A quick touch-up !!
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

Some re-Chroming work !!
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

A re-upholstered interior !!
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

Possibly an engine check-over ??
 
 

 
 
 

Overhaul and source a few parts !!
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

Further details from GULLWING MOTOR CARS of Astoria, NY, USA.
 

A MASERATI MISTRAL 4000 COUPE
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

Further details from GULLWING MOTOR CARS of Astoria, NY, USA.
 
 
 
 
 
From Kevin in the USA
 
MASERATI KHAMSIN #AM120*US*1058*
 

"Hello,

First, I wish to thank you for all the work you put into helping other owners buy and sell their Maserati cars. It must be a true labor of love.

I owned a 1975 Maserati Khamsin ( AM120*US*1058* ) that I sold about 4 years ago. The sale was handled by the shop that restored the car. I know the car was sold into Switzerland, but that is all I know.

There is some information on the US Khamsin Registry listed for this car. The car is Black with Chocolate Brown seats. The seat inserts are done in Ostrid Skin. I set the car up as a 2 seater, similar to a Ghilbi. I used the luggage area cover from a Mistral to cover the rear compartment.

I would like to locate the car, and the owner to engage in some discussion about buying the car back. I have contacted the Swiss Maserati Club, but they have not responded as yet.

It took a couple of days searching various computers, but I came up with some pictures of the car. I have attached them, but I do not have a picture of the VIN plate.

Just so you know what you are seeing in the pictures.

1977 Black Khamsin.

Interior is done in chocolate leather with Butterscotch Orstrid skin inserts.

Has OEM Blaupunkt Berliner Radio with matching Graphic Equalizer Head.

Steering wheel was custom made from Gabon Ebony........ tons of other stuff that are unique to this car.

If you need anything else, let me know.

Thanks for all your help.

Regards and thank you,

Kevin."
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

If anyone knows the whereabouts of #AM120*US*1058*, please email me at enricomaserati@btinternet.com, thank you.
 
 
 
 
 
From Philippe in Belgium
 
MASERATI SHAMAL
 

"Ciao Enrico,

I am sending you an excellent article on the fabulous Maserati Shamal, taken from the April 1992 issue of the Italian motoring magazine "Auto Capital". The article is aptly named "Via col vento" ( Away with the wind ).

Philippe."
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 

Philippe also sent me details of a road test for the Biturbo 425 and Biturbo S that appeared in the June 1984 issue of Quattroruote.

Thank you Philippe,

Enrico.
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

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