Maserati Khamsin

Hello Roger!

First photo shows AM120272 and THE prototype Khamsin AM120004 both owned by the same enthusiast in Holland. 272, an automatic is in the process of being put right it has had quite a convoluted life on several continents beginning with the land of the rising sun, yes, with incorrect modifications as is plain to see.

004 has never left Europe, has a number of detail differences (and a one centimeter lower roofline as measured in door glass height), is due to get its engine back in which will be the finishing touch it was shown at KHAMSIN QUARANTA in 2012 having just been repainted gold its 1972 Turin world premiere livery -an Alfa Montreal shade chosen at Bertone not a Maserati color and truly stunning- after decades being black, in Sicily then Holland.

The other two on Japanese plates I would have to dig and my arms are falling off after my weekly kilometer in the pool so maybe tomorrow

Best regards,

MS

 

Roger thanks also for that, the body looks superb, like glass the interior is obviously not correct.
What makes you think it is the car on that magazine cover? It could be just curious.

All the best,

Marc

 

Hi Marc

At least I was 50% right. So this is what 272 looks like !

But what a gaffe on 004. And I was there in Gilly and made pictures of it !!!

Now I am wondering what you can figure out on the japanese cars I posted.

 

Hi Marc

There is no other japanese car that matches the older pictures I have of it.
But obviously you missed the pictures of this particular car before the restoration.
So here they are included.

What do you think of the engine bay after the resto ?
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Hi Marc

And just in case you doubt, the wiper position is the same on the car in the Magazine.

Not sure if the size of the advert is big enough to clearly see, but that should also be the same car.
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Looks like the LHM is gone?

 

Wow well done Roger, yep looks like same car...and perhaps AMLC is on to something missing in the engine bay?

Bed time here, exhausted brain shutting down....like leaking LHM system LOL,

Good night,


Marc

 

Thanks Bob in NJ
Getting back to the bunker this weekend, and test system as advised. Also great advice from Ivan, thanks a lot. This has been a good source. Three Spears

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Almost looks like the gold one has chrome front bumper?
Also:
Did they mix up domestic(European) and US production during the same production or did the euro run to finish before the US versions were produced

 

Can anyone advise?
Where did they source the side markers for the American version?
Fronts and rears?
I suspect Fiat
Would the rubber? embossed floor mats I have be original equipment?
Check carpet with large Dark blue/black trident in center.
(Sorry no picture)

 

Hello Andrew and good luck reawakening your K.

There are great tech specialists here that should be able to help you like Ivan and Bob.

When you get ready to drive it some precautions are needed due to the sharpness of the steering, the fact that it self centers -so you have to hold on to it-, is very direct and has the power assist that is very high at low speed and decreases with speed as explained by Bob. The brakes are peculiar too the pedal has almost no movement and reacts to -very light- pressure so have your left foot against the foot rest to brace yourself to prevent your body from going forward if you brake too hard, which will then push even harder and virtually stand the car on its nose, it takes subtlety so best not to drive with heavy boots (and definitely not with a cell phone in hand) but any good driver can master it. Likewise it takes just very light pressure to depress the clutch pedal (ie don't ride it when you drive). I wrote an article about "Khamsin driving 101" for the US club years ago and can provide it when you are ready.

The above is important, some people have had problems and damage due to not knowing that. Also K's are not low at the nose and back end but in the middle so watch for speed bumps etc.

The bumper on 004 (the gold car) is in chrome because it is the prototype no other Khamsin ever had a chrome bumper,don't let that confuse you.

Regarding US model production it started in 1975 one year after Euro versions and ended in 1979 3 years before Euro production ended.

The carpets with trident you refer to are not original and were likely supplied by MIE, Maseratinet.

Here is a good general article on hydraulics by Andy Heywood of McGraths in the Uk

Welcome to the web site of the Maserati Club

Could you let us know here (or by pm if you prefer) the chassis number of your car? I can then help you trace its history.

On a US car you can read it on a tin plate in the windshield atop the dash, in the driver's doorjamb and in the engine compartment. It always begins with AM120, thanks in advance.

