Maserati Enthusiasts' Page

The Enthusiasts' Page
	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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From Jean in France

MASERATI MODELLER

Jean has been collecting and making models since 1989, "I do it just for pleasure, it is my pastime". His collection is made up of 349 Ferraris and 83 Maseratis. At the present time, he is working on a Maserati GranCabrio Sport with information gained from Enrico's site Page 218, and by Googling "Maserati GranCabrio Sport". He assembles kits, when they become available, or by transforming a car of a similar design. His Maserati collection includes five 5000 GTs (scale 1/43), the Maserati A6G 2000 by Pietro Frua (#2180), the A6GCS Berlinetta by Pinin Farina (#2059), my favourite Maserati, and the A6 1500 by Pinin Farina. His latest car is the Maserati GranCabrio Sport ! This model has been made from a diecast Maserati GranTurismo purchased at a newspaper kiosk for the princely sum of 5 Euro. "I have cut the top section, and converted it into hood. For the interior, I have been as realistic as possible. Visible are: seats and door panels painted with white and grey as in the photos on your Website, Page 218, blue panel instruments, on the central console the GPS screen and various knobs, "Gran Cabrio Sport" on the glove box, Maserati Trident logos on head-rests, gear knob and gear lever, door handles, loudspeakers, pedals, safety belts, "poussoirs des sièges avant" ( 4 front seat ungamming in English ?) under head rests, carpet and many other details not visible in the photos... About 80 hours to convert the car. I am very proud to have this model in my collection because I am probably (surely!) the only one in the world to have it at the present time. This version is too new to have been modelled. Of course, in the future, it will be available on the market !" Oh!, and did I mention, Jean is 88 years young !!

Maserati GranCabrio Sport by Pininfarina









Maserati A6GCS Berlinetta by Pinin Farina



Maserati A6 1500 by Pinin Farina



Maserati 5000GT by Pietro Frua and Michelotti		Maserati 5000GT by Touring, Allemano and Pinin Farina

Maserati 5000GT by Pietro Frua		Maserati 5000GT by Michelotti

Maserati 5000GT by Carrozzeria Touring		Maserati 5000GT by Allemano

Maserati 5000GT by Pinin Farina

Maserati A6G 2000 Spyder by Pietro Frua






From www.gtsprint.com

MASERATI QUATTROPORTE

According to a report by www.gtsprint.com, Italy's Ministry of Defence is about to take delivery of 19 armoured Maserati Quattroporte. The Quattroporte are said to be Sport GT S models, powered by the 4.7-litre engine producing 434 bhp. The report goes on to say that each car weighs around 3,300kg, and has a price of over EURO 200,000, giving Sig Berlusconi's new state fleet a value of around EURO 3,800,000 !! And please don't mention that budget deficit at a time like this !!






From Thomas in Norway

MASERATI ROYALE

One of the rarest models to to be produced by Maserati during the De Tomase era was the Royale. Only 53 models were produced between 1987 and 1990, and, only nine of these were fitted with manual transmission. The Royale is a super luxurious saloon based on the Quattroporte III. Thomas, the owner of AM330/49A005958, has very kindly sent me a number of photos demonstrating the luxurious interior finishings of his Royale. In some cases, the interior rear compartment was customised to the particular customer's needs. Back in 2007, I had the pleasure of travelling to the Spa-Francorchamps circuit for SpaItalia in a Quattroporte III and was surprised by the power and excellent road holding capabilities of what is after all a very big car. On the return journey, I was given the opportunity to drive it. A very special treat, and the look on the faces of some drivers as this huge beast swept past them was a joy to behold. Enrico. "Hello Enrico, Only rain, so I took some picuteres in my garage. If not good, you just tell me and I take some new when it is sun again... or rather if it is sunny again ...... I think the differences from a standard Quattroporte III and the Royale are: Factory fitted electric sun roof Royale boot badge Deeper side rocker panels The wheel rims now have hub caps incorporating the Maserati Trident logo The dashboard included the classic Maserati analogue clock The rear doors incorporated folding tabels Cup holders tucked in alongside the front seats behind the "B" pillars More leather and thicker sound insulation Different exhaust tail pipes The engine rocker covers are painted red Some engine tuning with power ouput up from 280 bhp at 5,600 rpm to 300 bhp at 5,600 rpm. And also maybe a different air conditioning system (Biturbo air/con control panel) ? Best from Thomas."

Maserati Royale #AM330/49A005958







Maserati Royale #AM330/49A005958

		Note the Biturbo air/con control panel











The electric sun roof		The gold Lasalle analogue clock





The Campagnolo alloy wheels		Campagnolo became "Tecnomagnesio" in 1981

The 4.9-litre V8 produces 300 bhp at 5,600 rpm		The red painted rocker covers






From Giuseppe in Switzerland

MASERATI GHIBLI GT ON TRACK

"Hi Enrico, Please find two pictures of a recent track day in France with the Ghibli GT and my youngster aboard. Take care, Giuseppe."

