Tag Archives: 1992

Maserati, Modern Classic

1992 Maserati OPAC Spyder Prototype

Heading into the 1990s, Maserati was emerging from what could be described as an underwhelming decade. In the early 1980s, the last of their mid-engined sports cars rolled off the line and the Biturbo took over as a the mainstays of the lineup, along with the V8 engined Quattroporte III executive sedan. The Biturbos did to Maserati what the Beta did to Lancia: it soiled Maserati's reputation and labeled it as a builder of unreliable cars at a critical juncture for the company. On the cusp of Fiat's takeover in 1993, Maserati was exhausting what they could out of the Biturbo chassis with the introduction of the Shamal in 1989. This car had a 3.2 liter twin turbo V8 engine and updated styling by Marcello Gandini.

The Shamal formed the basis for the car you see here, the OPAC Spyder Prototype. OPAC is a company famous for its automotive convertible top engineering and recreational boat manufacturing. This Spyder Prototype has both a cloth top and removable hardtop, similar to the contemporary Mercedes-Benz R129 SL. First show in 1994, this car was subsequently bought by a Dutch collector and is now for sale in The Netherlands, wearing Quattroporte IV alloy wheels.

1992 Maserati OPAC Spyder Prototype

Unique and one-off prototype of the Maserati Spyder. This car was intended as a successor to the 80's Maserati Biturbo Spyder was first presented in 1994 at the motor show in Turin. In early 2000 this car is in the hands of a Dutch collector came and waited for the car perfectly, and was driven regularly. Technical features include a twin turbo V8 engine with a 5-speed manual transmission. Specifications are identical to the Shamal. The manufacturer OPAC has also built a hardtop, which makes this car really complete. For collectors of this unique car is also an absolute must! Complete history and maintenance!

While this car is a mash up of Maserati and Ferrari elements, it pulls off a cohesive, wedge look. A one off prototype, no matter the marque, is a purchase that only the very serious and well informed should undertake, not only for one's sanity, but also to help preserve rare vehicles such as these. Unlike a lot of prototypes, this one is perfectly drivable, since it is based on the Shamal. Hopefully it is bought by a collector who won't lock it away, but bring it to events for other enthusiasts to observe and enjoy.

-Paul

Ferrari, Modern Classic

1993 Ferrari 348 Series Speciale

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The Ferrari 348 reminds me of the series 996 Porsche 911. It came between two legendary models and is often overlooked by enthusiasts. The 348 was the successor to the successful 308/328 and the predecessor to the F355, which is fast becoming a modern classic in the truest sense. The 348 had an unusually short lifespan for a Ferrari of just six years. It was enough time to see a few special variants come along, including the car you see here for sale: the 348 Series Speciale. Only 100 units of this car was produced in TB and TS variants. Limited for sale to the US market, this edition had a higher horsepower motor (312 horsepower), revised tail lamps and a bigger front spoiler. The rear track was also widened by 25 millimeters. Fifteen units were made with Kevlar sport seats and this is one of them.

1993 Ferrari 348 Series Speciale

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1993 black/tan interior. 50,500 miles, engine out service was done January 2011 at 48,000 miles. New nuvolari exhaust, new cam belts and hill engineering tensioners, new front cover bearings, oil pump and timing chain tension blocks, waterpump rebuilt, new rear glass, valve covers powder coated red, new gaskets, ss brake lines, degree camshafts, Mobil 1, Red Line gear oil in trans, new ignition wires, new coil packs, rebuilt alternator, car at this time is registered and inspected, car sounds great drives great.

The mileage on this Ferrari is a bit higher than what we are used to seeing on these models, particularly on a rare edition such as this. This is a lot of exclusivity for the money, and with a recent servicing last year, one should be good for a few more thousand miles. All things being equal, this is a good price of entry for a modern day Ferrari and allows one to set aside funds for the next major servicing.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1992 Alfa Romeo Spider

Another week, another Alfa Romeo Spider. I can't get enough of these Series 4 Spiders and here's another good example with low mileage, 5 speed manual transmission and desirable red over black interior. This is not the uplevel Veloce model like the last Spider we featured, but with power windows, leather and suede interior and alloy wheels.

