Maserati Shamal 1992

Amazing little car...you definitely won't see another one at Cars and Coffee.

I just imported a vehicle and did a ton of research including talking to various border patrol agents and motor vehicle officials. You absolutely CAN import AND register this vehicle. The 25 year rule is pretty much air tight. The only thing the vehicle has to do is pass your state inspection and emissions...in TX that was a piece of cake. In other states (CA..) it may be different.

No matter what the effort to import will be worth it with this one...now please someone in south TX buy this so I can see it in person!

 

I don't understand your statement. The car is now 25 years old. It does not need to be NHTSA or EPA compliant. It is exempt from both and as long as it is imported legally with the correct paperwork, there should be no issues registering in most states (I can't speak for CA).

 

Would love to know how many parts these share with the biturbo-and I mean that in a good way, you'd have plenty of spares to keep you rolling. That engine doesn't share much ha ha.

I've seen these but never in the tin. Wow Gandini did a number on these

 

Shouldn't be an issue now that it's 25 yo.

 

Yeah, not sure what Finnerty was talking about. His post was untrue.

 

Remember its O.B.O, I accept offers, at 75k we are below the lowest price on European websites.

 

Ah it's already on the public list of acceptable cars for show & display as is the Ghibli Cup but not Ghibli GT AFAIK, things can change though. But this not as a daily driver high mileage thing.

There's already one here legally that's been to the Concourso Italiano show twice.

 

Yes, for "Show and Display" --- but NOT for "public road use" (i.e., street legal regular driving).

Folks, the "25-year exemption" does NOT apply to every carmaker out there --- there are exceptions. I'm not sure about the rationale used, but I believe it has something to do with whether or not certain manufacturers produced any other models officially imported (US market cars) to the US during that same time frame (late 80's to early 90's). And, makes such as Maserati did NOT import any models during that period.

If you go to the DOT's various webpages, you will find info and lists of the qualifying / non-qualifying carmakers available for the 25-year import exemption. Maserati has been EXCLUDED ever since the exemption was enacted.

Now, perhaps that may have been changed recently, but I still don't find ANY Maseratis on the DOT's current "allowed list". That said, I would recommend any potential US buyer contact the DOT directly and get an official determination --- it is certainly possible that Maserati has now been added, but I still don't see them on any of the publicly available published lists.

If my information is incorrect --- great. Someone please post anything official they find out.

And, FTR, I am talking about importing a car AND being able to use it regularly on public roads --- you can import about anything for "show and display" / "collection" purposes. Which is what I said in my original post.


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Completely and utterly incorrect Finnerty. Sorry man.
You're free and clear after 25 years. DOT allowed list and Show and Display are for 25 years or younger.

 

Again, I am NOT referring to the "show and display" classification.

As, Bob confirmed above ---

Go try and import, register, insure, and drive a '92 (25 year old) Ghibli GT... and, do let us know how that works out for you.

(I've personally already tried it)

Since the Shamal and the Ghibli GT are extremely similar cars......one would logically presume the same outcome.....

 

For those of you nervous about this era Maserati- I have a 1990 2.24V- also a Euro only car that was imported and legalized once the 15yr window opened.

With all the looks and thumbs up I get for this car I can only imagine what driving a Shamal around America would be like!

BTW no issues with legalizing and paperwork.
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So detail your experience? Remember it goes by production date--so if your 92 Ghibli was manufactured in April 1992 and you tried to import it in February then no wonder you hit an issue because it wasn't 25 years old yet. The Ghibli was from 1992-1995...but the GT didn't come until 1996?? it seems highliy likely your car wasn't yet 25 years old.

I only brought up Show and Display because you did--but that's for cars under 25 years old.

 

A 1991 Maserati Shamal is on the NHTSA list of "Vehicles Determined Eligible for Importation for Show or Display", as of 2/21/17.

https://icsw.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/SHOW%20&%20DISPLAY%20Feb212017.pdf

Implication is that despite being more than 25 yrs old, it appears to require approval to be imported for show or display, and not necessarily approved for road use. Fwiw, note that the model year 1992 Shamal isn't on the list in the link above (a 2 month old list), though one would think by extension that the NHTSA would grant permission for import.

As Finnerty warns, it's worth checking out before assuming just because the car is 25 yrs old (from date of manufacture, not based on model year) that it can be imported, registered and used on the streets.

 

Right but--because it's NOT being imported for S&D, and because it's over 25 years old, S&D doesn't apply which is what I'm saying.

You would import it "normally" and not via S&D.

 

Well there you go! I think you meant 25 year window though right? This Shamal pass that as well.

Looks real nice!

I have a 95/96 Ghibli Open Cup car which is absolutely verboten to drive on the road per the import agreement. But realistically with the only rubber in the suspension being the tires it's not practical anyway.

Now that car I'd think about swapping for a Shamal as I don't do track any longer.

 

Very nice photos of your Shamal! GLWS, mine is not going anywhere 😎

 

Extremly cool car, drove one in period. Grab it

 

Bump! This has to go. 64 000 Euros is what I am interested in. Mind it we are nearing the end if the year and the car is turning 26 soon.

 

May I mention this car feels great in the company of horses, both classic and modern.

 

never have seen of or heard of this car before. way cool

 

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What a great car. I think US buyers are scared away because of how terrible the V6 bi-turbo was.

Do you have Books? Tools All original equipment? Any body work? What does the car need, both cosmetically and mechanically?

 

Yeah tell us all about that ...

 

I have service records - not all of them though from the past 12 years of ownership - The car has a second paint, Thats about it. The car had a check done a week ago at a local Ferrari-Maserati specialist workshop and is currently serviced, in order for the new owner to have a 0-problems car. The whole fuse-box-electrical issues thing is going to fixed. In terms of cosmetics there are only two minor details that need attention - the rear ashtray is loose, and the passenger door handle is also a bit loose.

 

My favorite Maser off all time. I would love to bring this down to Texas!