Maserati Enthusiasts' Page

The Enthusiasts' Page

- YOU ARE NOW ON PAGE 78
	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 the 2005 Maserati Quattroporte

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





From Leonardo in Italy "Ciao Enrico, I love my Daddy, and he loves me. Look what he gave me for Christmas!! Leonardo."





From Malcolm in the UK Malcolm has sent me these interesting photos of a new Maserati. They more or less confirm the 'unconfirmed' rumours of a new Mini Maserati Spyder, and Maserati's stringent new road testing policy that includes the recommended procedure to be taken by owners in the unlikely event of a breakdown.





The photo shows Malcolm's 19 month old Grandson putting the the 4200 Spyder through its paces during testing. You will observe from the first photograph the extreme concentration needed by prospective owners when handling such a powerful motor car.





From Philip in Australia "Hi, I would like to inform all Maserati owners that I have sourced new climate control Original touch membrains (see attached) for the 1980/1990 model Maseratis that are not available from the Maserati Parts Dept (as a seperate part) saving them Hundreds of $$££. Cost AU $299.00 or GB £127.00 plus postage and packing. I am not a dealer of any other spare parts. (Maserati owner) Regards, Philip George - herbieone@optusnet.com.au."



Owners, Whilst an interesting and useful source, owners should bear in mind that a faulty touch pad is NOT always the cause of your air-con/heating problems. However once the touch pad is established as the cause, this is definitely a useful source. However, if you are going to hang on to your 1980/1990 model Maserati for a long time, sooner or later you will probably need one!! Enrico."





From Rob in the USA I saw this very nice Ghibli SS for sale on eBay and wrote to Rob asking his permission to publish his photos, and this was his reply. "Re: My Maserati Ghibli SS That would be fine Enrico. Please put my email address rpeacock2@cox.net if you like. Thank you, Rob."

1973 Maserati Ghibli SS

Left-hand drive. Mileage: 21,620 miles. Chassis/VIN Number: AM115/492078. Transmission: Manual. Engine: 4.9-litre V-8. Exterior: Metallic Blue. Interior: Black leather. Options: Air Conditioning - Power Windows . This is it. Just purchased from a private collection. One owner since new. 21,620 original miles. Very late car that has always been stored inside. Original title in the first owner's name. Original paint that is still in excellent condition. Typical stress cracks here and there, no rust, beautiful original interior. The seats probably have been recovered because they are too nice. All books, original sales invoice from Bob Grossman, original shop manual, tools, jack roll still in the original paper wrapping. Two sets of keys with the old Maserati key fobs. Mechanically superb, ie: great oil pressure, no smoke, clutch, synchros like new. Spare has never been on the ground. Even has all the original smog eguipment intact. Everything works, gauges, lights etc. If you are looking to add a 4.9-litre Ghibli to your collection I can't imagine finding a better one. If I wasn't in the business of selling these cars I would love to keep this one. A car like this comes along very rarely. Any questions feel free to call Rob Peacock at +1 240 676 8760.





JOHNNY HERBERT AND MASERATI GB PRESENT THE TROFEO AUDEMARS PIGUET MASERATI EUROPE 2006 Johnny Herbert was the guest of honour at the London launch of the Trofeo Audemars Piguet Maserati Europe 2006.

The HR Owen showroom in South Kensington, London		Johnny Herbert arrives at the HR Owen showroom in a Maserati Quattroporte

The launch took place at HR Owen Sports Cars in London, in front of 200 selected guests, who were able to admire the Maserati Trofeo GranSport which was raced at Silverstone during the F1 Grand Prix Weekend by Johnny Herbert and supermodel Jodie Kidd. The Audemars Piguet Dual Time Millenary Maserati watches, which were designed to celebrate Maserati 90 years of history and the collaboration between the two companies on the racing front, were also on display.

HR Owen Sports Cars General Manager Tim Kearns, Maserati GB Managing Director Andrea Antonnicola and Johnny Herbert

Andrea Antonnicola, Managing Director of Maserati GB Ltd, commented "The Trofeo Audemars Piguet Maserati Europe is a fantastic race series which takes place on Europe’s most famous circuits. It’s a great opportunity to compete at international level, in a glamorous and extremely well organised setting, where the drivers and their sponsors can enjoy the exclusive Maserati hospitality."

