The Biturbo should be met with suspicion. After all, it was selected as Time's Worst Car of 1984. Piling on further, we've been advised by those in the Alfa Romeo community to permit the Biturbo ample berth. And yet the temptation remains.
We aren't fans of the shape, though once you get past the awkward, stunted proportions, the design details are handsome. The wheels are a classic design with a nice deep dish to them. The exhaust tips are interesting, and the fonts on the decklid are handsome. We can imagine how the interior, worn out as it is today, would have looked in the original design concept sketches and we see what they were going for. Still, it brings to mind the current Maserati Ghibli - a car that sells in relatively large numbers (for a Maserati) in spite of its odd appearance.
As the Tipo 138 Maserati Coupe and Spyder take over as the de facto used Maseratis, it's time to refresh on the original used Maserati: the Biturbo. Born out of a newfound desire for profitability (where have we seen this before?), the Biturbo was the result of de Tomaso acquisition of the Maserati brand. Whereas Maserati had previously produced GTs and mid-engined sports cars, they sought to compete down-market with the likes of BMW and their 3-series. Selling to a market with higher volume, de Tomaso's Maserati hoped to scale up production to the point of financial success.
With a name like Biturbo, naturally the engine would be a major focus of the development effort, but were nine distinct engines over 13 years really necessary? Sure, there is a bit of context to the constant churn and development. Italian cars would need engines displacing under 2,000cc in order to avoid excess taxes, whereas foreign markets could engine the full 2,491cc offering. And, fuel-injection was more or less replacing carburetion during the Biturbo's time period, so it would stand to logic that Maserati would source a system midway through the production of the Biturbo. The mid-cycle bump up to 2,790cc is an ironclad method of increasing power and reducing lag on a turbocharged engine. But a complete head redesign for the introduction of a 24-valve variant? Well, even that might have made sense too, as it was likely intended to carry on further into models such as the successor to the Biturbo, the AM336 Ghbli.
You are bidding on a mechanically sorted Maserati Biturbo with an unmatched pedigree.
History: This was the personal car of the owner of Fremont Foreign Auto, an Italian car specialist in Fremont, CA. He swapped the drivetrain along with the rear end, wheels, and some interior components from the donor vehicle, which I was told had covered less than 20k miles.
Reliability: Fuel-injected 2.5L twin turbo V6 and five-speed manual transmission from a 1987 Maserati Zagato Spyder (same platform, so everything bolts right in). Fuel injection cures many of the reliability problems that colored early Biturbos' reputations.
- California BAR certified
- New fuel pump and alternator were installed in November 2017.
- No other needs or issues. I would drive it across country tomorrow.
Character: The throbbing exhaust note and 3,000rpm turbo rush give the car a far richer personality than contemporary BMW, Mercedes, or Alfa alternatives. The chrome tubing and wrinkle-coated valve covers under the hood is more in-line with Ferrari than even Alfa.
Body:
- Paint is excellent and body is straight
- Surface corrosion around the edges of the hood vents is the only rust
Interior:
- Aftermarket CD/Bluetooth stereo with phone/microphone interface
- Period correct Momo steering wheel with Maserati crest
- Odometer inoperable but 56,514 indicated
- A/C condenser kicks on, no visible leaks, but air is slightly cooler than ambient at best
Reason for Sale:
- I acquired the car from a dealer in Idaho this spring. You can see dozens of pictures on his site: http://www.modernclassicautos.com/1984-maserati-biturbo/
- His walk-around video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgKheP3ORe0&t=106s
- You can see the car, with other Maserati, Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo, on the Freemont Auto site: https://www.fremontforeignauto.com/
I have moved and lost a garage space, so I would prefer to sell it rather than park it outside.
