One of Alfa Romeo's most successful models was one which never saw the light of day here in the US market: the Alfasud. Constructed at a new factory in the south of Italy as part of a labor agreement with the Italian government, this compact car was quite a departure for Alfa Romeo, as it featured front-wheel drive and a horizontally opposed four cylinder engine. I've never seen one on these shores, but this one for sale in Switzerland is quite appealing, given it is a two door Sprint version and has the more aesthetically pleasing earlier bumpers.
Rare, very beautiful Alfasud Sprint Veloce 1.5, 120,000 km, 95 hp, first hand, runs perfect, no rust. New timing belt replaced, five original steel wheels with small hubcaps are included.
Notorious for their poor build quality and rust issues as a result of crude Russian steel used during manufacture, it amazes me that the seller is asking almost $16,000 USD. Good, clean Spiders can be had for less, and there a multitude of other modern classics out there which offer more bang for the buck. If this car was for sale at just under half of the asking price, it would start to look a bit more appealing, given its condition.
While we featured a Maserati Ghibli a few days ago on CICFS, it was the more common hardtop variant. Out of the 1,274 Ghiblis ever produced, only 125 had their roofs chopped off beginning with the 1969 model year. This example for sale in The Netherlands is one of the original 125 produced and has had three owners. It has benefitted from a restoration but retains its original interior.
This is a rare and original Maserati Ghibli Spyder, chassis number 1161st (an example of only 125 cars produced). This car has had three owners and has been driven 41,000 original miles. A few years ago, the car was completely restored and technically gone over. The car has the original engine (matching numbers) and Borrani chrome wire wheels. The bodywork is immaculate, mechanically it is 100% and drives fabulous. The interior is completely original and in beautiful condition. In summary, a unique and rare vehicle in beautiful condition.
Hardtop Ghiblis in good nick usually hover around the $100,000 mark, but the Spyder is an altogether different proposition. This is one of the nicest Ghiblis I’ve seen on the market as of late, and its price reflects that. I’m not certain how fast this car will move at over $400,000 USD, as recent auctions have set the bar for the Ghibli Spyder around $275,000 to $350,000. Even though some hardtops were converted to Spyders over the years, as in most cases, the originals will always command more money than the copies. In this stunning shade of blue, this Ghibli is a triumph of Italian design and engineering in one arrested package.
The Maserati Ghibli is one of those grand touring cars that epitomizes everything that was great about Italian design in the 1960s and 1970s. Long, flowing lines and sumptuous details are the hallmarks of this machine. This particular Ghibli is a desirable one. Not only is it the later, higher horsepower SS model, but with the 5 speed manual, black paintwork and Borrani wire wheels, it certainly looks the part.
Designed by a young Giorgetto Giugiaro while at Carrozzeria Ghia, the Maserati Ghibli has been referred by some as the most beautiful sports/GT car of all times. Even if you do not agree with that strong of a statement, there is no denying the Ghibli is certainly a very striking and handsome car whose timeless design has aged very well. Even today, when driving a Ghibli, people stop and stare at the car's beautiful lines.
Powered by a dry sump V8 engine and fed by four Weber carbs, the Ghibli delivers the performance you would expect from an Italian exotic. Its closest competitor, and the car it is most often compared to, is the Ferrari 365 GTB4 Daytona. Both are large front engine cars. Both were for 2 people and were built in the similar years (1967 - 1973). Both were priced about the same (the Ghibli was a little more expensive) and built in similar numbers (about 1150 each). Where the cars differ is in their character. The Daytona was optimized for performance while the Ghibli towards being a “gentleman’s GT cruiser”. People that own both cars generally agree that the Ghibli is the better car for regular driving and rallies. If going around the race track is your thing, go for the Daytona. Of course there is also the matter of price, as today the Ferrari Daytona is MUCH more expensive; both to purchase and maintain.