Johnny Herbert and a 2005 Maserati Trofeo GranSport		Johnny Herbert and Jodie Kidd and the Trofeo GranSport at Silverstone

Johnny Herbert, who joined Maserati in 2004 when the company returned to international motor racing with the MC12 in the FIA GT Championship, was one of the VIP drivers who were invited to race in the Trofeo Maserati in 2005. "The organisation of the Trofeo Maserati Championship is truly superb," he said. "You are looked after from the moment you arrive at the circuit, finding your car perfectly prepared and ready to go. I hope they will invite me again to race with Jodie next year!." TROFEO AUDEMARS PIGUET MASERATI EUROPE The Trofeo Audemars Piguet Maserati Europe is the one-make race championship organised by Maserati for Gentlemen Drivers, staged at some of Europe’s most prestigious circuits. A grid of up to 22 Trofeo GranSports will make their 2006 debut at Monza in April, with the last chequered flag falling at Valencia in October. There are seven races in total, plus a World Final event for the leading drivers in the series. The Trofeo GranSport is a lightened and tuned race version of the showroom GranSport coupe, punching out 425hp and reaching a top speed of over 180mph. The 2006 edition of the Trofeo Maserati Europe retains the distinctive elements that have made it such a success in the past. Not the least of these has been the appearance of various ex-Formula One drivers in the series, including Johnny Herbert, Tiff Needell, Ivan Capelli and Ralph Firman during 2005, who all shared a drive with supermodel Jodie Kidd. For 2006 Maserati has improved some of the features that make competing in this one-make Championship such a unique pleasure. For instance, 60-minute endurance races have been introduced - these will increase the time drivers spend behind the wheel of their Trofeo GranSports. The mandatory pit stops have been retained, but time penalties and bonuses have been added to keep the races open and raise the excitement right through to the end of the season. The Trofeo Maserati Europe provides the Gentleman Driver with the privilege of arriving at the circuit to find his race car waiting for him in perfect condition, with his own mechanic, track engineer and all other arrangements in place. Clothing is also provided. Each Trofeo event takes place over a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The first two days are for practice sessions and qualifying rounds, the race itself taking place on Sunday and organised as a mini-endurance event with a mandatory pit stop. Accommodation in four star hotels is also provided, as are tyres, fuel and other consumables over the race weekend. THE COMPETITION PACKAGE INCLUDES: Entry to the championship which includes seven races and four test days before and during the season. Use of a car for the race weekend. Tyres, fuel and any other consumable materials during the race weekend. Parts and labour for servicing the car during the race weekend. A mechanic at every race. A head mechanic for every six cars. A technical director. Accommodation for the Friday and Saturday night for the driver and a companion. Dinner on Friday and Saturday, lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for drivers and their guests. Use of the hospitality motorhome. Race kit (overalls, boots etc). Track clothing for the driver. Use of a spare car (depending on availability) in case of accidents where repairs cannot be made in a reasonable time. Comprehensive vehicle accident damage insurance with excess (up to EURO 8,000.00 for the first accident, up to EURO 10,000.00 for the second and up to EURO 12,000.00 after that). The cost for the 2006 season (seven races plus four test days) is EURO 130,000.00 (+ taxes and/or legal charges). The cost for an additional driver, sharing, is EURO 15,000.00 for the whole season or EURO 3,000.00 for a single race. The Maserati final is upon invitation only and will be charged separately. Vodafone Trofeo Maserati Europa 2006 - Provisional calendar. 1 - 02 April Monza (I) - WTCC 2 - 07 May Silverstone (UK) - FIA GT 3 - 28 May Brno (CZ) - FIA GT 4 - 02 July Oschersleben (D) - FIA GT 5 - 29 July Spa (BE) - FIA GT (24h) 6 - 17 September Imola (RSM) - FIA GT 7 - 08 October Valencia (E) - WTCC 8 - Maserati Final – TBC Drivers can also display their sponsors’ logos on the specified areas of the car (bonnet, boot, rear licence plate). However, these sponsors must not in any way clash with the official Trofeo ones. For entries completed by 31st Dewcember 2005, drivers may choose the basic single colour of their car. After this date any colour requests will incur in an additional fee of € 15,000.00. MASERATI TROFEO GRANSPORT Overview The Maserati Trofeo GranSport is the racing version of the Maserati GranSport. Built at the Maserati factory in Modena on the same production line as the GranSport road car, the Trofeo GranSport was designed to offer the competitor an easy-to-drive car that is rapid enough to more than stir the emotions on the race track. The 