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We can't in good faith suggest that you'll notice the 10hp bump provided by the fuel-injected engine that the previous owner swapped in. From what it sounds like, this swap to fuel-injection carries the sole benefit of reliable operation - the seller goes so far as to state that the carb'd cars tainted the reputation of the Biturbo. Having met a very happy Biturbo owner at an Italian car event, we can get on board with this thinking. No, an engine swap is probably not in the best interest of the car's value, but a useable, reliable Biturbo is worth something to many.
Taking the seller's word to be good, good on him for selling the car rather than letting it sit. A rust-free Biturbo like this deserves some protection from moisture and the sun's rays. The interior, by the way, is preserved in remarkable condition for one of these cars. Take a look at the photos in detail, and you might notice the shift pattern. That's right - it's a dogleg manual transmission with 1st off the H. Spend some time diagnosing the weak A/C and get this thing out on the road to enjoy the snarly 90 degree V6. We heard that those are cool again - ask Alfa.
The Maserati Biturbo has always been a car that fascinated me; perhaps it's that I grew up in the 1980s where box-tacular designs were the norm, but there was something about the styling of the Biturbo that I always found appealing. It was tight and compact, sporty with enough flare that it really stood out. I was especially a fan of the dished wheels and still am. Compared to the somewhat oddly proportioned Quattroporte III, the Biturbo just looked right. That continued under the hood, where from a performance standpoint the Biturbo was fairly impressive; at least, on paper. In an era where 140-150 horsepower was considered "good", the twin turbocharged V6 put out a lofty 180 horsepower. Not all of that transferred into pulse-pounding performance, but still it was more than adequate for the time period; remember, that's more than some American V8s were pushing at the time. Still, the Biturbo didn't gain the best reputation, meaning you can pick up clean examples today for not much money, such as this clean example from Ocean Drive Motors:
STOCK #: 8029
ODOMETER: 29,008 MILES
EXTERIOR COLOUR: SILVER
INTERIOR COLOUR: TAN
VIN #: ZAMPM1106HA331332
PRICE: $9,500.00
FEATURES: SERVICE RECORDS, NO RADIO, CONV. TOP NEEDS REPLACEMENT, RE-BUILT ELECTRICAL RELAY BOARD,
*VERY LOW MILEAGE – EXCELLENT SHAPE*
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Though they look very similar to the sedan, the Spyder version of the Biturbo was styled by Zagato and rode on a shortened chassis, making it strictly a two seater. The color combination on this particular car is nice and understated; red and white were quite popular, so it's nice to see something a little different. While I'm not a fan of the overly-plush looking seats from 1980s Maseratis, overall the condition of this car inside and out is very clean. There are some needs, such as the replacement top, but if you're on a budget and want some unusual Italian fun in the sun, this Biturbo could be a fun sun project car. Overall it is priced pretty accurately in the marketplace for these Biturbos.
Complimenting the mint condition Maserati Biturbo we featured last week, here we have a very low mileage example of that car’s evolutionary successor, the 430. The one thing that can be concerning about low mileage Maseratis from the 1980s is determining whether they have low mileage due to the fact they might have been bought by a collector or whether they spent more time in the shop than on the road. This 430 is claimed to have been from a collection and certainly looks as such from the condition. The problem here is, how much of a headache can a 24 year old Maserati that has sat for most of its life be?
1989 Maserati 430, 3850 original miles. This is literally a brand new car. It was stored indoors in a climate- controlled collection for 24 years, this is the first time it is being offered to the public. Still has remnants of the plastic on the leather that covered it during shipping from the factory. Has original tires as it rolled out of the factory. Comes with the dealer window sticker and full professional maintenance manual in three ring binder. Standard equipment on this car are: 2.8 liter SOHC aluminum V6 engine, 3 valves per cylinder, twin turbochargers and dual air-to-air intercoolers, Webber- Marelli computerized fuel injection/ ignition system, rack and pinion power steering, ZF 5-speed manual transmission, Ranger limited slip differential, 4 wheel independent suspension, Hi-Speed radial tires on 15" alloy wheels, servo-assist four wheel disk brakes, automatic air conditioning with touch-sensitive control panel, power windows & door locks, tinted glass,leather upholstery, adjustable steering column with leather steering wheel, Maserati clock, tool kit, electric door mirrors, stereo cassette radio, noise & corrosion control coatings, factory fog lights. Clean California title. This car cost $45,786.00 in 1989.
