With a new Quattroporte debuting this year, now is a good time to take a step back in time and look back at prior generations of this executive saloon. The third generation Quattroporte debuted in the late 1970s shortly after Alejandro De Tomaso took the reigns of the company. He envisioned an Italian competitor to the Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9. This would be one of the last truly handbuilt Italian cars with all exterior seams filled in and an interior trimmed in leather as only the Italians could do. While most Quattroportes from this generation were fitted with a Chrysler 3-speed Torqueflite automatic, a ZF 5-speed manual was available. This exceptionally clean Quattroporte for sale in Germany has the 5-speed gearbox and must be a pleasure to drive at high speeds down the Autobahn.
1983 Maserati Quattroporte
The Maserati Quattroporte III is the last hand-built Maserati, it also has the historic 450-S-derived 4.9-liter V8, which is the final evolution of a similar engine fitted in the Gibli, Bora, Indy, Khamsin and Kyalami. For the design, Giorgetto Giugiaro was committed. Under the De Tomaso era such a luxury sedan was built, which was both elegant and sporty. The direct competitors were the Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9, Jaguar XJ12, Bentley Mulsanne and Aston Martin Lagonda.
The vehicle offered was delivered to the Bank of Italy in Venice. The car was recently imported from Italy. The sunny climate results in a very good body with no rust. The overall condition is to be assessed as excellent. The car has just had a full service at the prestigious Maserati specialists Schiemenz in Bonn. Here, the clutch was replaced and transmission was sealed; it also has had all wear parts replaced. The costs amounted to more than €13,000.
The aim of this beautiful Maserati is long, carefree pleasure and look forward to its H-plates in two years. Since the paint was used up, the car was bare metal resprayed at prestigious specialists, fixed what little damage there was to the body and then painted in Nero (black) at a cost of €12,200. It is a rare car, in which a 5-speed transmission was specified, that increases driving enjoyment and the appreciation potential. The interior is entirely lined with the finest leather, which is also in very good shape. If you are looking for an individual car that is guaranteed to evolve into a classic, then you will find it here. The car will be sold with full TÜV report, German vehicle registration.
At €35,990 (~ $46,290 USD), this is by far the most expensive Series III Quattroporte I've ever seen on offer. Interestingly, the seller's website lists the car at an even higher price of €44,980 (~ $57,911 USD). Whatever the case may be, the 5-speed Series III Quattroportes are a rare car indeed. A big, V8 executive saloon with a manual transmission isn't something your average manufacturer would attempt nowadays, save for the D2 chassis Audi S8 with its available 6-speed manual. But then again, Maserati isn't your average manufacturer.
-Paul