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Merak

Discussion in 'Maserati' started by Anthony bentley, Dec 19, 2013.

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  1. Anthony bentley

    Anthony bentley Formula Junior

    May 20, 2006
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    London
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    Anthony Bentley
    #1 Anthony bentley, Dec 19, 2013
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2013
    Hi, should be looking at this Merak at the weekend, what are your thoughts?

    [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVBI92OeLbk]Maserait Merak SS - YouTube[/ame]
     
  2. Ferraripilot

    Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
    Owner Project Master

    May 10, 2006
    17,862
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    John!
    Sounds like it needs a valve adjust as the idle and low throttle application sounds a bit off, as I hear it outside it's too tappety, or it could have just been cold at the time. Looks like a solid driver others. Euro RHD Merak SS, rare, very.

    My only question is regarding the hydraulics, I see the car is listed as a Merak SS and it correctly as the Bora interior, but I was of the understanding no Merak SS with a Bora interior had Citroen hydraulics.
     
  3. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 13, 2005
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    Bob
    I haven't seen one in the flesh but I've seen them on the internet.
    That surprised me as well.

    Special order or Detomaso clearing out inventory of LHM parts?

    Hello Cozza!

    Maseratiblue to show up shortly and poo poo this one 5 4 3 2 and ...
     
  4. Merak1974

    Merak1974 Formula 3

    Aug 31, 2009
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    Gabriel R.G. Benito
    As far as I know, all RHD Merak SS have the LHM hydraulics .... and the Bora dashboard :)
     
  5. Merak1974

    Merak1974 Formula 3

    Aug 31, 2009
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    Gabriel R.G. Benito
    Looks very nice, although it is not totally original; inter alia air filter cover color and tyres. Black bumpers, so probably a late car - 1980, 1981, or 1982?
     
  6. Ferraripilot

    Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
    Owner Project Master

    May 10, 2006
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    John!
    Really odd Maserati would do that isn't it? Sort of a half-baked car for the RHD drive market. I suppose that makes it the rarest of the rare even if it's not in a overly good way.
     
  7. Merak1974

    Merak1974 Formula 3

    Aug 31, 2009
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    Gabriel R.G. Benito
    Actually, all RHD Meraks - both first series 3-liters and the later SS - had the Bora dashboard. The SM was never made in RHD version, so no RHD SM dasboards were ever available :)

    The LHM system? Well, don't get me (or Maserati Blue, for the opposite view...) started...
     
  8. Anthony bentley

    Anthony bentley Formula Junior

    May 20, 2006
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    Anthony Bentley
    Is the puff of blue smoke under acceleration anything to worry about?
     
  9. Maserati Blue

    Maserati Blue Formula Junior

    Dec 13, 2010
    947
    Europe
    #9 Maserati Blue, Dec 19, 2013
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2013
    Well, can't really be sure by looking at a short video and this car doesn't appear to be in the Registry, but here are my thoughts:

    Yes all RHD models have the Bora dashboard, there was never a RHD citroen dash, and yes all RHD models have LHM hydraulics. So this car is perfectly fine, it is one of the 147 RHD SS models produced by the factory.

    You could order the Merak with Chrome or Black bumpers, so that is ok.

    The Good

    - Rear fog light
    - Period stereo but can't be sure if its original
    - No major damage to be seen
    - Lots of service history by Maserati specialist
    - Vitaloni mirrors on both sides

    The Bad

    - Red and yellow lights blinking on the dashboard? Not sure what that is.
    - Some dashboard buttons have been replaced with non original ones
    - Front spoiler should be in black, usually body coloured ones have been repainted
    - There is a non-original metal/chrome "thing" on the rear right corner, not sure what that is for, since the radio antennae is at the front.
    - Black windscreen wipers are not original, probably painted at some point.
    - Drivers (RHD) side interior door lock is missing!
    - Non-original painted air filter housing
    - Non-original air conditioning compressor (probably a good thing since the York one is crap)
    - Seems to be missing the original carpet with the trident but thats not clear from the video (drivers side)
    - I'm worried about water damage in the front boot space. Older photos show the boot quite clean but its quite spotted in the video
    - Non-original screws on door panels


    Obviously the car hasn't been in the hands of a good owner, since the leather hasn't been properly cleaned and refurbished. I am also not sure about the warning lights flashing while driving, anyone with LHM care to comment? Since none of those exist in my car.

    If anyone knows the VIN of the car, please let me know.

    Thank you.
     
  10. Merak1974

    Merak1974 Formula 3

    Aug 31, 2009
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    I agree on your thorough assessment, Maserati Blue.

    I think the flashing red light indicates low fuel level. Not sure about the yellow one...

    Cheers,
    Gabriel
     
  11. Anthony bentley

    Anthony bentley Formula Junior

    May 20, 2006
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    London
    Full Name:
    Anthony Bentley
    Flashing light in middle is fuel light and the light to the right of the wheel seems to work in correspondence with indicators, I think it's actually the hazard warning light button (could be wiring issue?)
    What did you think of engine noise and puff of blue under acceleration?
     
  12. Maserati Blue

    Maserati Blue Formula Junior

    Dec 13, 2010
    947
    Europe
    EU & US LHD spec cars have a "FUEL" light on the left hand side of the dashboard, above the radio. See pic: [​IMG]

    RHD cars have different layout, since they removed the FUEL warning light. Maybe by moving the dashboard to the right hand side, the cabling just couldn't go there by design, so they had to figure out some other way to wire the warning light?

    who knows...
     
  13. Maserati Blue

    Maserati Blue Formula Junior

    Dec 13, 2010
    947
    Europe
    hmm turning and warning lights should be inside the Veglia instruments. Maybe a previous owner added the extra lights for his own convenience?

    Sorry, but I had to play the video with the sound off, because I'm at home right now and I don't want to disturb the family.

    Blue smoke usually means burned oil from the engine, which Is A Bad Thing(TM). But as I mentioned before, I can't really tell anything from the video. The car must be seen by a specialist to really tell what is going on.

    PS:
    sudden smoke in the morning should not be mistaken for burned oil, usually that is just water condensation.
     
  14. Mazz007

    Mazz007 Rookie

    Oct 19, 2013
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