The exterior styling of the Ghibli is equally matched by a gorgeous interior. The Ghibli all leather interior is quite spacious and can easily accommodate tall drivers. One famous Ghibli owner was basketball star Wilt Chamberlain. This particular 1972 Ghibli SS is a three owner car with only 33K miles. Sold new in Los Angeles and had always been there until I purchased the car 4 years ago from the second owner. I then sold it to its third owner. The car is currently in at my house near Atlanta, Georgia area. Has all the desirable features you normally would want on a Ghibli SS; the larger 4.9 liter engine, Borrani wire wheels, power steering, 5-speed, AC and rare quad exhaust. Ghiblis look very good in black, and this car is no exception!
The interior is very nice and mostly unmolested. It still has the original front carpets with the logoed heel pads. Luckily nobody ever installed a modern radio nor were extra speakers cut into the door panels. No signs of accidents or rust. Paint is good but not show quality. Mechanically this car is sweet! Engine was recently rebuilt by Terry Girone; who use to work for the Maserati imported in the Northeast and also was the service manager of the Atlanta Ferrari/Maserati dealer. I have owned about 15 Ghiblis and I must say this is one of the best running one I've driven. Oil pressure is great. Coolant temperature stays constant, gearbox shifts well, brakes work as expected. Engine compression is between 150 and 160 psi across all cylinders, which is excellent. Gauges, switches, lights, clock in working order. AC was recently serviced. Between the engine rebuilt, the AC work and a few other items the previous owner spent over $44,000 in the last 3 years. Receipts come with the car.
Ghiblis are great rally cars as they are comfortable for long drives and quite reliable for an exotic. Included is the original jack with bag, receipts, and factory supplied owner’s manual. The owner’s manual is the rare 4.9 liter version in English and Italian. Note: State of Alabama does not issue titles for cars build prior to 1974. Car is sold with Bill of Sale and a certified letter from Licensing Director which explains the State law.
Prices for Ghiblis tend to range anywhere between $75,000 and $120,000 these days, and the Spider variants command much more than that, given their rarity in comparison to their hardtop sibling. Given this example’s provenance, I’d say $80,000 to $90,000 is probably in the ballpark of what this owner is looking for. With the work and money invested in it, it certainly would be worth it. This is truly an honest car for the discerning collector.
The 1970s were a time of upheaval at Maserati. The decade began with the automaker under Citroën's control, and ownership being handed over to Alessandro de Tomaso in 1975. Under Citroën's guidance, the company introduced it's first mid-engined vehicle, the Bora. Powered by the familiar 4.7 liter twin cam Maserati V8, this engine was mounted north/south in the chassis and produced 310 horsepower. This was the first Maserati with four-wheel independent suspension, and was an interesting car, with its stainless steel roof and adjustable brake, clutch and accelerator pedals, as the driver's seat was only height adjustable. All US market cars had an emissions equipped 4.9 liter V8. In total, 289 Boras were built with the 4.7 liter V8, 235 with the 4.9 liter engine. This example for sale in New York by way of Arizona is a low mileage original.
1974 Maserati Bora Royal Blue with Tan leather interior. Car has been owned by the same elderly gentleman since 1976. 27K original miles. Extremely original Arizona car. Absolutely rust free. It has spent all its life in Arizona. Good original Bora with such a low mileage is almost impossible to find. Interior of the car looks almost brand new but its all original. For only $67,500.
Supercars from the seventies are an interesting breed, as ever tightening emissions controls and crash standards compromised these vehicles in the US market. The Bora, while down 30 horsepower from its European brethern, escaped rather unscathed, with exception of larger bumperettes. The Merak, sibling of the Bora, got a bit of a rap on Top Gear's Supercar Challenge for its unreliability and inadequate performance. With it's V8 engine, the Bora has power befitting a wedge shaped classic such as this.
With the revival of the Fiat 500, MINI Cooper and New Beetle, there’s a lot of talk in the automotive industry about how far basic transportation has progressed. These cars are all way more luxurious than their predecessors; some purists deride this fact, but for the most part, the public has warmed up to them because of this. However, back in 1980, Fiat kind of split the middle between vintage and modern when it came to cheap transportation with the introduction of the Fiat Panda. Devised as a basic car that would be cheap to maintain, it was fashioned in the mold of the CItroën 2CV and Renault 4, cars that were popular with rural communities. With simple, box like styling, it had a few unique features like a rear seat that would fold flat, removable, washable seat covers, door trims and dashboard cover and flat glass panels, which made for cheap repairs. This was also the first small, transverse engine vehicle to utilize a four wheel drive system, making it optimal for the rural market at which it was targeted. With a new Panda on the horizon and with talk surrounding it that it may be sold in the US market, this is a good point to highlight a vehicle that is still beloved the world over for its simplicity and all terrain capability.
