The Ghibli has long lived in the shadows of other, more well known Italian exotica, but for those in the know, these GTs offer a little bit of understated luxury to go along with the raw power of the quad cam V8 engine. Released in 1970, the Ghibli SS offered a slightly more powerful, 4.9 liter 350 bhp V8. This Ghibli SS is on offer in Ohio and was repainted from its original yellow color to the red it wears currently.
1972 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS - rare 5spd Manual, USA car. Maserati Red over Black leather interior, Borrani wire wheels. Good documentation and service history is included with the car. Records show that the car was sold in 1978 by Miller Motorcars and the car was Yellow at the time. The 2nd owner had the car changed to the current red color. Otherwise the car is to our knowledge completely original - it is a matching numbers, actual mileage car. All service is up-to-date - it is fully sorted and needs nothing to go enjoy. This car includes a stack of maintenance records, the original owner's manual and wiring diagram, two sets of keys, the Maserati Classic kit including the original sales brochures, and original tool rool with a partially complete tool kit, jack, and spare tire on a Borrani wire wheel.
It's not surprising that the Ghibli SS is valued a little higher than the lesser engined Ghibli, typically $90,000 to $120,000 is about what you can expect to pay for a good example. This one seems to be a little bit overpriced, given it doesn't wear its original color and the leather seating looks a bit tired. I'd suspect somewhere closer to $100,000 might be a more realistic value.
The 1970s were a time of transition for Maserati, both in terms of ownership and the vehicle lineup. The Ghibli was at the end of its run by the early 1970s, giving way to the Khamsin, which was introduced for 1974. The Khamsin would go on into the early 1980s, when the focus shifted from V8 sports cars to the Biturbo, a more compact sports luxury car designed to compete with some of the best Germany had to offer in the segment. Sadly, we all know how that experiment ended, which makes enthusiasts like myself more nostalgic for the time of the big, low-slung Maseratis of the 1960s and 1970s. This Ghibli for sale in Connecticut has the smaller 4.7 liter engine and is, in my opinion, Giorgetto Giugiaro in his finest hour.
1971 Maserati 4.7 Ghibli, stunning in every way! VIN AM115 1850
Stunning black over white (tuxedo) 1971 Maserati Ghibli. The Ghibli has been touted by many motoring experts as one of the most beautiful cars ever made, and described as mechanical art in its purest form. Truly a hand built vehicle less then 1100 of these cars were made, and very few remain. The car lived in a museum in Austria for 16 years before making its way to these shores in 2006. She has clearly been been restored. The powerful, 4.7-liter V-8 engine runs beautifully, has great power and torque. She recently had more then $18,000 worth of work done by a well-known Maserati repair shop. The work included new heads and valves, full stainless exhaust system, new fuel lines and fuel pumps. We have just had the Weber carburetors tuned and she runs superbly (we have performed a full compression check). The 5-speed gearbox shifts well, all the syncros work as they should, and the clutch works properly.
The black paint is stunning; with a deep mirror finish and all panel gaps are per the factory. The floors are all original with no evidence of rust. The engine compartment has been detailed, and shows well. The outrageous WHITE interior is in wonderful condition, with a mild patina. The black carpets, and black mouse hair dash are new. The A/C blows cold and all of the controls work as they should. The braking system has been checked, they have great feel, and she stops with authority. All glass is original, and all of the seals are new and fresh.
The stainless steel trim likewise is in excellent condition as well. The chrome bumpers are in good condition. Her original wheels are in good condition, and the tires are new. This Ghibli is one of the most striking cars we have ever seen! With her tuxedo colors, she commands a crowd wherever she goes. She drives as well as she looks, and is a true investment grade car. Most expert opinions concur that these Maseratis are a great buy in the investment grade car market, and should appreciate handsomely over the next few years. She is mechanical art in its purest form! Please feel free to call the Classic Car Gallery at 203-256-9800 for any additional information you may need.
Classic & Sports Car Magazine recently pitted a Ghibli SS Spyder against the Ferrari 365GTS/4 Daytona Spider and in the end, the Ghibli won the author over, not just because the Ghibli is the cheaper alternative, but because it has a refinement lacking in the Ferrari. I've always maintained that if I was a man of means, I would have a Maserati over a Ferrari, simply because it doesn't shout about your intentions. It's refined, yet aggressive at the same time.
Currently, Ghibli coupes can be had in the $75,000 to $125,000 range, depending on the provenance and whether it is an SS model. Black over white leather is certainly a classy color combination and very fitting for a car like this. If James Bond had been a paisan, this car would have been his ride.