Giuseppe and the guv'nor take to the track in the Ghibli GT !!






From Paul in Austria

MASERATI 3500 GT fuoriserie

"Hi Henry, Greetings from Vienna (one bottle of Lambrusco is also now in the wine-cellar). While looking for an inexpensive Shamal, I found this model on anamera.com. A really nice car. Haven't heard anything about this car before but there is a strong affinity to the new A8 GCS. Regards, Paul."

Reply from Sandro in Italy

"Good morning, Thank you for your interest. The car has a chassis No. AM1012276, year of production 1961. From the research that I have done, it is a production Maserati 3500 GT by Touring Superleggera. Records indicate that for the first owner, the car was fitted with Palermo plates in 1961, then in 1964 with Reggio Emilia plates, and finally in 1967 with Modena plates. In fact the original Modena front plate, issued by the Italian State, has never been mounted on the car, and is still in its original packaging. It was during this period that we believe the bodywork was rebuilt. I do not have any documentation on the aluminium body, but understand it was carried out by an Italian coachbuilder in Modena. I have not found any documents or photos concerning any competitions at which the car may have taken part, but I have photographic documentation of its restoration, the aluminum body is certainly from the 60's. According to documents issued in 1972, the car was fitted with an Alfa Romeo engine. I found the car in very poor condition, but with an Alfa Romeo engine, and a Maserati 3500 engine, and for the restoration I naturally chose to install the Maserati engine. The car has now been fully restored, and fitted with "Borrani" wire wheels. Since 2003, following its restoration, the car has covered about 3,000km. I am open to any serious offers for this unique fuoriserie. Thank you. Best regards, Sandro." All enquiries to Sandro at ribassato@hotmail.it

Maserati 3500 GT fuoriserie #AM1012276






From Yannick in France

MASERATI: DE TOMASO ERA

"Enrico, you will see on the link below a short video of Maserati during the De Tomaso era. A good watch !! www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdiDNwFwI-U Regards, Yannick." Below you will find the Italian narration, and my English translation - Enrico.

"Il rilancio effettivo della Maserati sotto la gestione De Tomaso avvene negli anni Ottanta con la Biturbo, destinata ad allargare la finora esclusiva e affezionata clientela Maserati, ad una fascia di mercato più ampia. The real revival of Maserati, under the management of De Tomaso, took place during the Eighties with the Biturbo, intended to broaden Maserati's so far exclusive and affectionate customers to a wider market range. De Tomaso, abile imprenditore già costruttore di apprezzate supercar, vuole realizzare anche negli anni successivi, berline gran turismo di elevate prestazione a due e quattro porte ma dai costi contenuti e risposero alle nuove esigenza del mercato. De Tomaso, a successful entrepreneur, was already a manufacturer of prized supercars, in the years following, wanted to create affordable two or four door high-performance grand tourers, in response to new market needs. Solo della Biturbo e le varie evoluzioni usciro oltre trenta versione diverse, sia coupe che spyder. Ma la storia della Casa del Tridente doveva ancora riservare delle sorprese. Nel 1993, De Tomaso infatti ha cedutto le sue azioni al Gruppo Fiat." From only the Biturbo and its various evolutions, over thirty different versions were produced, both Coupe and Spyder. But the history of the House of the Trident still had a few surprises in reserve. In 1993, De Tomaso in fact sold his shares to the Fiat Group.






From Frederic in France

MASERATI GHIBLI #AM115554

"Hello Enrico, Alain DELON agreed with DIOR to use his image for the Perfume TV ad "Dior pour Homme" with the film "LA PISCINE". It gave me the idea to send you a piece of MASERATI history. The car in the original script was to be a Lamborghini ESPADA. I send you a few documents including the original contract between the film company and Thepenier, specifying that Delon and Ronet would be the only authorized drivers with Mr Gauthier, Thépenier's driver. The car was sold after the Film to M. Real Del Sarte, a French Banker living in Paris. Hope this will be of interest to you. Sorry everything is in FRENCH so it will need to be translated !!!!!!! Best regards, Frédéric." In August 1968, Jean Thepenier, the official Maserati importer for France, wrote to Sig. Orsi at Maserati with a very interesting proposal. Jean was aware that a new film "La Piscine", starring Alain Delon and Romy Schneider, was in production, to be later released worldwide by Warner Bros. La Piscine, starring Alain Delon, Romy Schneider, Maurice Ronet and Jane Birkin He pointed out that the star of this film would not be Alain Delon, but a luxury sports car, and that the latest Lamborghini, the Espada, was the director's preferred choice. Jean went on to point out that the director could be persuaded to go for a Maserati Ghibli instead ! Sig Orsi was informed that it would be necessary to have the Ghibli in St Tropez, with their driver or his driver, between the 15th August and 15th September and that the Ghibli would be insured against ALL risks. It appears that the Ghibli in Thepenier's showroom, at that time, was finished in green and that that colour was unsuitable for the film. Thepenier went on to point out to Sig. Orsi that such a unique promotional opportunity should not be missed, especially as it would be at the expense of one of its competitors, Lamborghini. It is interesting to note that in the original script, the car used in th film was to be called a MARZAL, thankfully when the car was changed to a Maserati Ghibli, so was the name !! In a letter to M. Paul Laffargue dated 8th August, M. Thepenier confirms that a Ghibli #AM115554, finished in Rosso Rubino metallizzato, would be placed at his disposal. The car to be driven by their representative, M. Hubert Gauthier. You will notice that in one of the letters to Maserati, Thepenier mentions that two other Ghiblis were to appear in other films, but what films ? Do you know any of them ?