Fiat Panda 4X4 Series 1 (now a rarity). Excellent condition, body has had a little conservative restoration. Leather seats and mechanically flawless. Thanks to her drive system lever very capable in snow or in mountains of ice. Words can not describe the toughness and strength she has to climb out of everything. ALso an interesting car historically. Now a vintage vehicle that can be enrolled in ASI taking advantage of low insurance. Possibility of shipping: All in Italy, pick up direct with maximum delivery within one hour.
At almost €3,000 (~ $4,000 USD), this is big money for what could be described as a peasant car. However, few Series 1 Pandas are left in such good condition these days and one could be assured they wouldn't be exactly throwing their hard earned money away, as these cars are quite durable and are used as they were meant up to the present day. If the seller could knock something meaningful off the price, say, about €500, it could be considered a good buy and a topic of conversation if brought back stateside.
We've featured a variety of Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTVs on the site, but none quite as exquisite and showroom fresh as this late model example with only 28,000 miles on the clock. With it's 2.5 liter V6, rear wheel drive and rear mounted gearbox, this is one of the best handling sports coupes of the 1980s and a clean example such as this is sure to grab everyone's attention at the next big Italian car meet.
If you missed your chance on buying an Alfa Romeo GTV6 new, well, here's your second chance. I've never seen one for sale at a price this high, but I'd wager to say this is the best one I've seen in years, in a desirable color to boot. If this car wasn't enough nostalgia for you, here is a period Alfa Romeo commercial from 1983 highlighting a similar GTV and the rest of the lineup with the tagline "The Master Car."
The Alfa Romeo GTV 1750 is one of the greatest Italian sports cars of the 1960s and 1970s and this is reflected in recent market values. With a twin cam, 1779cc four cylinder engine, slick 5 speed gearbox and disc brakes at all four wheels wrapped in Bertone styling, what’s not to like? While you usually see these coupes in red, blue or silver, this particular GTV in Giallo Orca strikes a nice period look for one of Alfa Romeo’s most legendary sports cars.
This 1969 Alfa Romeo GTV 1750 in Giallo Ocra (Yellow Ocra) embodies the style and performance of the Italian car maker in the late 1960's. This is a rare opportunity to own and drive a classice piece of Alfa Romeo history. Everything about this classic is in working condition (all instruments, panels, switches, etc.)
After 42 years, this car is still running beautifully. The engine is in pristine condition and still rides wonderfully. The transmission works great and gear shifts are smooth. The transition to 2nd gear is free from the grinding that was common among several Alfa models. With the exception of some minor dents and dings (highlighted in the photos) the body looks great. The rare, and distinctive Giallo Ocra paint is completely original with the exception of the rocker panels which are coated in a black, texturized paint which was meant to protect from rocks and chipping. It is unfortunate that the paint was not applied to match the rest of the car, but it has served its purpose in protecting the rockers.
The car is protected with both a Ziebart undercoating as well as an additional rust-proofer. There is no traces of rust anywhere on the car including the normal trouble spots (ie. door jams, tire wells, jack points, etc.) Please note that in photo of spare tire well, there is an overspill of the Ziebart which is the black tar seen in the photo. The interior is like new and features the "flying buttress" seats made for both comfort and a sport-like feel. Brand new custom floor mats with golden emblems are a great compliment to the interior. As mentioned earlier, everything is in working condition. There is no need to ask if something works, everything functions properly.
Listed below are all of the updates and repairs that have been made recently.
