I have a friend that is considering selling his 77 Bora, US car with euro bumpers and all original items. Mileage around 20K miles Car is an excellent condition driver nothing to fix mechanically or cosmetically but a not a like new concours class. Where are the prices sitting at now for a car that would need a little push for a concours condition?
That's a hard question to answer with such scant information. The late cars did not run right if completely stock so completely original in it's purest sense is only great for a true museum piece. If it's been running well for 20K miles then one of the previous owners may have addressed the emissions, carburetion, ignition and cam timing issues of these late Maserati but early emission systems cars from the late 1970s. The rubber bumpers is a slam dunk question for a lot of people and those pushing a certain resale agenda. I think in Europe it's definitely a negative and even here a lot of people simply prefer the look of the original European bumpers. I like both and before you dismiss the rubber bumpers have a look at #1044, now with Ivan, or any lighter colored Bora which contrasts the black colored bumpers. It's a more modern look for the car which in the 1980's and even early 1990's WAS preferable. Switching to the European style bumpers on a 75 or later car is a bigger job in the rear than you might think. Then you also have the "originality" issue to deal with. In the early 1990s #1044 was the highest priced Boira sale for a very long time. Tastes can vary over time but it's still a beautiful model of Maserati with those bumpers IMHO but then I am biased ... So if the USA emissions deficiencies have been well dealt with they are great cars but barn find uber low mileage version such as we saw about 5 -7 years ago would not be that desireable to me at least. Well and properly sorted in terrific condition is much better.
Let's see how the eBay market responds. A "driver" condition '75 with color change is up for auction. Can't post the link here for some reason. Seen it before - in Hemmings I believe. Black w Gray seats. Wood rim steering wheel.
This most likely would have been a Bob Grossman delivered car with the large rubber bumpers. Good colors. The wheels need those hub caps though ...
Well it got to $115K. What do people think about that? I think it's disappointingly low though I haven't seen it in person so I suppose there could be something ...
Hello--- This is worth watching; color ?, condition ?: 1974 Maserati Bora 4.9 | Paris 2016 | RM Sotheby's Regards.
Hello all. I recently purchased a USA model Bora built 11/77 with 40k documented miles from a gentlmans estate who had the car since 1999. Looks all original with one older but quality repaint. Runs strong. I need some advice. First the suspension bushings and cv boots are shot and I need to know where to get replacements. Also in regard to the bumper issue, is it difficult to simply push them in three to four inches to make them looks less obtrusive? If the paint is not the original color does it substantially hurt the value? Thanks so much in advance. Jim
A number of places have the bushings, they are not unique to the Bora, such as Maseratisource, MIE, Ovst2 on eBay ... etc. Other suspension bumpers from those vendors as well as Rubbers seal vintage car directly or Mr. Fiat on eBay. The CV boots are BMW 5,6,7 series Lobro form the mid 1980s and earlier. Make certain you have a small vent to atmosphere or they will explode! I did a 1mm hole centered on the backside with a felt piece glued to it on the inside not outside. Ivan Ruiz did a photo piece here in one of the Bora threads on his "push in" of the rubber bumpers. Do you like the paint? If so leave it alone and drive the car for your enjoyment. IMHO
Thanks so much. Sorry about the long time in replying. I love the car. Feels like an Italian muscle car. Here are some photos. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi Bora lovers I just came back from the Interclassics fair in Maastricht, Holland, where quite some Maseratis were on display, and also a few BORAs. See pictures attached, asking prices were all above 200.000, some closer to 300.000... At least 2 of the 4 cars were Euro-converted US-models. cheers, Tom, Belgium Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Economic woes, that sounds rather negative. Time to buy. You have to turn lemons into lemonade. Just Sayin! Ciao, George
I think that would be a world record(?) and if it happens it would blow apart Walter's insistence that US cars are the least desireable.
Walter and a lot of other very knowledgeable people, including yours truly! Such a sale would simply demonstrate that proper early Factory Euro cars are very undervalued and have a long way to run... That's all. Regards.
Such a sale would simply demonstrate that proper early Factory Euro cars are very undervalued and have a long way to run... That's all. Regards.[/QUOTE] Gorgeous car. Unmolested, original, as it should be. Well worth the asking price to a serious knowledgeable buyer. If that was a Factory Euro 1972 in something like Rame with Black leather it would easily be a 500K Bora. As I have said several times before: Just wait and see... Regards.