Copyright Ste Nouvelle Cinematographique Maserati Ghibli #AM115554		Copyright Ste Nouvelle Cinematographique Romy Schneider strokes the Maserati Ghibli

Copyright Ste Nouvelle Cinematographique The Maserati Ghibli hits the open road !		Copyright Ste Nouvelle Cinematographique A menage a trois ? - Romy Schneider, Alain Delon and the Maserati Ghibli

CLICK HERE ! to view a classic scene from La Piscine with Romy Schneider, Alain Delon, Maurice Ronet and Jane Birkin. Delon driving his rival's Maserati Ghibli through the slopes of the Côte d'Azure. And turn up the volume while you're at it !!



1st August 1968 - Letter from Jean Thepenier to Sig Orsi, Officine Alfieri Maserati: "Dear Monsieur Orsi, I am proposing something very interesting. A new and great film starring Alain Delon, etc., is in production, it will be called La Piscine, an international film to be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. The star of this film will not be Alain Delon, on anyone else, but a top class car. The latest Lamborghini, an Espada is proposed, but I could agree to a Ghibli, that will be insured against all risks for about 8 days of shooting, but it will be necessary to have the car in St Tropez from 15/8 to the 15/9, possibly with our driver or yours (fees paid). The car that we have here (green ex-Calza) will not be suitable in terms of colour. Do you have a car, even a used demonstrator, which, might I add, we could buy after the film shoot, and would come directly to Paris afterwards. I think we should do this, because having studied the issue, the resulting publicity would be enormous. Otherwise, if it is not the Ghibli it will be the Espada. Would you let me know by return mail. It is necessary that we see each other, for the accounts and the cars for the Show. Until now it is not easy for me to get away until 20/8 because of the holidays. May I remind you once again about the show, if we do not want happening to us, next year, that which happened to Ferrari and Lamborghini this year (a complete sales slump), it is essential to display the new car (even if we stop the sale as we did with the Mexico the first year). Please accept, Dear Monsieur Orsi, my best regards. Jean THEPENIER." 8th August 1968 - Letter from Jean Thepenier to M. Paul Laffargue, Ste Nouvelle Cinematographique, Paris: "Gentlemen, We would like to thank you for the kind welcome you gave to our representative M. Gauthier, and following on from your letter of the 1st inst. and to the first interview you had with M. Gauthier, we are pleased to confirm our agreement to have at your disposal for a duration of six weeks, commencing August 14, 1968, a Maserati "Ghibli" Coupe in Rosso Rubino metallizzato. This vehicle is intended to take part in filming under the supervision of your film director M. Jacques Derey, in your production of the film "La Piscine". It is officially agreed between your company and ours, that our Maserati will be assigned to you under the responsibility of our representative M. Gauthier, who will be solely empowered to drive the car during shooting, aerial shots, and sequences where he will act as a double for Messieurs Alain Delon and Maurice Ronet, who shall be authorized to take the wheel for certain scenes in your film. On the other hand, it is officially agreed that you take out comprehensive insurance to the value of 70,000 Francs without any excess, fire and theft, and against third parties from 14th August until 30th September 1968; this insurance must cover our vehicle departing from Modena, Italy on the 14th August this year. It is also agreed that all costs of fuel, oil and relevant maintenance relating to our vehicle will be at the expense of your company. It is also agreed by you that M. Gauthier will be made available until September 30 this year, and that, as driver of our vehicle, his entire salary should also be paid by your company. To keep matters in order, we would be grateful if you would kindly return a copy of this document duly bearing your stamp and signature, and preceded by "Read and approved, in good agreement." Thank you for the interest that you have shown in adopting our marque, please accept, Sirs, the assurance of our distinguished greetings. The President Director General. PS: We have taken note of your agreement to make a change in the text, concerning the name of the car from MARZAL to MASERATI "GHIBLI"." 