There are very minor scuffs, imperfections in the paint and interior as can be expected of a car this age. The power antenna has also been removed and is in the trunk. This car runs and drives good, but can use a standard tune up to get it running excellent. Shipping is the responsibility of the buyer, I can assist in loading. Payment is due 7 days after close of auction. See my other auctions for other super-rare cars I'm selling from my collection.
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Like the Biturbo, the 430 can be had for pennies on the dollar these days. These cars were meant to be targeted as a more exclusive, upscale choice to the typical BMW 3 series and Mercedes 190s of the era, but have seen their values plummet to the level of those cars and below, due to the cost of upkeep. This car has minor cosmetic issues but nothing to detract terribly. A clean, well-sorted 430 could fetch between $12,000 and $14,000 at the high end. Good examples of these cars usually hover around $10,000. There’s a lot of questions to be asked with regards to this car and why it sat for so long, and a lot of things might need attention to make it reliable for regular use. This one is certainly worth a punt, but, as they say, caveat emptor.
Throughout the years, Maserati has changed ownership many times and has gone through product phases ranging from the sublime to the outrageous. There was one car that almost finished the company off. Shortly after taking over ownership, Alejandro de Tomaso sought to create a vehicle that could broaden Maserati’s appeal to a wider market segment by offering a lower priced offering. The Biturbo was launched at the outset of the 1980s and got off to a strong start in the sales race, but problems with the turbocharged engine and reliability issues plagued the model throughout its life. Subsequently, Biturbos can be had on the cheap, but is it a risk worth taking? This Biturbo for sale in Washington state has to be one of the best preserved examples of the breed that I’ve ever come across.
This is a great opportunity to purchase a pristine one owner Maserati Biturbo. This has always been in Washington State. No Rust & all Original. Purchased in 1985 from Grand Prix Motors LTD in Seattle Washington. After stored in a heated garage for about 10 years, in 2011 Park Place Limited performed a full go through to get this Maserati in tip top shape. We have receipts for $4,016 in June of 2011 then $1,774 in July. New Bridgestone Potenza tires, We have all original books, pamphlets, keys, Service Manual, tool kit and Original MSRP sheet! Fully appointed with 2.5L aluminum Engine, Twin Turbo Chargers, Weber Carburetors, 3 valves per cylinder, Belt driven overhead camshafts, Maserati auto boost control, electronic egn, Mcpherson strut suspension, Rack & Pinion Steering, 4 Wheel disc brakes, Non-slip Differential, and much more. You will not a finer example,
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If you are looking to buy a Biturbo, this car should be at the top of your list. Low mileage often means problems with these cars, but with the recent money invested in maintenance and one owner history, it should do a lot to assuage fears. About $10,000 to $12,000 is all the money for the best of the best when it comes to these cars, so I’d expect bidding to wind up somewhere in that range.
The 1980s weren't a glorious period for Maserati. The 430 was a derivative of the infamous Biturbo that was meant to soothe US customers and make them forget about the teething problems of the turbocharged V6 engine. Sadly, fewer than 1,000 of these sedans were built between 1987 and 1994, with even fewer still making their way stateside. As a result of their obscurity and infamous reliability record, these Italian compact executive sedans can be had on a budget. But does a cheap purchase price make for a smart buy? Not all the time. Bought right though, and you could have something. This 430 for sale in California has had a lot of work done to it, which should help to assuage some fears.