4244cc V8 engine produces 425hp compared to the 400hp of the GranSport in a car that weighs 240kg less than the production car. The V8 is coupled to the six-speed Cambiocorsa transmission of the standard road car, which allows the driver to make the most of the power without compromising the torque. The car’s ride height has also been reduced by 50mm, lowering its centre-of-gravity and improving its handling. Technical specifications ENGINE: Total displacement: 4244 cc. Maximum power: 425 hp at 7,200 rpm. Maximum torque: 460 Nm/ 340 lb ft at 4,500 rpm. SIZES AND WEIGHT: Length: 4523 mm (178.1 in) Width: 1822 mm (71.7 in) Height: 1305 mm (51.4 in) Wheelbase: 2660 mm (104.7 in) Front track: 1525 mm (60.0 in) Rear track: 1538 mm (60.5) Front wheel rims: 9 x 18 in Rear wheel rims: 10 x 18 in Fuel tank: 100 litres (21.9 imp. gallons) Dry weight: 1340 kg (3014 lb) PERFORMANCE: Top speed: over 180 mph CAR SET-UP In adapting the road car for the track, the engineers concentrated on various aspects. As with all competition cars, the engineers have worked hard to reduce weight, optimise the performance of the tyres (thanks to the tests conducted in collaboration with Pirelli from the earliest days of the project), the brakes, suspension and the gearbox, toughening them up for intense and prolonged use on the track. The car has been prepared in line with FIA regulations for participation in the GT championship, though the decision was taken not to make the modifications too extreme. The car has also been re-worked to ensure that it can be built on the standard Maserati production line. The dry weight is 1340kg compared to the 1580kg of the standard model. This reduction was achieved through extensive work to remove all non-essential fittings in the interior and some from the exterior. The air conditioning unit was removed, as was the sound proofing and various smaller items. This work brought about a significant weight reduction. The side windows were also substituted with plexiglass panels, and the sound damping material was removed from the bonnet. Like the road going version, the Maserati Trofeo GranSport is fitted with an F1 type gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddles – the system is called Cambiocorsa. The ‘Sport’ setting used for the gearbox allows gearchanges to be made in less than 150 milliseconds. Some software parameters have been modified in order to optimise the response, for example, to improve the effect of engine braking. The oil pump’s output has been increased for the rigours of competition, while the set-up of the differential has been altered to maker the car easier to manage on race tyres, and more fun to drive. Making the vehicle as safe as possible was one of the main priorities: only the highest quality and best performing components were used. The clearest evidence of this is in the braking system and the roll-over bar. Brembo brake components have been used - during the FIA GT Championship they have consistently provided reliable braking and unparalleled resistance to fade. To guarantee the highest levels of crash safety in the cabin, the Maserati Trofeo GranSport is equipped with an OMP roll-cage that conforms to FIA regulations, an automatic extinguisher, an anatomic seat with a six-point safety belt and an FIA approved secure fuel tank of a type usually found only on aircraft. A lot of time was spent on the track during the Maserati Trofeo project, with the engineers aiming to achieve a reliable yet high performing set-up on all types of circuit. They focused most of their attention on the suspension. The flexible joints were removed, some elements were redesigned and the shock absorbers were modified - thanks to the collaboration of Sachs. The springs, now specially calibrated, were adjusted, reducing the ride height by around 50 millimetres. All the cars have identical engines with certified torque and power. The only changes to the V8 have been made to suit the track: the car now sports a revised exhaust system to bring it up to FIA levels; a track-ready oil sump and a reworked ignition and injection system. NEW MAIN SPONSORS FOR THE 2006 SEASON K.H. Kalbfell and G.H. Meylan beside the new Trofeo GranSport Audemars Piguet Audemars Piguet will be the new main sponsor of the Trofeo Maserati 2006. The series will take on the name Trofeo Audemars Piguet Maserati Europa. Karl-Heinz Kalbfell and Georges-Henri Meylan, Chief Executives of, respectively, Maserati and Audemars Piguet, signed a new sponsorship and partnership contract today in Modena. The famous Swiss watchmakers will now go on working closely with the Trident company. As part of the agreement, Audemars Piguet will also continue to be official supplier of Maserati cars that compete in GT categories. More details about the Trofeo Maserati Europe can be found at www.maseraticorse.it. For further information, please contact: Silvia Pini Head of Communications Maserati GB Ltd Tel 01753 878 705 Fax 01753 878 770 Mob. 07764 157270 e-mail: spini@maserati.co.uk