Whenever I see a "celebrity car" advertised, it really doesn't do much to grab my attention. A lot of the folks in Hollywood aren't true car collectors; rather, it's all about badge and image when it comes to transportation. But, there are some noted car collectors in the world of television and film, such as Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld and the guy who owned this 1971 Alfa Romeo GTV 1750, Tim Allen.
To be honest, I wouldn't have normally associated Tim Allen with a GTV 1750, as he's known for his love of Detroit iron. But his petrolhead credibility has just gone up a few notches in my book with this car. These coupes are revered for their excellent handling and tidy good looks. For sale in Hollywood, California, this frame off restored GTV is certainly a car that you could consider well sorted.
**Celebrity owned by Tim Allen**
88,113 Original miles
This collector Alfa Romeo GTV 1750 is currently owned by celebrity, comedian and car connoisseur, Tim Allen. Known for his Blockbuster Movies and hit television shows “Home Improvement” and “Last Man Standing!" This car has resided in his collection for the last 7 years! He has finally decided to sell this Alfa GTV, to complete someone else’s collection.
Here is a chance to own a frame off restored vehicle with a celebrity provenance. This GTV only has 3000 miles since its restoration. When Tim bought this car seven years ago, this is what was done:
“Complete restoration done by an Engineer who started with an all original and never molested original car. Every suspension bushing, joint, bearing throughout the entire car was replaced. All components cleaned and painted or powder coated prior to reassembly. All new suspension is all adjustable, centerline springs, etc. Undercarriage is rust free and was cleaned and re-undercoated. All new rubber and seals, new window felts and channels. new speckled grey carpet kit, original dash without cracks, original wood, new speedo and tach cables, entirely new european taillight assemblies, original spare with jack, AR501 red paint, new period Daytonas and Yoko 205’s, original AM/FM push button radio that works.
Original 1750 that was rebuilt with Steve Hanniford head work (stage 5 includes intake manifold port machining), assembled with all new components (valves, HP Springs, followers, retainers, reliefs, Ingram HP FI pump (165-170hp), new fuel pump, throttle bodies rebuilt, new exhaust OEM with hangers, original exhaust manifolds ceramic coated, all SS hardware for reassembly, all recip components carefully hand balanced to 0.1 gram static, revs willingly to 7000 where the cams peak), flywheel machined to 15lbs (more to relieve stress risers in casting then weight), new pistons/liners (hastings rings, effective CR 10:1, stk 9.75 plus 10 mils off the head for a quarter point), flowed oil pump (meaning the oil pump intake was carefully shaped), all new chains, Ingram prepped 1750 rods (relieved, peened, bushed, new bolts and big nuts), all engine work done at Wes Ingram’s shop, compression delta P across all cylinders is 1 pound! recurved electronic Bosch with MSD multi-spark, entire cooling system with custom 3 row core adapted to original tanks, thermostatically controlled fan. Trans, driveline and rear-end inspected and rebuilt, new windshield (all other glass original).”
Review:
Exterior: Nicely finished Rosso Classico
Interior: Black in excellent condition, original wood, nice dash, original steering wheel
Engine/Transmission: Strong running 1750 that shifts easily
Tires: Yokohama 205’s with excellent tread
A very nicely restored Alfa 1750 GTV that has been well cared for and is ready to show, cruise or add to your car collection.
I wouldn’t fault this car with its celebrity pedigree and restoration work.
Winning bidder has the option of having Tim Allen sign the car and a picture of Tim with the car.
A great investment car!
GTVs of this vintage that are restored or well-kept originals have always brought strong money. A good, driver quality vehicle in decent nick will probably hover somewhere around the $25,000 to $27,000 mark, but given the level of detail on this car, I'd suspect it will probably fetch somewhere around $35,000. For someone who is into these cars, the celebrity status is just a bit of icing on the cake. I do find it interesting, however, that in the world of showbusiness, comedians tend to have the best taste in cars.
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.
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.
The 1989 Lancia Thema 8.32 that we featured for sale last year in Canada is back up for sale with a Buy it Now of $15,900. Is this tempting enough for a US enthusiast to travel across the border, bring it back here for one year under a potential "show and display" exemption and then be in the clear in 2014?