1989 Maserati 430 - Silver. Beautiful condition. 91k miles. Always garaged. Here is a list of some of the new parts and work that has been done on the car within the last year to get it up to spec: Timing belt + (all important) valve adjustment, water pump, radiator, fuel injector relays, fuel filters, air cleaner + filters, Interstate battery, alternator, fuse box, Alpine radio + front speakers, tires: Yokohama (S-Drive), wheel alignment, replaced all worn buttons, ashtray, floor mats, trunk struts, and the list goes on, over $4500 in work. The only thing left is the A/C needs a recharge or new seal on the compressor (which I have the parts for). Speedometer reads: 31k, but the car has 91k on it (the speedo was changed in 2007 and recorded on the door and with receipts). Everything on the car works and it runs like a dream. I have all the records on this car since it was purchased back in 1989. This is a California vehicle that has been very well cared for, no rust, great paint. A rare and wonderful automobile.
Some of it’s features: 225 hp V6 (twin turbo), 5-speed manual transmission (0-60 under 6 sec.), Silver ext./Black Leather Int. + Grey Alcantara. All power: Steering, Brakes, Driver’s Seat, Windows, Sunroof. Wooden (factory upgrade) steering wheel, Maserati clock, fog lights, etc.
Selling only to make space in the garage for a new car. No Trades. Serious inquiries only.
At $10,000, the seller is right at the top end for what these sedans are bringing these days. At close to 100,000 miles, I'd suspect this car's real value is closer to the $6,000 to $7,000 mark. Cosmetically, the car appears mint and it has had a slew of work done to it. We all know Italian cars are not the most reliable of vehicles at times, but the Biturbo Maseratis can really take the cake sometimes. Whether the ownership experience would end in joy or pain is pretty much a roll of the dice.
By 1994, the Biturbo was long gone from the US automotive landscape and most people had forgotten about this less than stellar period in Maserati's history. But in 1992, the famed Ghibli name was revived on a revised version of the Biturbo which would be sold until 1997, eventually making way for the 3200GT, which would go on to be the first Maserati sold in the US in 11 years, under the Coupe and Spyder moniker. Funny how some things come full circle, isn't it? This Ghibli is said to be one of two in Canada and is road legal there, due to their more lax 15 year importation threshold, rather than the draconian 25 year rule in the US.
Very Rare and great condition Ghibli 2 GT for sale. Only 2 in Canada and this is one of them. This is NOT the Biturbo model but the Ghibli 2. Exterior is a very dark grey (almost black) and the interior is beige. The interior is completely leather and suede (no cloth) with a wooden steering wheel.
The radio and CD player work and the floor mats I had custom stitched to match the interior with the Maserati trident logo on them (not shown in the pictures). No cracks in the wood trimming and it still has the orginal Maserati gold Cartier clock in it which works perfectly. It also still has the original flare light/torch that came with the car for emergency purposes.
It is a 5 speed manual transmission and a 2.8 litre, bi-turbo engine putting out about 330+ horsepower. The brakes have been upgraded with new discs that were also slotted and new brake pads. It has been driven only in the summer here and is stored in the garage for the winter. The other Ghibli 2 in Canada was a 1991 model, had done about 71,000 kms and recently sold for $43,000. This is therefore a bargain considering the later model, lower kms and lower price.
I'm not sure if you could consider $35,000 a bargain for what is a thinly reskinned Biturbo, especially since more recent Coupes with the 4.2 liter V8 and 6-speed manual can be had regularly in the $25,000 to $35,000 range. This is also a car from a curious part of Maserati's history, one where the company found itself on the brink. Therefore, reliability and build quality aren't on par with the classics or modern day cars. Even though it has its shortcomings, I've always appreciated the more butch looks the Ghibli brings to the ordinary Biturbo formula. In just a few years, these will be legal to import to the US and hopefully a few more make their way to Canada in the meantime to make for a larger selection this side of the Atlantic.
