This 1985 Maserati Quattroporte is one that we featured almost two years ago and is back up for sale in California. Series III Quattroportes are rarely this nice and are a tempting choice for fans of the 1980s who want the utmost in exclusivity.

The below post originally appeared on our site April 20, 2012:

The Maserati Quattroporte was, and is, the individualists choice when it comes to luxury sedans. These cars have always been about sheer style and brashness; about as close as we will ever get to a four door Ferrari. The Quattroporte III's production spanned a decade but little more than 2,000 were ever produced. It's styling set the tone for the next two decades at Maserati while it's V8 engine and abundant use of wood and leather on the inside was classic Maserati. This example for sale in California is very well sorted and has a restrained air in metallic gray.

Year: 1985
Model: Quattroporte
Engine: 4.9 liter V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Mileage: 68,000 miles
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1985 Maserati Quattroporte - REVISIT

ORIGINAL low mileage California car in excellent condition. Purchased for roughly $12,000 by me. Note: Shipping to Europe/UK easily arranged and contacts in place. It is very reasonable from CA and I am happy to arrange this for the buyer.

It is an automatic (727 Torqueflight original) and all of the key work needed has been done including a full rebuild of the transmission and much detailed work listed below. Totally renewed stainless exhaust and Cats passing smog for CA. It is also in one of the most attractive color combinations for this car. More pictures can be sent if you email me. This car has always been garaged including after the recent work was done.

This is an EXTREMELY rare car and any in decent shape they are getting rarer. There were 2,143 produced and this is one of 1,806 4.9 L automatics (to put this in perspective over 1m mustangs by year 2 of production and 8 million total!). Ridiculously underpriced in US. Sale in UK recently at 29,000 pounds and nice example in Germany at over 42,000 Euro.

There are not that many left and they are getting rarer. For more details on the model please see http://www.maserati-alfieri.co.uk/alfieri65b.htm or ask me any questions - I will put more details on the model below.

Beautiful and extensively gone through collector owned car for sale. I own 3 of these cars and this one has undergone a lot of recent work and is only being sold only as I am moving forward with 2 other cars and just cannot have 3! Huge amount of time, effort and money spent. I know that I will be unlikely to recoup the funding spent but I do hope that it will go to someone who can continue the process. Car was purchased for about $12,000 and then there was a huge expenditure after this. New parts included!

Here is the report from the Maserati Factory:

Maserati Quattroporte AM330/us*5310* (USA Serial number - ZAMBC1100FA305310)
Produced on January 1985, 4.9 litres, automatic gearbox, external colour "Antracite", interior in "Natural" leather. It was delivered on February 1985 to the Importer "Maserati Automobile Inc." in Baltimore (USA). Here are excerpts from the original ad from when I bought the the car:

1985 Maserati Quattroporte

The Maserati Quattroporte was, and is, the individualists choice when it comes to luxury sedans. These cars have always been about sheer style and brashness; about as close as we will ever get to a four door Ferrari. The Quattroporte III's production spanned a decade but little more than 2,000 were ever produced. It's styling set the tone for the next two decades at Maserati while it's V8 engine and abundant use of wood and leather on the inside was classic Maserati. This example for sale in California is very well sorted and has a restrained air in metallic gray.

1985 Maserati Quattroporte

"Life's Been Good" to this 1985 Maserati Quattroporte...When Joe Walsh stated "My Maserati Does 185"...he had a circa 1962 Maserati 5000GT, capable of at least 170+ mph. All Maserati automobiles equipped with this four camshaft/hemi/V-8, starting with the mid-1950's Maserati 450S race car, through the limited production 5000GT (33 produced) , ending with the Quattroporte (2155 produced) were guaranteed to raise the excitement level. The soundtrack and power delivery of this engine was and is a winner from day one.