The below post originally appeared on our site June 27, 2012:
Cars like the original Mercedes-Benz 500E, the BMW M5 and the Cadillac CTS-V are all sedans that enthusiasts are familiar with. Take an executive saloon, drop a bomb of an engine under the hood, tweak the suspension, brakes and transmission and you have a recipe for stealth. But one of the most interesting and seductive sports sedans to ever hit the streets is probably one you never heard of. The Lancia Thema 8.32. This car shared architecture with the Fiat Croma, Saab 9000 and Alfa Romeo 164. While the Giugiaro inspired styling may have been a bit tame, in true Lancia form, the engineers went off the reservation. In went a 3.0 liter V8 from a Ferrari 308. Mounted transversely with a cross plane crankshaft and a few bits from Ducati, this was a serious motor. With 212 horsepower on tap and a sub seven second 0-60 time, the Thema 8.32 could hang with the best of them. This one for sale is unique in that it has been imported to Canada, putting it within arms reach of US enthusiasts.
I am offering one of the rarest, world's best, unmolested factory original 1989 Lancia Thema 8.32 with the Ferrari 3.0 four cam V8. Yes, a true sleeper. Incredible performance from the 3.0 four cam Ferrari V8. This rare all numbers matching Thema 8.32 is one of only 3,971 ever made and in spectacular original condition with only two meticulous owners since new. It was professionally appraised in January of 2006 for $36,000. That was six years ago. VIN #: ZLA83400000164763.
SOME BRIEF HISTORY: First shown at the Turin Auto Show in 1986, the Thema 8.32 ("8" standing for the number of cylinders and "32" for the number of valves) was assembled at Lancia's S. Paolo plant in Turin. Shaped by the hands of Giorgetto Giugiaro, the boxy sedan model featured a 0.32 drag coefficient, which was an impressive figure at the time. Being a luxury model, it featured a comprehensive list of standard and optional features, including automatic air conditioning and heated seats wrapped in leather or Alcantara.
Two years after the launch of the model, Lancia executives decided to step it up a notch with the presentation of the Thema 8.32, perhaps better known as the "Thema Ferrari." The Italian Q-car was fitted with a 3.0-liter 32valve V8 engine (hence the 8.32 in the name) sourced from Ferrari. Power was sent to the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. The Ferrari-powered Thema completed the 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint in 6.8 seconds and achieved a top speed of 240 km/h or 149 mph!
The styling of the Thema 8.32 was rather discreet with exterior upgrades being limited to the different grille, tailpipes, gold/yellow pinstripes on the sides, a retractable rear boot lid spoiler and the alloy wheel designs. Inside, the flagship Thema offered buyers a full leather treatment (or Alcantara) along with a wood trimmed dashboard featuring unique gauges and a three spoke leather steering wheel.
Here are some highlights: The actual mileage on this 8.32 is 123,413 original km or 73,000 original miles. No rips, tears, cuts, or any other imperfections in the Alcantara seats, door panels and dashboard Non-smoker and was never smoked in by anyone else. Full service history from Grand Turismo in Alliston, Ontario. One of 2 in North America that I know of. Does anyone else have one in North America? I would sure like to know.
Purchased from the first and only original 73 year old owner in Italy and imported by Autoforum into Canada several years ago. Must be seen and driven to be appreciated.
MOTOR: 3.0 quad came FERRARI V8. The previous owner (Paul) has spent over 20K in making sure this 8.32 is perfect. Speak to Brett at Gran Turismo. I would be more than glad to give you Brett's telephone number.
TRANSMISSION: 5-speed transmission. The transmission shifts perfectly in every gear!
BODY: 100% rust free with factory original paint. Never in any accident or collision whatsoever. All original factory shell panels, no aftermarket parts whatsoever. Perfect floors, rocker panels, trunk, etc.
EXHAUST SYSTEM: Upgraded Magnaflow exhaust system. Comes with factory exhaust system as well.
WHEELS/TIRES: Factory original 15" WHEELS with Yokohama tires! I will install a brand new set of 205/50 15" tires for the new owner.
INTERIOR: All original, as new. What can I say, again, let the photos speak for themselves.
COMES WITH THE FOLLOWING: Color brochure, untouched original tool kit, original untouched spare wheel/tire, original factory jack, appraisal - was appraised in 2006 at over $36,000. Today it would be appraised at $45,000. Full service history from Gran Turismo. Original factory exhaust, Lancia Thema floor mats, everything you see in the video/photos. This Lancia cost the equivalent of $80,000 when it was brand new.
TITLE/SHIPPING: This 1989 LANCIA THEMA 8.32 comes with a clean Canadian title. For US residents, I can title this Lancia in your name here in Toronto and get Ontario license plates/sticker in your name so you can drive this Lancia anywhere in North America.
