Quiet here! I'm making some progress cleaning/checking/compiling parts-list, latter fortunately not too long yet. Got to the point where I want to clean the diff, but what is a good spot to put jack-stands under the car other than the jacking points? Also swapped the page I originally intended around, documentation of progress here: http://www.facebook.com/MaseratiKhamsin435?ref=hl Enjoy! Jack.
Hi Jack... 435 looks great!!! I like the color combo as well... The work you are doing on the suspension bits looks great as well... You indicate you are using diesel, anything else?? Keep up the good work and keep us informed as well! Mike
Thanks Mike! Diesel, a paint-brush and a toothbrush, and lots of elbow-grease. Of course it helps a great deal that the car spent its' whole life in a bone-dry climate. Best, Jack.
Hello all: Yes rosso rubino is gorgeous on a K. Keep up the good work Jack! I just had a call from an 80 year old man in France who has owned AM120268 from new, he wanted to find out about the book and one of the oldtimers from the factory interviewed in it gave him my number but he also told me about his car. This was our first ever chat, he is one of three people whom I know as having had a Khamsin from new: 401 in Scotland, 250 in Milan are the others! He mentioned how he had at the time become sick and tired of Ferraris with heavy clutches and bad brakes (he had 17 of them) and fell in love with the K when he got to test one when visiting the factory in period. He does not have photos nor does he "do" internet but explained that one unique point is that his car has a driver's right elbow rest which was made to order for him by the factory's upholsterers as the car was assembled. Silver with black interior sold new via Thepenier 24/8/77. A very pleasant chat even though it bit into my work time today! best regards, Marc
Marc... Very interesting about the France car, especially when you consider it's owned by the same person from new ( a TRUE one owner car)... I like it when we here about cars that we hear rumors about, and then they come true... So this was a 'hidden' one in Europe... What do you think about 'hidden' ones here in the US? Are there some here for which all we have are rumors? Mike
So this was a 'hidden' one in Europe... What do you think about 'hidden' ones here in the US? Are there some here for which all we have are rumors? Hey Mike Yes still lots of collectable cars hiding out in North America. In a couple of blocks radius of my house hiding out a 1965 Jag E type been in a garage for more than 20 years the same goes for a Maserati Mistral. Only to be seen if the garage door is open. Cheers Mark
Hi Mike and Mark, Yes it is very satisfying to become aware of such a hidden away mystery car...just look at the one Ed Waterman at Motorcar Gallery unearthed in California last summer which spent most of its life in storage and had stayed completely under the radar for decades...they do emerge once in a while on both sides of the Atlantic. The problem with ascertaining how many are still tucked away in the US and also in Canada is that no one knows for sure exactly how many US Khamsins were shipped back to Europe through the years but essentially during the late 80's and early mid 2000's. You will perhaps remember that a few months ago I made a count of the KNOWN number of US cars now present in Europe. If I am not mistaken it was 47...out of 155 US cars 100 of which in total were 5 speed. It could be significantly more...or not. Let's take for example this car I photographed in NYC in 1981 as a 17 year old tourist: it was in Chinetti's upper Manhattan showroom if I remember correctly: which one is it and where is it now? best regards from snowy Burgundy, Marc Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi Marc Wonderfull story, Ray Gulson of Canberra was the dealer who sold the car that Bob Kimpton now owns. I wonder if any of the original owners still have the sales and service documents from their time as owners? I would love to see a Khamsin Service book Regards Graeme
Well, it happened, and I am very heart-sore about it, but I can't find my keys, so must accept they're gone, together with the original key-ring. Does anyone know where I can get original blanks? How difficult is it to get the steering lock/contact switch out? I didn't look yet, perhaps hoping that the keys will somehow miraculously turn up, but.... Best, Jack.
Hi Jack, We know that the door handles are from Alfa Romeo Montreal. Therefore I would guess that the steering column lock is also, (but we've not had any discussion about it). I would advise calling a good auto locksmith rather than removing the existing locks. Perhaps they have some trick to identify the lock combination and can make one to fit "in situ". Question for Marc: Does the factory have records of the lock combinations that the car was originally equipped with? Did that ever come up in your discussions with Signor Cozza? The best outcome would be that your keys turn up. Carmine
The ignition switch I believe is common to many various Italian cars, notably FIATs. There are variations but I think the proper version is readily available, someone will chime in here. I've had great success with these folks for keys: Keys for Classics, specialists in code-cut keys for classic cars and motorcycles Their prices are very reasonable with fast service. Good Luck Probably in a coat pocket somewhere!