If the Maserati 430 we featured last Saturday was a bit tame for you, then have a look at its open roofed sibling, the Spyder. Hailing from the same model year, this Biturbo with a shortened wheelbase and shared the same, troublesome biturbo V6 with its four-door counterpart. These Spyders carry a bit of a premium over the hardtop Biturbos, but are still rather affordable for enthusiasts of more modest means. This Spyder for sale in Washington State is a pretty original example and like most Biturbos, has low mileage for its age.
This Maserati is in outstanding condition and runs strong with the quick response one would expect from a European car. The paint is original and still as beautiful as the day it was new, there are small blemishes and a couple small door dings. The rims are aluminum with no curb rash. Every item from the power windows to the gages are operational. The Maserati signature clock shows no ware and works (it does however loose a bit of time). The interior is clean. The seats are a combination of leather and suede, the suede shows light wear, I have new suede from Marerati that comes with the car. The soft top fits tight but has two small rub marks that do not leak or allow light to show through. The McIntosh stereo system is fully functional and rocks. The power amp, equalizer, and CD player are in the trunk. The car is built to run and does a great job doing so. The car is just plain fun to drive and attracts attention wherever it goes.
The thing about most Biturbos with low mileage is that many spent countless hours in the shop sorting out the nettlesome mechanicals. When running right, they can be rewarding cars, but as with most Italian exotics, a moment of pleasure can equal a lifetime of pain. This Spyder is attractive because it has the 5-speed manual gearbox and is in presentable condition with original paint. You might see the odd museum quality Spyder fetch over $10,000, but if this car gets to that figure, that probably will be all she wrote.
The 430 was Maserati's attempt in the late 1980s to challenge the likes of BMW and Mercedes in the compact executive car market. An evolution of the oft maligned Biturbo, the 430 added an extra set of doors and a longer wheelbase to appeal to a broader market. It was a futile attempt, and less than 1,000 were built between 1987 and 1994. This 430 for sale in Florida has low mileage, but with little in the way of a description from the seller, would it be crazy to give this motor even a passing glance?
Maseratis of this era represent a cheap way into an exotic marque. The interior and exterior of this 430 look very well kept, but what about the mechanicals. A picture of the engine bay hasn't been provided by the seller, which raises some red flags in my book. But, this could very well be a mechanically sound motor. If a knowledgeable mechanic could give this car a clean bill of health, then someone is about to get a bargain.
Italian cars aren't the most reliable vehicles on the block. In recent years they have improved, but there's always the shadow of doubt that something could go wrong that would put a damper on your day. The Maserati Biturbo, however, is the kind of car that could put a damper on your entire life. Designed to help Maserati compete in a lower priced segment, de Tomaso, the cash strapped owners of the marque, designed the car on a shoestring budget. Mechanical maladies were many, which made for many frustrated owners and a slew of Biturbos with low mileage because people just gave up on the cars. You can buy a Biturbo for pennies on the dollar these days, but does it make it a smart buy? This Biturbo for sale in Illinois looks fairly innocent, but trouble could lurk underneath.
This is my 1984 Maserati Biturbo. This Biturbo has 16k original miles! It has a beautiful interior and exterior, and you can tell it was properly stored. It is rust-free, and it is in near mint condition. This truly is the nicest Biturbo I have ever seen. You would be hard-pressed to find one in this condition. You really must see this car to appreciate it! I drove this Biturbo around my neighborhood twice, but the carburetor is currently off the car. This car is almost entirely original, including the Michelin tires! I am reluctantly selling my Maserati, because I have bought another car and I do not have room for both. I can refer any potential buyer to an excellent shipping company, should the need arise. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me.
I'm not sure if I would be bragging about the car having original tires. After almost 30 years, I would say it would be about time to get some more pliable (and safer) rubber. I would also want to know why the carburetor has been taken off. It seems there might be some issue the owner doesn't want to address right up front. The best Biturbo out there may bring $6,000 to $7,000 in the current market. If you could snag this car for around $4,000 or a little under, you might have a good buy. Just be prepared to put your local mechanic's kid through college if you pull the trigger.