1992 Alfa Romeo Spider

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1991 Alfa Romeo Spider finished in Rosso Corsa over black interior. This Alfa is in fantastic overall condition. Baby red has only 39,600 original miles (only 2,000 miles a year average). If you are looking for a true Italian sports car that looks and runs great this is the car for you. Alfa Spiders are amazing to drive and this little baby loves to rev and sounds fantastic. Runs through all gears smoothly (no second gear grind). Has good brakes, tight suspension and steering. The paint on the car is great, interior looks stellar, cloth top has been replaced recently. Tires are new.

This is a two owner car sold new in Canada. Original owner moved to California. Car has always been garaged. The odometer shows in kilometers. This Alfa is equipped with a Clarion radio, CD. Series 4 Alfas are the last and arguably the best built (Series 4 Alfas have power steering, Bosch Motronic Fuel Injection, twin cooling fans, revised styling with integrated bumpers and more). This car is ready to drive cross country dow to the beach or through winding country roads. Open top motoring joy awaits you. This is an opportunity to buy a classic Alfa with extremely low miles at a reasonable price point.

The price on this Alfa Spider is just about spot on at just under $14,000. I have a suspicion that these cars are about to take off in value, especially looked after examples such as these. If you ever wanted one of these classic roadsters, now is the time to act.

-Paul

Lamborghini, Modern Classic

1992 Lamborghini LM002 – The Last One Sold to the Public

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There are many cars which are obscure and which are legendary. Few are both at the same time. The Lamborghini LM002, however, falls into both categories. While all wheel drive is common in most current day Lamborghinis, the LM002 was Lamborghini's first vehicle to drive all four wheels. Conceived with the intentions of sale to the US military, the Cheetah, as it was called, had a rear mounted AMC V8 engine. This configuration was ultimately dropped due to bad handling characteristics. Instead, the V12 engine from the Countach was mounted up front and the LM002 was born.

The final LM002 rests in the Lamborghini museum, and this example for sale represents the last LM002 to be sold to the public.

1992 Lamborghini LM002

Without any doubt, the LM002 is one of the strangest cars ever built but also a turn in the motor car history. Back in the late 70s the idea came from US to replace the infamous JEEP by a powerful and modern fully independent suspended 4x4. Lamborghini made a study and built a serial of prototypes called “LM” to be tested by US army but Lamborghini had to face American’s way of business and patriotism … Actually Hummer got the market with a project actually mostly inspired by the LMs. As the car was already developed Lamborghini decided to produce and launched it in 1986.

The first “LM002” cars were delivered in late 1987, no need to say that it was really an “UFO” in the mid – 80s market. Actually the very first super performance 4x4 ever built. With the 5.2 liter 4 valves engine from the Countach it was a 444 HP beast of 2.8 tons, 1.9m height, 2 meter width, and 5.3m long ! 301 examples were built which is a kind of success considering the “strangeness” of the concept in the road cars market. The last cars were fitted with fuel injection a very modern one at that time, of which the Diablo will benefit. There is no valuable discussion if this a “nice” or “hugly” car … this a turn in the car history capable of 200km/h among the dunes.

We are extremely glad to offer this LM002 as this is probably the most interesting one, being the last example to be sold to a private actually the second by the end. The very last one was kept by Lamborghini and is currently exhibited in the make’s museum. This is a fuel injected version, sold new and registered in Germany in 1992 then kept by the same owner in 2003. There is a great history file including all of the service records from new, a copy from the registrations and very interestingly a letter from Lamborghini about the car’s singular history. This fabulous 29000kms LM002 has always been maintained to the highest level and can only be described as being in immaculate condition in and out, driving is superb also. No doubt this outstanding car would be a master piece in any major Lamborghini collection.

On our sister site, German Cars for Sale Blog, I've expressed my less than enthusiastic stance towards SUVs and off-road vehicles. The LM002, along with the Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen and Land Rover Defender, is one of those off-road vehicles without my respect. A Lamborghini V12, manual transmission and intimidating stance are the key ingredients to making this, quite possibly, the most over the top off-road vehicle the world has ever seen.

-Paul