Best regards,

MS

Maserati Khamsin Registry

MKR

 

Thank you Marc.
Growing up in Milan, and then Aachen, Germany I saw these but being a military brat, never too close. So nice to experience this historic model first hand. Like you and everyone here I have marveled at its lines and forms, construction and capabilities. Truly an outstanding vehicle in many ways. My dad who started me on this quest was a Renault guy and my Kamsin now shares a small nondescript warehouse with another Gallic icon, a Renault R-5 Turbo.
Thank you and all who have made this sight "legend". I will look forward to our electronic exchanges, and to all, whenever in NYC, give a call and we will roll out the red carpet.
See New Yorkers really are a good lot.
Three Spears.

Side marker on US versions?
Sourced where...
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Hi Marc

This car was seen at the Geelong Revival near Melbourne.

If modern rims are ok maybe the 4.9 was replaced with US-Iron as well ?
So, is it 307 with Chevy engine, or 317, supposed to be blue and cream ?
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Andrew,

Thank you, just sold an R5 Turbo 2 a few weeks ago actually, fun car, drove another in July

I have not been to NYC since 1991 (bad memories don't ask) but maybe in future, many thanks!

Re the US sidelights not sure where they come from they were seen on a LOT of Italian cars of that era including unless I am mistaken some Ferraris like 365GTC/4's, I have been focusing on getting those -I nickname these Ralph Nader pimples- replaced on cars by correct Euro sidelights which you can find on Ebay. At least I did for my ex car but that was 12 years ago. If you are repainting it is worth it: delete at rear, close the bodywork, Euro cars have none in the rear fenders/wings. Replace at front with small round ones after closing up the hole with a welded section and redrill.

I will get my bumper conversion guide back on the site asap and it includes that too.

Roger:

Will catch up on the Japanese cars later but I can tell you now that the car in Oz you are showing is the one whose exhaust speaks with a Detroit as opposed to Modena accent

Best regards,

Marc

 

RHD Khamsin (#371) at Coys 08th March 2016: 1979 Maserati Khamsin | Coys of Kensington

Perhaps they didn't clean it to emphasize that the car has suffered from the British weather?

 

I know this K , it's history and your description is correct. good to see its survived.

 

I too would be interested in the "Khamsin Driving 101" article. Being relatively new to my K with the intent on proper "go somewhere" trips this summer... all insight is very welcome.
The other articles including the Heywood Hydraulic read are great. Thank you Marc (et tout)
Richard

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

 

This Maserati does not seem to be in Sweden anymore
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This one also has left Sweden
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Tip if the spheres are +10 years old replace them, all of them.
Bleeding the system is straight forward.
locate the bleeding nut on the side of the pressure regulator. I have circled it red in the picture.
Run the engine at 1500-2000 rpm and crack open the 12mm bleed nut and let the engine run for at least a minute, don't worry it wont spill fluid its an internal bleed, close bleed screw
Sequence for the rest of the car is Brakes first then clutch, the rest will take care of its self.
Highly recommend you put oil in the Steering governor via the air vent on the top 100ml of Hypoid 90
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Thank you Graham
Followed your exploits and you are very knowledgable,
And this little clue is the best yet.
Can't terrorize the neighborhood till by brakes are rock solid.
Thank you again.
I get the impression few understand the inner workings,
Although the links provided by Ivan and Marc are well appreciated

 

Hi all!

Hyper busy but some very good news, will catch up to all the posts tomorrow

Best regards,

Marc

 

Thank you Graham
Followed your exploits and you are very knowledgable,
And this little clue is the best yet.
Can't terrorize the neighborhood till by brakes are rock solid.
Thank you again.
I get the impression few understand the inner workings,
Although the links provided by Ivan and Marc are well appreciated

 

Any insight into why our Khamsin's have two weird and expensive gas tank instead of one?
With mine out it looks like they could have extended the lower auxiliary tank to max and saved some tooling? I presume these were all custom applications?
Lastly:
Any preference on gasoline or grade?
Time for the first fill up and no Sunoco 260 on hand LOL

Lastly:
Any insights on the headers? Not sure of origin, but don't seem to be original.
Thanks
Fuel on

 

Header picture here sorry
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