The attractive thing about this Lancia is that it is already residing in North America and will be legal for US road use in 2014. I'm not sure how the seller would work out Canadian license plates for a US buyer, but it wouldn't be out of the question for a US collector to buy this car, store it away for a short while and then title it. It sound kind of crazy, but sadly the US government is so draconian that we are left with few other inexpensive options. The last Thema 8.32 we featured had a little more than 30,000 less miles on the clock and was being offered at $18,000. This car was also located in Germany. I would wager to say averting the hassle that comes along with importation logistics, the asking price of $22,000 is almost a bargain for a decently preserved example of unobtanium.
Those in the market for a cheap, four-wheel drive vehicle under $20,000 have a couple of choices, but not many. The Patriot is the bottom end of the Jeep range, but a rather dreadful vehicle. Subaru has a few Imprezas that fit the bill for those not looking for a full-on SUV and Suzuki has the SX4, which is a rather tidy, all-wheel drive five-door hatchback. Unfortunately, the US has not been privy to the Fiat Panda 4x4, which has been around since the 1980s. Rumor has it that we may get a version of this plucky little off roader in the form of a small Jeep, given Fiat's control of Chrysler. In the meantime, it's possible to pick up the first generation Fiat Panda on the cheap, even considering shipping costs to the US. This Panda for sale near Milan, Italy has covered a scant 40,000 miles and would be a great commuting tool for those in colder climates.
Fiat Panda 4x4, 1987 (hence exempt stamp duty), in excellent condition, both mechanical and body. The following components have been replaced due to age: brackets, headsets, tires, battery, belts, etc. Car does not require any additional work, price is negotiable.
The seller is asking the equivalent of about $4,200 USD for this Panda. By the time you factor in shipping and importation fees, you might be hovering around $6,000. That's seems like a lot for a Panda, but considering the utility on tap and exclusivity this car offers stateside, it's a small price to pay. With manually selectable four-wheel drive and a low range first gear, this car offers a curious mix of versatility and economy that is hard to match.
The sun was setting on the mid engined sports cars of Maserati by the late 1970s. With Alejandro de Tomaso at the helm of the company, smaller front engine, rear drive coupes would be the order of the day along with the mainstay Quattroporte executive sedan. This late model, one owner US spec Bora has the larger 4.9 liter V8 and is great example of Giorgetto Giugiaro's handiwork from the period.
You are looking at one of the lowest mileage, best kept, all original, ONE OWNER Maserati Boras in existence! The original paint, mechanics, and interior are in excellent condition for their age. The car is well sorted with the hydraulic system in top condition. The A/C blows cold. Original jack, spare tire, tools, engine cover, owners manual, and original service booklet are included. These sought after exotics are rarer than hen's teeth and even rarer in one-owner immaculate original condition! This Maserati Bora is priced to sell and represents an EXCELLENT investment opportunity for the discerning collector!
Maserati's first mid-engined, road going supercar was the Bora, announced in November 1971. It was named after the wind that blows around Trieste and follows the wind theme of the legendary Ghibli and the Mistrale. Giulio Alfieri had taken Maserati's experience on the racetrack with the Tipo 63 and 65 sports racers of the early Sixties and the Cooper-Maserati Grand Prix Car. The basic design was sent to Giugiaro at Ital Design. Giugiaro produced a body that combined muscle and delicacy, with a hunched, purposeful high rear and curvy front end, suggesting the mid-engined configuration without making a fuss about it. Of the 524 Maserati Boras produced, only 235 were equipped with the 4.9L engine!
The Bora is an interesting beast with quirky styling touches, not completed in the slightest by the larger US spec bumpers. At almost $100,000, this is about on par with where Bora prices have headed lately. The later model with the larger engine certainly is a plus, along with the one owner status. As is the case with many Maseratis from the 1970s, these are excellent collectors items for someone looking to take the road less traveled when it comes to Italian exotics.
Renzo Rivolta, the engineer behind Iso, got his start by manufacturing refrigerators in 1939. Hence the name Iso, deriving from the name "Isothermos." Eventually the company moved onto motorcycle and scooter production, followed by microcars such as the Isetta, which was licensed by BMW. With the help from Giotto Bizzarrini, Rivolta went about creating his first attempt at a sports cars, powered by a 327 cubic inch V8 from the Chevrolet Corvette. Called the Rivolta, this car was achingly beautiful, having been designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro during his stint at Bertone.
The follow on to the Rivolta was the Grifo, built on a modified Rivolta chassis and powered by the same small block Chevrolet engine. Later on in the production run, the small block engine gave way to the big block Chevrolet 454 engine. With a fastback body and engine pushed rearward into the cabin, this car has a much more hunkered down versus the Rivolta, which was more of a luxury coupe. For sale in New York, this Grifo comes with an interesting history and a few modern updates.
