Maserati project started

[Skizzer]

Oh my, that’s lovely. Well done finding such a rot-free one, hope you can keep it that way!

 

Looking forward to uupdates - good luck!

[Six-cylinder]

Mechanically ours has been pretty good, looking though the invoices it has had an electric window motor,rear brake calipers, refit exhaust down pipe and air con recharge. We have had it 5 1/2 years, bought as a running project.

 

Servicing I have had done mainly by my favourite local garage and the Cambelt was changed by Damax Racing in Brackley Northants.

 

Bodywork has been our bugbear, new metal has been let in the windscreen surround, sill/floor, rear arches, boot floor, front wings.

 

I am so envious of a rust free Biturbo!

[lanciamatt]

I did the cambelt on my 420 years back, but this has the quad cam engine with twin intercooler etc, it does look similar, probably just a few more things to remove

[MorrisItalSLX]

 

I've always wondered this, but why do Italian Speedos and Rev counters always not sit at zero?

They seem to have the end stop around the 5-10mph/500rpm mark.

 

Italian build quality innit?

[oldcars]

Lovely. That interior is class. Even better than my 75 as the wood looks like wood. 

[Kringle]

 

Now that is a garage. Get that into the calendar competition quick.

[John F]

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[hairnet]

Awesome machine, always loved these (what film was it the baddies car in???).

 

Can't believe how many folk on here have one, rich bastard's !!!

licence to kill???

[lanciamatt]

I'm not rich lol, olds ford cortinas are commanding silly money, I dropped on with this maser

[Mrs6C]

 

I've always wondered this, but why do Italian Speedos and Rev counters always not sit at zero?

They seem to have the end stop around the 5-10mph/500rpm mark.

So it looks like they are moving when they are standing still?

[Wack]

I'm not rich lol, olds ford cortinas are commanding silly money, I dropped on with this maser

 

 

From my maserati experience I hope you still feel the same about it in a few months time , I had a 4200, every time I got in it something was wrong with it , lovely cars though but you need the skills , at least yours won't need the £60,000 SD3 to diagnose faults I assume

[tul66]

Good luck with this. I had a 430 4v for 6 years or so. Eventually died of rust. Never cost that much to run either to be fair.

[lanciamatt]

You didn't happen to keep any parts off it did you?

[JimH]

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!  Dead jealous. I love Biturbos, me.

 

The Blenheim Gang covered the Biturbo story extensively - https://www.blenheimgang.com/biturbo-story-part-1/

 

It's in French but there are some nce pictures to look at.

 

A while back there was a buyers' guide published on Bill McGrath's website. This section on the electrics made me smile.

 

 

Electrics

Your reputation precedes you, Signor. The alternator, mounted low in the engine bay where the weather could do its worst, was the first to go. The earthing for the rear light units was, well, optimistic to say the least and the infamous diode bridge for the sidelights caused premature baldness in many a Maserati mechanic. But the piece de resistance was the fusebox. Having already made a tour of duty in the Fiat Strada, the printed circuit board and Polish plastic amalgam tried in vain to liven up the Biturbo.

If you used the heated rear window, it would melt the fusebox into some kind of Dali-esque concoction that would never work again. I remember giving straight-faced advice to the owner of an almost new Biturbo, asking him to massage the fuse rail behind the glovebox in order to get his car to start. I have never known a car before or since that required a fusebox as frequently as a set of spark plugs. And of course, now that the bulkheads are rotten, the whole sorry mess is wet as well. Other than that, and the poor quality fused relays used copiously around the engine bay for such minor functions as cooling fans and fuel injection, the electrics are fine.

 

And for no reason other than they are so barking that a box of frogs would think them a little mad, a picture of a Shamal.

 

 

Sigh...

[Guest Hooli]

So it looks like they are moving when they are standing still?

 

Wasn't that a Xantia advert, dropped around the time of the failing handbrake fiasco?

[Junkman]

As an ex serial P6 V8 and P38 HSE owner, who has reportedly set out to buy a shonky V12 Jaaaag and to this day regrets that the deal fell through, I admire the bravery to take on cars I could not muster the gameness to poke with a stick. Hat dutifully donned.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I've still got mine! Absolutely nothing happening with it though, I can't even find a recent photo

 

 

[John F]

I won't be doing anymore work on mine in the foreseeable future, lack of spannering space means it's been languishing in a corner of the unit under a cat piss tarpaulin with the driver's seat in my kitchen.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Me neither, although I am paying an unpleasant £100/month to store it, probably the worst return on an expenditure that could ever be achieved

[John F]

Me neither, although I am paying an unpleasant £100/month to store it, probably the worst return on an expenditure that could ever be achieved

 

I keep telling myself the same - I'm paying £40 pcm, and have been doing for more time than I care to think about...

 

But I really want to finish mine when circumstances allow.

[wuvvum]

You didn't happen to keep any parts off it did you?

I still have the spare offside rear door which came with mine - it's a bit scratched from storage but it's still all there with its glass.  It's taking up room and is a pain in the arse but I can't bring myself to chuck it out.

[lanciamatt]

Yes I got them doors for it. One was silver other was black, when did you have it then?

[wuvvum]

Umm... about 2009 I think.  Or maybe 2010.  The years / cars tend to all roll into one a bit...

[lanciamatt]

When I bought it (From a guy in Wakefield), I had to have it put on a jig as the nsf wheel was sat back, it pulled out OK. It wouldnt run right though, I think the carb wanted rebuilding.

[tul66]

You didn't happen to keep any parts off it did you?

I definitely still have an oil filter (came across it today before I saw this funnily enough) and some parts manuals along with the dash clock but I think that's about it. Sure it was around 10 years ago I got rid of mine.

[lanciamatt]

I'd be interested in buying the parts manuals

[tul66]

I'd be interested in buying the parts manuals

I'll have a look in the workshop tomorrow and give you a shout.

[Six-cylinder]

Our 425 was not on the road last year, but was put away in good running order so I hope it will not need too much for it to return to the road this year.

[Kringle]

I've still got mine! Absolutely nothing happening with it though, I can't even find a recent photo

 

It looks pretty solid and grot free from my tiny smartphone. Is it?

[Faker]

Maserati owners are heros