New fuel pump and fuel filters; Fuel tank has been re-coated with Tephlon
1 New Brake Booster
Master cylinder has been rebuilt
New Straight Tailpipe
New Pads and Rotors
New U-joint, Center Supports and bearing
2 New Motor Mounts
New Trans Mount
All new Tie Rods
New Clutch Master and Clutch Slave, Flex Hose and Clutch Disc
New Custom Gold Emblem Floor Mats
2 New Rear quarter panel badges
New Caster Bushing
New Inner and Outer Shift Boot
New Battery
New Tires
With a starting bid of $18,000, we’re in the ball park in terms of value. With a no reserve, I would guess this example would fetch just shy of $25,000, given the cosmetic blemishes and non-original Ziebart rust proofing. These were not inexpensive cars in their day, as they cost significantly more than the Ford Lotus Cortina and BMW 2002 while costing just a tad less than the contemporary Jaguar E-Type. Parts are still relatively easy to find and servicing should not be as challenging as some Italian exotics, as long as you can source a mechanic with diversified experience in European motors. With Alfa Romeo’s imminent return to the US market, I would wager to say it’s a good time to buy one of these classic sports coupes, as they would be a more sound investment than common stock given current economic conditions.
The Alfa Romeo Alfetta Sedan and GTV Coupe were the cars that introduced the legendary front engine/rear transaxle combination so favored by enthusiasts and missed greatly when front wheel drive became the norm in the 1990s. The GTV could be best described as a bridge between classic and modern day Alfa Romeos, with styling cues taken from the V8 Montreal coupe but with sharper edges more akin to the later 75 sedan. This particular GTV represents the third year of production for the GTV Coupe and comes with an amazing provenance and recognition from the Alfa Romeo Owners Club.
This is a 1976 Alfa Romeo Alfetta Coupe GTV in concours condition. It came in second place in "Class 22--Transaxle Coupe" Class in the 2004 AROC national Convention held at Manchester, New Hampshire. Prior to this event, it was regularly entered in the Rolex Vintage Festival at Lime Rock where it achieved 90.9 and 94.1 points (I only have two score sheets) as well as Concourse Italiano in Brookline, Massachusetts. The car underwent sort of "no expense spared" (if this can be even applied to the Alfetta series?) restoration effort in the early 90's by Keith Goring at Alfas Unlimited in Conneticut, when the car had around 25,000 miles.
The engine was built with European 9.6 high compression pistons and Shankle high performance camshafts. It originally had European Ansa tubular headers, but I converted over to Euro Cast Iron for its many benefits including to me better sound. All other mechanical parts were replaced or rebuilt at that time. The Spica injection was fitted with K&N air filters and new exhaust was placed. When I bought the car in November 2004, Spica was tuned to perfection by Joe Lore of Alfa Imports along with higher output alternator from later series. Original Spica air filter housing was also placed to bring the engine bay to as original condition as possible and I never liked the "snorty" sound of the K&N filters. More impressive is the body restoration where the quality of paint and more important, the body prep work done on this car is comparable to restoring a Ferrari.
All new sheet metal was sourced in Italy and the prepwork under the paint is exquisite. Keeping in mind today's exhorbitant cost of "proper" restoration job in terms of labor cost and material cost, this level of "quality" restoration will probably never be repeated in an Alfetta, at least until people realize what an amazing car the first series Alfetta coupe represents in terms of crisp design and ambitious engineering complexity attempted on a mass production car. It also has the rare European stainless steel bumpers in near new condition. Interior wise, the carpet is original and in excellent condition. The driver's bottom seat was redone, otherwise the rest of the seats are in original pristine condition. The dash and steering wheel are near perfect. The original tool kit, jack, and owners manual are included.
The suspension has been updated with new Bilsteins and performance rear springs by the previous owne, and I added the 15 inch Ronal wheels for slightly more aggressive stance. I have owned the car as part of my small collection of Iconic Italian cars which I am down sizing due to my age and change in my passion and hobby. Over the years I only put enough miles to keep the car well lubed and suspension and rubber components supple and in good working order. The Spica injection is amazing and alwys starts up after pumping the gas a few times. The ignition switch was updated and works flawlessly. Engine has plenty of power and torque and yet breaths very well all the way up the revs like a 1600cc or 1750cc. The driveshaft is fully balanced up the revs, clutch is progressive, and synchros are all good. Brakes work fine and with the Bilstein and 15 Ronals, and of course the famous Dedion set up, there is a lot of feel good factor built into the handling. I sourced an Ansa rear muffler but never bothered with the change as the single tip muffler with the Euro cast iron headers to me sound, just right, a quintessenial Alfa music. In summary, this is for the Cognoscenti of the transaxle Alfetta series, who is looking for one of the best out there and ready to enjoy winning in concourse meeting.