This rust free, exceptional & all original 67,959 mile Maserati Quattroporte has had the best of care. Maintenance receipts for over $12,000 and owner's / repair manuals come with the car. There is no doubt previous owner, "Style Icon" Tatiana Sorokko, a Bay Area fashion fixture, enjoyed her days with this car. Paint, chrome, body trim, and leather/wood interior are all in remarkable, near new condition. The photographs are representative of the actual condition of the car.

Drive report: we enlisted a Maserati expert to evaluate the car. He has repaired Maserati cars for 30+ years and reported as follows:

Front suspension and shock absorbers quiet and smooth, no clunks etc. Tire condition excellent with excellent wear pattern.
Rear suspension excellent / rear axle gear quiet - no appreciable backlash.
Brake pad and rotor condition: very good to excellent. Tires are new.
Transmission shifts properly / excellent fluid condition.
Engine condition: notes include very clean carburetors- no damage / stripped screws (very common)
Oil Pressure very high (indicative of low mileage)
Operating temperature proper / electric fan actuation and wiring good
Engine power delivery proper (280 hp all present)
Belts and hoses all at current maintenance level
Gauges / lights and other electrical items worked properly when tested.
Road test shows a top condition, nice driving car.
Originally a $65,000 car in 1985.

When I purchased this car it was in very good original condition and had benefitted by being owned by someone who used it regularly and kept it in very good condition. The undercarriage was immaculate and the car was really in excellent condition. That said it was over described and needed a few things refreshed - many of these are really deferred maintenance issues for a car of this age. In short, it was a really good car but needed some “refreshing”. Basically, the car had not been messed with and I spoke with the earlier owner who had sold it at a cancer charity auction! The company I bought if from owned it a short time and it was over described.

The story of this car will be featured on an upcoming article on Quattroporte IIIs but I will summarize the work done with some estimates of costs:

EXHAUST: New stainless steel exhaust from front to back and four CATS to make it fully CA compliant. NOS headers for the car also to bring the emissions system into full working order as well as the setting up of the original CA emissions system. This required a great deal of work as this year of QP III was not in the CA database but we got it done. (approx $4,000 (parts, labour, shipping, CATS, admin and shop time)

BODY: The body is in excellent condition - a true California car. There were some minor issues.
-All the side lights and turn signal lenses were replaced with NOS from MIE (US Maserati supplier of choice)
There was a dent in the lower side body moulding and a NOS part from MIE was purchased and installed (easy fix)
The headlight surround is a unique part on US cars. I was specifically told by the seller it was undamaged but it was broken and a NOS unit was bought from MIE and the front headlight assembly was removed and replaced.
Paint is excellent and a good color but a small touch up by the left rear light is required along with repair of the rubber on the bumpers which is an easy fix.
Approx $1,000 in parts and labor

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES ETC: - All in good condition and alignment was done on purchase.
Damage to A Frame front suspension due to sellers improper towing (no recourse of course) - Undamaged A frames sourced and shipped and installed
As a matter of course I have purchased tie rod ends and ball joints which should go on the car at a convenient time
New rear shocks (4) have been purchased and are in the trunk ($800)
Fronts are fine but I have a supplier for adjustable shocks for the front end which really transform the car. Not required but something to consider in the future along with the steering rack (under $500)
$2,000 plus in parts and labor

MOTOR AND MOTOR BAY
The car was in great condition but had the standard fixes required and the key money was spent getting this 100%
Complete motor detailing using 100% original Maserati parts
Valve cover gaskets removed and repainted in proper Maserati factory crackle paint
Motor bay detailing including cadmium plating parts.
New original motor decals
New shocks hood lifts for bonnet (hood) and boot (trunk)
New Old Stock replacement fuse box
New battery
Distributor and tune up parts (spark plugs etc)
Full service up to date - fluids, etc
Rebuilding of all 4 carburettors with original kits from MIE
New wiring cavis in original style
NEW PARTS AS NEEDED - oil sending unit etc
MOTOR SET UP - car was taken to STEWARTS in Sacramento for specialist work. They did a lot of work on getting the car running right, rebuilding the carbs, missing carb parts (who knows where they were lost!), vacuum set up). Essentially, their job was to check over the motor and make sure it was working right, safe and set up right. A list of their work is on the bills.
One running issue was caused by a faulty CAT which was replaced on warranty
(Approx $5,000)