Hi Jack... Sorry to hear about the keys!!! Some suggestions: 1. Sit back, relax, get your favorite drink and just try to retrace the steps since the last time you saw them. 2. Think out of the box (they may be where you would least expect them and never consider looking). 3. If you still don't find them, repeat step 1 !!! Mike
That's really the best advice. For sure jack, they are somewhere along the path between the car and wherever you were when you realized you lost them.
You can always try what I did when I misplaced the new right hand door glass from my Khamsin I went to a hypnotist, did it work... sort of as the panel shop denied they had the glass but 3 months latter they found it in the locker of the head panel better who only used the locker only for speical occasion clothing!!.... so yes I suppose it did work. Graeme
Thanks for all the great advice Gentlemen! Alfa, Fiat, all very much alike, I'll scratch a little in Holland, and will contact the guys Doug suggested as well. One door-lock is already out (to replace a broken return-spring in the handle) so that lock is not a problem, hopefully getting the ignition switch out is not to big of a hassle either (Hopeful!) I'll see that I get blanks and take them to a good locksmith upon my return to SA in a good 3 weeks. In the meantime I'll practice Mike's suggestion, starting with no. 1 Best, Jack.
The web-site Doug listed above is great, and their prices incredibly reasonable. Now all I need is a photo of a set of keys of a Khamsin, so I can order the correct blanks. Any volunteers? If you don't want to put a pic of your keys on the WWW, please pm me. Did all Khamsins have the same type of keys? Remember, my car is very late production. Thanks much, Jack.
Here are my keys along with a blank from the suppliers mentioned. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi Jack / Doug.. I can confirm that my keys look exactly like the ones pictured.. My K is a 1975... Interestingly, the keys for my 84 Fiat (Pinninfarina) Spyder are the same (SIPEA)as the black key pictured.. The number on my black key shows 40916.. The other key has Torino on one side and has has Giobert on the other. The number on the key is 1733. Hope this helps... Mike
Doug, Mike, Armed with that information I am sure I will get the correct blanks, thank you very much! I still feel bad and am still looking everywhere....good thing I'm going away for 3 weeks tomorrow, will help me to forget about it. Upon my return I'll take the locks and blanks to a locksmith and have 2 sets of keys made! Thanks again, Jack.
Dear all, something absurd has happened to me and I would like to ask for your kind support. Couple of weeks ago I realized that I need to replace the hydraulic headlamp lift cylinder. I ordered one at Bill McGrath and they kindly shipped one to my address in Dubai. Unfortunately the Emirates post for some strange reasons delivered my parcel to a p.o.box instead of my address. After contacting the owner of the p.o.box he explained that he had ordered sunglasses in the u.k and this is what he has received. He refused to return the package to the post and after submitting official letter of complaint we are now involved in the legal procedures. I assume that the person has looked at the value of the parcel and has decided to resell it on internet. I would appreciate, that if you come across this part by any chance anywhere on internet, to drop me a short pm so I can try to spot the seller. Thank you, Armaz
Armaz Thats amazing, as a reference can you give ever one a location for a Ebay search please. Not sure how to go about helping I suppose if there is only one for sale that be a clue Graeme
Armaz, Surely you don't have to deal with the gyt who received the parcel in error? Hard to imagine what goes on in some people's mind. Good luck, Jack.
Hi Graeme, I assume he will try to sell it under Maserati Spare Part. He will not know that this belongs to a Khamsin. I know that this is rather difficult to find something like this in web. You never know, may be I am lucky to trace it. Best regards, Armaz
All packed for our trip to Holland, I went into the garage for cable-ties to lock the zippers of our bags. There they were, 5th drawer of my tool-trolley. Hey, wait....what's that? Couldn't believe my eyes, but yes, for real, there I see....MY KEYS! So happy to have them back after they were AWAL for 2 weeks, will immediately order copies from Doug's link too. Thanks for all the help and suggestions guys, sorry to send you on what turned out to be a goose-chase! Best, (happy!) Jack.