I've come across a slew of GTV Coupes in good condition lately. Usually, anywhere between $8,000 to $15,000 can net you some of the best GTVs money can buy, be they the earlier four cylinder models or later V6 versions. With this car's desirable color combination and impressive rebuild, the seller would be within reason to expect a return of at least that much and perhaps even more.
In the 1960s Ferrari had the Daytona. Lamborghini had the Miura. And Maserati had the Ghibli. This was the most celebrated Maserati yet, and in 1970, they turned up the heat with the Ghibli SS, bumping capacity of the quad cam V8 to 4.9 liters with horsepower increasing from 335 to 350. These are sleek cars and with the extra horsepower, few vehicles of the time could match its performance. This particular Ghibli SS is for sale by the owner of the Lamborghini Islero we featured last month, as you can see from the pictures.
1971 Maserati Ghibli SS - Eurospec, (French Market)
This is a Real Eurospec SS, the rarest and most desirable of all classic Maserati V8 GT coupes only around 100 were ever made. #2110 was a Special Order for a long time Maserati customer, the President of the Société Marseillaise de Credit, Edouard de Cazalet. The car was ordered in Black with Wild Boar Skin Interior including headliner. It features a unique full width storage bin behind the seats with straps to secure additional luggage. The odometer indicates 60,000 kilometers (37,000 miles).
When the Bank was Nationalized, de Cazalet joined the World Bank in Washington DC bringing Ghibli SS #2110 with him. It was sold to an Airline Pilot that owned the car for 17 years restoring it, including rebuilding the engine. (Photo of bare metal restoration included) In 1996 it was sold to an attorney that kept the car for 10 years until I purchased it in 2006. The car was featured in Autoweek's Escape Roads - May 21, 2010.
Includes copies of the original Factory Build Sheets and extensive records dating back over 20 years including those related to the engine rebuild. Service performed by former National Technical Director of Maserati North America (from the 70's thru early 90s) during my ownership, previous work performed by the well respected Grand Touring, Inc of Laurel, MD (now Dew Motorcars) for the previous owner.
The car is good driver quality, it is very reliable with a strong engine. I have owned 11 Maseratis and driven many more. This is without a doubt the most powerful classic GT V8 I've ever driven. I was told by the previous service shop that the engine was rebuilt during restoration by Holman Moody which is located in the home town of the previous owner. I don't have documentation to verify it. The car has 5 relatively new correct Michelin XWXs tires. Books and Tools. 1968 Lamborghini Islero in last picture is also for sale on ebay.
With its history and documentation, this Ghibli should garner its fair share of interest, as we can already see with the amount of bids. Even though it is not an original, it wears an older restoration that presents well and comes with a history that is as interesting as the company that built it.
Since it's introduction in 2004, the fifth generation Maserati Quattroporte has been a great success for the company, blending the renowned 4.2 liter Ferrari sourced V8 in an executive sedan wrapper that has been the go to choice for those seeking more flair than what the average German executive sedan can offer. Previous generations of the Quattroporte were more obscure, mainly because their sales were paltry in comparison to the current model. Possibly the most well known out of the previous generations is the Quattroporte III, manufactured from 1979 through 1990. A little more than 2,100 were sold in total. While its Giugiaro penned lines were a bit sedate, the interior was classic Italian luxury, with copious amounts of well sewn, soft leather and polished wood. A 4.2 liter or 4.9 liter V8 engine could be had, most being teamed to a Chrysler Torqueflite automatic. A few models, however, were teamed with a ZF 5 speed manual. This particular Quattroporte is an early 1980 model with the 4.9 liter engine. Enthusiast owned, this car has had a lot of attention in the last several thousand miles.