9th August 1968 - Letter from Jean Thepenier to Sig Orsi, Officine Alfieri Maserati: "Dear Monsieur Orsi, I confirm our telephone conversation, informing you that Mr. Hubert Gauthier will take delivery on 14th August 14 in Modena, a red Ghibli No 115554, and then drive to St Tropez where she will remain until 30th September in order to make an international film "La Pichine". All fees, insurance, all risks etc., will be provided, and the star of this production M. Alain Delon, who we know particularly well, will most certainly buy this Ghibli at a price that we can agree with him. If you can arrange matters, you could export the Ghibli outright, because it is possible that with Italian plates M. Hubert Gauthier who is French, may have some difficulties clearing customs (I hope you will agree to a small discount on the price of this car, which will be used for six weeks, but will in turn give Maserati some very important reflected publicity. We inform you that in two other films, also, we are equally placing the "Ghibli" that we have available here: The green one of M. Calza and the navy blue ex-Fildier who finally did not buy the car, despite his order. Please accept, Dear Monsieur Orsi, my sincere greetings. Jean THEPENIER." 13th August 1968 - Letter from Jean Thepenier to Sig Orsi, Officine Alfieri Maserati: "Dear Monsieur Orsi, I can confirm that M. Hubert Gauthier will collect the red "Ghibli" 115.554 on Friday morning 16th inst. I would like Sig. Montcalieri to give M. Hubert Gauthier any useful directions/documents in order that he may pass through Italian customs at Mount Cehis with an envelope stamped to your address, for the return of the customs documents to your goodself. I also confirm that I will come to see you in the very first days of September to prepare for the show. We have the same stand as last year, and will therefore be able to exhibit five cars. Please accept, Dear Monsieur Orsi, my sincere greetings. Jean THEPENIER." 14th August 1968 - Letter from Officine Alfieri Maserati to Thepenier Maserati: "RE: Maserati Ghibli no. 115.554 In reply to your letter of the 9th August, we inform you that we have decided to give, in exceptional circumstances, a discount of 500,000 lire on the cost of the vehicle in question. We confirm that the car was delivered today at your representatives Mr. Hubert Gauthier. We are delighted to learn that you plan to use two other Ghiblis for other films. In another letter we confirm the delivery of a Mexico. We thank you for your cooperation and offer our best regards. OFFICINE ALFIERI MASERATI S.p.A. L'Amministratore Delegato P.S. Please note that having already long prepared the documents for the exportation of the Ghibli mentioned above, at the full price, we will deduct the amount of 500,000 Lire from the price of the next car that we supply you." 1 Maserati Gran Turismo automobile, 4700cc, type Ghibli, chassis and engine no 115.554, complete with 5 wheels and tyres, tool kit. 16th November 1968 - Cotract for the sale of Maserati Ghibli AM115554: We the undersigned ETS. THEPENIER MASERATI certify at having received this day as a deposit, the sum of FR. 20,000, credited for the purchase of a MASERATI 'GHIBLI' new, 1969, Serial No. AM 115 554 sold today for the total and exceptional price of FR. 74.000 in part exchange for a 1967 FORD MUSTANG registration number 9237 TR 75 FR at a price of FR. 19.000. It is understood that all discretion was left to M. Real Del Sarte himself to negotiate a price for his own automobile. Exchange rates in 1968 for GB £1 = French Francs 11.849 = Italian Lira 1,500 = U.S. Dollars 2.400 PLEASE NOTE: Fréderic Doniot owns the original data sheets for all Maseratis first delivered to Thépenier, the French Maserati importer.






From Lorenzo in France

MASERATI GHIBLI AM115172

"Bonsoir Enrico ! Quel plaisir de découvrir ces précisions quant à la présence de la Ghibli dans le film la Piscine. Pour l’anecdote, l’une des deux Ghibli évoquée comme disponibles chez Thepenier et pouvant etre « placées » dans d’autres films m’est bien connue puisqu’il s’agit de AM115 172, la verte de M CALZA qui m’appartient depuis plusieurs années. Si quelqu’un connait des anecdotes concernant cette voiture qui a toujours été en France depuis Decembre 1967 date de sa livraison à Nice je serai très heureux d’apprendre son histoire ! Amitiés Lorenzo." Good evening Enrico ! What a pleasure it was to discover these details as to the presence of the Ghibli in the film "La Piscine". For the record, one of the two Ghiblis mentioned as available at Thepenier's and could be "placed" in other films is well known to me as this is AM115 172, the green car of M CALZA that I have owned for many years now. If anyone knows of any stories about this car, that has always been in France since its December 1967 date of delivery to Nice, I will be very happy to hear of her story! Greetings, Lorenzo."





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