Ruby Red with Tan leather interior, 5 miles since restorations, ZF 5-speed transmission and air conditioning. This 7.0 Liter Grifo, “The Ennezeta” is believed to be the last Grifo remaining on the assembly line when the factory closed in 1974. It is well known in Iso Owner’s Club circles. It was completed sometime thereafter by a well known fabrication firm, Ennezeta, established by several former Iso employees. The car was VIN number (223225). Beyond the unique history, the car incorporates several distinct characteristics from other Grifos, these include a lower profile hood than big-block Grifo’s and lower valance panels including rear brake cooling ducts. Combined with the vibrant color set off by the brushed aluminum trim, the car has tremendous presence. The car was honored most recently as part of Quail Lodge’s 50 Anniversary commemoration of Iso automobiles.
The car is well known to Autosport Designs where the car was purchased in 2003 by its present owner. The present owner undertook a number of upgrades completed by Autosport Designs to make it well suited for long distance touring. These included the addition of a stereo and trunk-mounted CD changer with the controller discretely placed in the ashtray and rear speakers placed in leather trimmed enclosures beneath the rear parcel shelf, electronic ignition and a Richmond six speed transmission. The original ZF 5-speed is included with the car. Price: $265,000.
This Grifo is in good shape, but I'm not exactly certain why the seller has this advertised as a 1967. This car is being described as one of the last Grifos to emerge from the factory, in addition to having the later big block engine. I'm guessing this is probably a 1974 model, given that was the last year of Grifo production. However, with the earlier front end styling, it could be an earlier production model with later updates. Whatever this car might be, there are questions that need to be answered.
The market for Grifos ranges roughly from $150,000 to $250,000. Given the unique history of this car, I'm surprised the owner made so many modifications, even if it makes the car more drivable. At least the original ZF transmission is included. It's not surprising the asking price is well over $200,000, but whether an exotic with an obscure badge will command the asking price remains to be seen.
Few things get the heart of an car enthusiast racing than a red Alfa Romeo. Whether it's a classic Spider of the more recent 8C Competizione, these cars exude automotive passion like none other. I've always been partial to the Alfetta GT and later GTVs of the 1980s. This red Alfetta GT for sale in Oklahoma comes from an owner with five other Alfa Romeos looking to downsize his collection.
We've enjoyed this Alfetta for the last 7 years,but the other 5 Alfas need some attention,so it's time to thin the herd. This is a rust free car that runs and drives great. Over the years I've replaced about all the wear parts from the engine & tranny mounts,brakes,suspension,all drive shaft components, etc., new exhaust system with Euro manifolds.New headliner and battery. The seats need redone and there are cracks in the top of dash. The car was repainted and is holding up well.
While the later GTVs with their V6 engines tend to command a bit more in value, the earlier four cylinder Alfetta GTs are a relative value and just about as entertaining on the road. For a clean GT, expect to pay somewhere between $5,000 and $9,000. I'd suspect with this vehicle's history and condition, we're looking at around a $5,500 to $6,000 car.
We normally don't feature fixer-uppers here on CICFS, but the Iso Rivolta is such a rare, beautiful piece that in any state, it deserves a bit of respect. The brainchild of Renzo Rivolta, this car combined a Chevrolet 327 cubic inch V8 with Giugiaro styling to produce what was one of the most handsome Italo-American collaborations. This Rivolta for sale in Texas looks fairly complete and has had some work done already, but needs a bit more effort to bring it back to its former glory.
1968 Iso Rivolta GT #51. This car was built in 1963, but not titled until 1968. It has been in Dallas for over 30 years by the same owner. It is a running, driving project. Recently rebuilt 350, Muncie 4-speed. New brakes and clutch. Has factory trunk A/C. Power steering now converted to rack and pinion. New correct front floors. Rear floors are a little weak. New headliner and windshield rubber. Lots of extra parts to include. Euro gauges, six Campagnolo knockoffs, two rear ends and a correct 327 block. Driver door window not working.
I've never seen a Rivolta in blue. Whether this color is original remains to be debated, but I'd almost be inclined to keep it this color, especially if this was how it was manufactured. Clean Iso Rivoltas can fetch somewhere between $40,000 to $75,000 on average. Given this car's current, half restored state, you're probably looking at a car worth somewhere around $25,000 to $30,000. The mechanicals on this car would be easy enough to sort, but if any of the trim items are missing, this could be a maddening project. Given this is one of my favorite designs from the 1960s, for me, it would be worth it.