This is the 1980 Maserati Quattroporte, "4porte" in Marrone Colorado Metallic Brown and Cognac Leather interior. It has Free and Clear Title, Current Registration, Original Window Sticker, Tool Kit, Manuals, Service Records and a clean Carfax report.
Recently passed the most stringent smog emissions test in the country; as a testament to how the 4.9 Liter 4 Cam V8 engine is operating, and I have had the transmission and rack & pinion steering fully rebuilt as a preventative measure for reliability. All original emissions equipment is intact. I believe I am the 3rd owner and have done the following things in the past 3,000 miles:
Rebuilt Transmission with rebuilt torque converter and New cooler lines.
Rebuilt Power Rack and Pinion Steering unit.
Upper front Ball Joints
Carburetors synced and tuned
New Sparkplugs.
All New Fluids and U-Joints Lubed
Remote Keyless Entry Installed
New fuel Filter
New exhaust gaskets
A/C converted to r134a Blows Cold
New Tires
New Rear Shock Absorber Bushings
Grease Fittings installed on Tie Rod Ends
Valve Cover Gaskets
New Battery
New Front Wheel Bearings
Rear Hub Bearings
New adjustable alternator voltage regulator
Completed in the last 10,000 miles:
New Water Pump
Valve Adjustment
Brake Pads
More items listed in available service records
Additional Items that will be included:
Original Tool Kit
Original Jack, Spare and Lug wrench
Original Window Sticker
Available Service Records
Owners, Parts, Service, Electrical and Radio Manuals
Spare Belt and Radiator Hose Set
Spare UFI Oil Filter
Lockable Car Cover
Sheepskin Front Lower Seat Covers
This is my 3rd Quattroporte and my 1st 1980 model. My previous were an 1982 and 1984 and they are very similar with very minor changes. One of the advantages of the 1980 model is that it has the simple European carb airbox that's easy to remove for access. I really like the Marrone color which suits the period and understated styling. This car has an amazingly preserved interior for it's age. The leather is still supple and wood in great condition. I covered the top wood dash panels with alacantra panels (like 1984 +) that are removable to protect from the sun. The rear deck area has some warp-age but since the rear window is tinted, it is not noticeable unless pointed out.
The Quattroporte III as she is known was officially imported to the USA as a 1980, 1982, 1984, 1985-6. Years were skipped to save money on federalization. The later models were the Royale versions. They are robust and straight forward cars to run and maintain as the engines are reliable and under-stressed. Parts are readily available through several sources. The automatic transmission suits this car well and is a Chrysler 727 torqueflite with the lock up converter. I have had it fully rebuilt and shifts very nicely. Much has been written about the Quattroporte III, some accurate, others just plain wrong. They drive much smaller than they appear and I enjoy it most cruising around with the windows down in town, listening to the V8 burble or blasting down the Highway at speed and comfort.
For a 31 year old, the car is in great overall condition. All instruments work as do the power accessories. The paint is nice and shiny with minor flaws that will not show in photographs except for some chips that occurred when my bicycle fell against the passenger side door (see photos). Other than a keyless entry system, the twin exhaust tips, and upgraded Carrera Front Shocks and Adjustable alternator voltage regulator, it has not been modified or personalized in anyway to take away from how she was born.
The car tracks down the freeway and brakes straight and true, starts right up hot or cold and sounds great! The mileage may go up a little as I believe these cars should be driven often as possible. Most of the 4portes that I have seen for sale lately have not been cared for very well and would take much effort and funds to duplicate this example. I have spent the last 6 months sorting her out for someone to enjoy as it's time for another motorcycle for me. In all, the Maserati Quattroporte is a great way to enjoy Italian exotic car ownership and represents a tremendous value for a car that sold in excess of $55,000 in 1980! If you have any questions please email or call 310-406-6767. Below are over 100 photos to document the cars condition. A youtube video can be seen by searching for 4porte and my ebay ID c20500.
Having owned three third generation Quattroportes, the seller is an obvious expert with regards to this executive sedan. With the amount of maintenance and repairs undertaken, this is the kind of car someone in the market for one of these would want, as these are not cheap vehicles to run if something goes wrong. All in all, a very nice example of Italy's interpretation of what a big luxury sedan should be.