INTERIOR -
broken door handles interior x 2 were sourced and rechromed
grab handles replaced with NOS
Interior wood was described as “in remarkable near new condition”. It was a lie - the wood was damaged around the transmission selector and the laquer had turned milky white on the doors and dash. This is a common issue for this car. HOWEVER TO DO IT RIGHT IS IS A DASH OUT JOB. It was done right with the dash out and wood sent to experts and Madera Concepts in CA who did an amazing job and a perfect match on the transmission selector section. I can’t say enough about how well they did - it looks amazing and is show ready.

TRANSMISSION - This was also described as perfect and it was not. It needed a full rebuild but it is the lovely 727 Torqueflight so easy to do. This work has been fully done along with a full rebuild of the starter (why not as it is a Mopar unit and the transmission is out)
(approx. $2,500)

MISCELLANEOUS - too much to mention as all things that were noted by me were fixed as they we noted with new parts. This included wiper blades and covers and a host of small parts etc. NOS jack purchased and in the trunk.
TO DO - A car like this can always be improved and it is in excellent condition. There are probably a couple of areas I would think about looking at in future as noted above. I have assisted with the design of a new set of Ohlins that are made for this car and would be a useful upgrade. The mirrors were done nicely but always a weak spot in this car. I am told that MIE does a new set and it might be worth looking at in due course but these are good. The tires are new but not the Michelin XWXs. I have a set you can buy if you want. I cannot think of anything else needed.

Current status. The car had just finished having the transmission done and is with a relative at his automotive shop in Roseville (Sacramento) CA. Any inspection is welcome and will arrange shipment. I have lots of bills and details that I can send to you also.

Description of QP III
The new Quattroporte III came to the market during the De Tomaso era for Maserati. It was designated 'AM 330 Berlina Quattroporte’ but was quickly known as the Quattroporte III. Although production continued into the Biturbo era the selling mates of the QP III as shown in a brochure package were the Kyalami, Khamsin, Merak 2000/SS

Here is how it was described by Ermanno Cozza:

In spite of its considerable size, Giugiaro's classic styling gave the Quattroporte III the visual concept of strength and speed; a long imposing bonnet, once more housing a V8 engine, sloped down to a large trapezoidal chrome radiator grille adorned with the traditional trident, flanked by pair of twin rectangular headlamps.

Its low wide body, featuring a character line along its flanks, allowed the low roof line to flow gracefully, via the acute angled rear quarter-lights and a full-width slanting rear window, to an ample boot compartment. With the Northern American car regulations in mind, the Quattroporte III was fitted with heavy rubber inset impact-absorbing bumpers, giving the car a solid imposing look. Thanks to its width and roof height, the interior had the atmosphere of 'a living room', without any loss of light or visibility. Make no mistake, this was car was much bigger than it looked!

The interior was comfortable, elegant and functional. The dashboard, trimmed in rich leather with briar-wood veneered panels, housed a large rectangular easy to read instrument panel. The anatomically designed seating was upholstered in 'glove-soft' Italian leather, as were the finishing panels of the velour roof lining. The leather trimmed and wood-veneered centre console, housed the air conditioning controls, radio, gear lever and an armrest which doubled as a lid for the convenient storage compartment. Naturally the car was fitted with air conditioning as standard.

For a detail of this article please see http://www.maserati-alfieri.co.uk/alfieri65b.htm on Enrico’s excellent Maserati web site which is a very useful resource for things QP III.

Of course the car can easily be shipped anywhere at buyers expense and risk.

Originally a $65,000 car in 1985, a Quattroporte such as this would generally sell in the $8,000 to $14,000 range today. Given the car's prominent previous owner, condition and run down by a marque expert, it will more than likely command a value in the upper reaches of that range, provided the right buyer comes along.

-Paul