From Maciek in Poland "Dear Henry, More photos on the progress of our 3500GT. With best regards, Maciek."





From Henny in the UK "Dear Henry, Thought you might like to publish these three photographs of the OSCA Mt4 that I took back in 1999 at the International Maserati Rally held in the grounds of Goodwood House. Regards, Henny."

This version is fitted with motorcycle type wings

		Note the larger headlamps for Le Mans.





From Beau in the USA My Quattroporte I 1a serie "Thank you very much. You have my full permission. Best regards, Beau."

1965 MASERATI Quattroporte Ia

Chassis number: AM107318 Year: 1965. Miles: 60,000. Engine: 8-Cyl. Doors: 4 doors or more. Transmission: Manual. Exterior: Blue. Interior: Red leather. This Maserati has been owned and enjoyed by me for the last 18 years. It is in excellent overall condition, with absolutely no mechanical or electrical problems. It starts, runs and drives perfectly. Power windows and power antenna are smooth and fast. The period push-button AM/FM Panasonic radio works fine. All instruments, switches and lights are working. The robust air conditioning is fully charged and blows cold. The original dash clock has a quartz movement. Never wrecked or damaged. Recent service and maintenance upgrades include: New clutch and pressure plate. All calipers, master and slave cylinders rebuilt and brass sleeved by Whitepost Restorations. All new brake pads. All new radiator hoses; hydraulic hoses; belts; fuel, oil and air filters. Crane Cams electronic ignition; new Marelli cap; Bosch blue coil. Facet solid-state fuel pumps; adjustable fuel regulator. Pirelli P6 'Cinturato' tyres. Body panels are very straight, and panel gaps are excellent: no dings, scratches or chips and no rust. Older paint job has excellent gloss, very smooth and shiny. Chrome is good for its age. Tinted glass is excellent. Cosmetics are very presentable. The interior carpet is in good condition. Only one spot between the driver seat and embossed rubber mat on the floor has wear. Leather upholstery has been repaired on both front seat bottoms and left rear seat bottom (shown in photo), also on driver seat back and rear corner of the right rear door. Leather shows wear, but has no cracks or rips. It is in good usable condition. Car comes with all 5 keys, owner's manual, parts manual and original lug wrench. Also included, for an exact restoration, are both original Euro headlights w/bulbs, original fuel filter/regulator and both rear deck scripts ("Maserati 4000" and "Quattroporte"). This is one of only 200 early series I cars. They are distinguished by rectangular headlights and the expensive deDion rear suspension. These cars were assembled with the highest quality components and fasteners available at the time. The build quality is extraordinary. Their reputation, over the years, for reliability and durability is well deserved. This is a completely roadworthy car, ready to drive away. Current PA state inspection. For a good history of the design and specifications, visit the 'Enrico's Maserati Pages' website: www.maserati-indy.co.uk/alfieri65.htm.

This rare Quattroporte is presently for sale on eBay.





From Gerry in the USA "Hello: I have just gotten word that the entire staff (executive director, event manager, and the coordinator) has tendered their resignation at Concorso Italiano (www.concorso.com). It appears the new owner is not treating them or the legendary event well. 2006 should be very interesting. It is a shame that such a wonderful event has been purchased by someone who appears doesn't appreciate or understand the beauty of celebrating exotic cars. Greed and ego are aweful beasts. I am withdrawing my exhibitor registration at Concorso and going to Quail instead next year. Thank you, Gerry."





MORE FOR THE ENTHUSIAST