Indy

No Indy love yet, huh? Well, I have never owned one (I do own a Khamsin and a new GT), but maybe I can help narrow the questions down...

What year is the Indy that you are looking at? If it is a later 4.9L model (1973 on), then I can comment on the brakes, as the later model Indy had the Citroen Hydraulic brakes, much as the Khamsin. The brakes work very well, some would say too well. It is not uncommon for a new driver to stand the car on its nose. However, the hydraulic brakes are actually very easy to get used to after a few uses. I can comment further, but I will wait until you can confirm if it is a pre-1973 or post-1973 model.

Also, if it is the 4.9L engine with 4 Webber Carbs that you are looking at, I can confirm that it is a great engine. Of course, the 4 Webbers are a bit of challenge to tune and synchronize. If you are personally adept at such things, then no problem, otherwise, a good mechanic is in order.

Let us know the specs and hopefully you will get more comments.

Regards, Michael

 

i love my indy's (six) i have an early 4.2 with dual pod dash. look for power steering! cars are tough in town driving/parking. a great road car! the 4.9 cars are strong drivers. i do not have a 4.7 but am sure there would be little difference. a very comfy car to drive long distance. my only drive was 400 miles, flawless

 

Completely agree with everything Mitchell said. When set up and maintained correctly, the Indy is a tremendous value and far better appointed and put together than many F-cars of the same era. The dash is one of the most attractive lay-outs in any Italian car and the interior is really beautifully crafted. The car is full of innovations and comforts that were way ahead of its time. For example, Maserati offered tilt steering column to adjust to different driver proportions - rare among Italian cars of that time.

On performance and reliability, in short, the 4.7L or 4.9L motor and 5-speed ZF transmission are very reliable and satisfying. I have no experience with the 4.2L engine, so cannot comment. The engine with Weber carbs makes all the rights sounds, moves briskly off the line and never disappoints in handling and performance. The automatic, however, is like going on a date with your parents along.

A couple of points to bear in mind:

1.) Certain parts are expensive and hard to find - even more so than with F-cars. For example, the switch clusters are very fragile and vulnerable to breakage. Most are broken and patched to some extent. There is no easy fix, no Italian parts bin substitute, and no appealing work-around solution. NOS switches is rare like hens' teeth and costy. Thankfully, there are dedicated, talented people like Verell at Unobtanium Supply who can re-manufacture them better than new.

2.) Rust can be a BIG problem. These cars had no rustproofing treatment and when exposed to harsh elements, rot from the inside out (and outside in).

3.) The Indy - like F-car 2+2s - are less desirable/collectible (and some say, less attractive or sporty) than their 2-seat counterpart. No question, the Ghibli has appreciated in value far more dramatically than the Indy in the last decade, despite having much the same running gear, performance and similar looks.

On current prices, I would expect prices range from $10k for a derelict parts car up to $50k (or more) for a perfect car. This is nothing more than my own SWAG. However, an Indy recently sold at auction for big bucks. I can't recall the exact amount, serial number of the car or place and date of the auction, but it was in a recent issue of SCM. Undoubtedly, someone on F-Chat has the details close at hand.

If the car appeals to you and checks out (PPI, records, etc.), buy what you like and enjoy it. If it seems "cheap" to you, there is probably a good reason. To make these cars right after years of neglect or underfunded maintenance requires great patience and deep pockets, both in amounts that may exceed any resale or appreciation "value" you might ever see.

 

when you finish looking please let me know where the rejects are, i may have some money left

 

Speaking in general terms, Indys are very good value for money, have always been very affordable and are the qunitessental Maserati Grand Touring car, fast yet comfortable, beautful yet roomy, which is a very useful point if you have a wife and kids: they can't complain about lack of seating and storage space.

I have great fondness for them as my very first ride in a Maserati took place in a light blue one in 1975 on the Autobahn in Germany when we lived there: my late father was driving the car and I just fell head over heels for the experience, the sound, the speed, the smell of the leather. He was running Citroen Germany at the time and therefore had his pick of the Masers available for sale in Cologne at the big Citroen dealership. He brought a navy Merak home once and a Khamsin, though I did not get to ride in it but I did get to sit in a new one in the dealership: I was 11 years old and they unwrapped all the plastic so I could get in: that was exciting it was actually similar in color to what would be my car, decades later. I have a feeling the Indy was his favorite though...

best regards,

Marc

 

You are welcome. The problem in Indys is rust: it can be particularly bad: I remember seeing clapped out cars with bumpers falling off and additional headlights under the nose askew, rust visible from 30 feet....25 year ago in Europe. Of course these were cars driven hard over large distances year round including in winter on salted roads, always parked outside and in the hands of owners who gave them zero care etc.

That being said you are bound to find a good one if you look for it, as always avoid cars needing too much work, they are false bargains: pay up front for the best you can afford. Try to get a 4.7 at least or 4.9.

best regards,

Marc

 

Marc why don't you like the 4.2?

Best regards!

Magnus

 

Hejsan Magnus!

Well personally I would take a 4.9 but to answer your question it is to me simply a matter of performance as my primary interest in the use of these cars is spirited driving but there is nothing wrong with a 4.2 if someone is not concerned with speed and is more of a concours type.

 

Marc i think you take the 4,9 because the Khamsin have it.

mvh Magnus

 

Hah! That is a good guess but not quite: the Indy's is a wet sump version, very much a front engine in terms of its placement, whereas the Khamsin's is dry sump and front mid engined as the block is behind the front axle and believe me the Indy is not nearly as well handling, it is much more ponderous...however it is much roomier inside so it depends on your priorities.

best regards,

Marc

 

Don't have a photo of when my dad brought one home alas but here is one taken about the same time more or less, 30 or 32 years ago in Switzerland with my little instamatic.
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One moore Instamatic taken Indy. This one is from Stockholm Sweden in 1976. Look at the other cars looks very old.

Magnus
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it's that kick in the back that makes the larger motor desirable, its all about power, like our President. u know pick up the phone and fire someone that does not work for you. power man

 

My 4,2 was faster then many F cars on the long strait on the Mantorp Race track!
A properly tuned 4,2 can be wery fast.It revs more freely,and the early cars are a bit more brutal.No power steering,even my Daughter does not like Power steering on the Indy.You loose feel at high speed over 180 Kmh.

Also,change to Carbotech Brake pads.A wery good investment to uppgrade the Girling brake discs system.Indy is mow sold.

Ciao!/Patrik
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Here's an Indy for sale somewhere in BC (area code 250). Photo appears to have been taken at the Italian Car & MC show held each June in North Vancouver, BC. I have no connection to the car or owner.
http://www.buysell.com/root/detail/BC/Collector_Cars_1950_1983/2216/71800636/1972_MASERATI_INDY_AMERICA_4_7L_classic.aspx


Jon