what is the best?the most under-rated? YOUR opinions,pls!(remember,alfas,fiats and lancias count,too!) here is a sample of my top 5:- 1.maserati quattroporte IV 2.ferrari 456 GTA 3.alfa romeo 164 4.lancia flaminia 5.lamborghini espada
quattroporte IV! the gandini designed one! reasons-the correct SIZE.at 4.56m,it's the correct length,weight,etc. -undeniably ITALIAN looking.the design is highly debatable,but it's sleek,sexy and understated. -superb handling,good ride.fast..almost a match even for today's QP 5 in QP IV Evoluzione form on real world situations. -the new one,whilst super sexy,is just too big and the brakes are not so great,as is the quite jerky tranny.
I nominate the Maserati 228, in its final ca. 1989 form. The comfort, opulence, and driveability of that car were almost unbelievable. It came out in very few numbers, at the tail end of the previously-twitchy deTomaso Maserati era, so was in the wrong place at the wrong time, that's all.
Russ - I agree - in my opinion, one of the most beautiful cars ever made - PERIOD!! ALFA's idea of a family sedan - comparing it the the other cars of the period, there is no comparison. When I lived in Milano in the early 60s, I occasionally saw them on the road. Even saw one in a police impound lot - used for smuggling. Bob Z.
the alfa 6c is very good-looking.but i'd have to say 164 everytime.this car blew away it's competitors in looks and design when it was first released.it was never over-the-top,just elegant,beautiful and classy.in fact;it looks great and contemporary today. the ferrari 456 was such an elegant,perfectly proportioned and classic design; it never screamed out.it just looked bloody good and went like heck!ferrari and pininfarina have not managed to top this! the espada is superb considering it's original dimensions.try making a 4seat gt that balanced-looking today!(the conti maybe comes close) the QP IV is just classy,and oh so ITALIAN!!!!perfect for what Gandini had to work with. the flaminia is just so classy,it sometimes makes the equivalent s-type mkII look cartoony and brash!
What this thread needs is pics! HMMM...which is on the green at the Concourso? Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
AWD includes drive on the front-wheels, doesn't it? Nanananana! (Fellow Alfa freak, just not fond of the 164)
I would have to say logically the new QP5 is the best although I completely agree that the QP4 is one helluva car. I wish we had them state side. One of my personal favorite 4 seater Italian GTs is: Maserati Indy
the new QP is the best in qualitative and quantative terms, but lets not forget the; QP 3.2 TT EVO Shamal Ghibli Cup 164 Q4
It has one of best crafted interiors of the late 60's thru 70's GT cars. The stainless trim is a nice touch. Much nicer than my Bora's interior. Nicer than the Ghibli or Khamsin. However, it doesn't drive anywhere near as nice as a Bora. One's a modern car and the other is quite ancient. Much better room and comfort though! Bob S.
also would absolutely agree - pretty amazing for what it is and a favorite of mine as well. A real 2+2 Grand Tourismo with luggage capability Image Unavailable, Please Login