Maserati Khamsin

Dear all,

What a joy to discover a 44-page thread about the Maserati Khamsin! Great reading, and lots of nice photos. Finally a place to gather information for my upcoming restoration of 120 385.

In 2006 I did what my friends described as "utter madness" and purchased a non-runner from Denmark. The owner had lost interest in the car, and I had a wallet full of Kroner from the sale of my Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV. The Khamsin has always been a favorite - Gandinis extreme, yet subtle styling, the fabled V8 and Citroëns pneumatics are such an eclectic mix - you just have to love it. I certainly do, and as the price was fair I figured that its now or never. Even if it was an automatic, which I really hate.

I most respects this car is actually quite nice. There is little rust, but its been standing in a damp garage for way to long, and some previous owner can only be described as "ham-fisted" in his attemts to restore the car. The original color is argento with blue leather interior, which is a striking combination to my eyes, but the car have been repainted white. Not only the car, but also the wheels, the door seals etc. The bumpers are painted black while on the car, the aircon is removed with a plate-cutter, and someone decided that what the car really needed was an aftermarket sunroof. Finally (and this was a nasty surprise when I got the car) the car is converted from right to left hand drive, which explain the missing aircon and general havoc in the dash.

Alas, I have some work to do. The hydropneumatic system is leaking, but I have a friend who is a Citroën-mechanic and have rebuilt a ID19 from a bag of brown dust, so I´m not worried about that part. The slushbox and differential was overhauled by the previous owner, so I hope they are fine. The engine is my real worry, as its been standing for so long. I changed all the fluids and soaked the cylinders in (the-stuff-you-pour-in-cylinders-to-loosen-piston-rings) for a week before I attached a fresh battery. The engine started easily, but the webers were squirting fuel all over via rotten gaskets, so there was no point in risking a fire. The webers are being rebuilt.

The plan is to strip the car down to bare metal and respray it in the original argento. The seats have a nice patina/are really scruffy, depending on who you ask, but I like the slightly worn look. Combined with new carpets I think they will look great, and not overrestored. The engine will get a complete rebuild, because this car is going to see milage, not garage walls.

The project is moving slowly due to lack of T&M - Time & Money - but the car is garaged in a dry garage with lots of other italian exotics and their hardworking owners, so its really a perfect opportunity to get this car moving.
I guess I will run into a whole lot of problems as the project proceed, and I hope I can get some guidance from you knowledgable lot - thanks for listening and please pardon my lousy english.

Kind regards
Helge Mamen
Norway
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Hello Helge and welcome!

We communicated soon after you bought the car.

You have the only Khamsin that I know of as being a rhd to lhd, though it is possible there might be others. There are some very technically minded people here as well as some interested in history and some in both. They will be able to help you with technical advice as will my friend Johan Helenius of Competition Motors in Alunda near Uppsala acros the border in Sweden.
www.competition-motors.se

He is one of the best Maserati mechanics in the world and a true enthusiast.

If you want contacts in Italy I have them.

There is another man who is restoring one near Uppsala as well, if you want to exchange notes.

Did I tell you that once in Ft Lauderdale in 2004 or 2005 when I had my Khamsin parked in the street a man stopped suddenly and said I used to import them in Norway? It was a busy day and I did not write down his details alas: he said four Khamsins were sold in Norway which of course does not match factory records but these things rarely do! I beleive he was truthful they may in part have been used cars.

There was also talk of one in a museum in Oslo: does this ring a bell?

Anyway best of luck!

Marc

 

Here are 3 more you had sent me back then.

A little trivia: the car before yours amongst right hand drive cars 383 is in....Sri Lanka so you see Khamsins are used to strange lives!

best regards,

Marc
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Welcome Helge. By the way, the english in your post is perfect. Much better than many native speakers in other sections on this board!

You will certainly find the regulars in this Khamsin thread to be of great help. Please keep us all posted during the anticipated restoration and post as many pictures as possible.

Best regards,
Michael

 

Hello, Marc, and thanks for your kind welcome.

I remember your story about an Norwegian importer. The Khamsins I know of in Norway is a blue ex-US car (AM120 1000) which recently came up for sale. Its been converted to eurobumpers and headers, repainted and was priced at 35 000 Euros.
The second Khamsin is a dark blue one that almost broke my neck when it suddenly went past me in the middle of a street in a small city on the west coast i 2004 or 2005. Dont know where it is now, though, but I am familiar with to of its previous owners. The third that I know of is a maroon/tan car that is part of a huge collection on the west coast. Its owned by a shipping-billionaire. I visited his collection by random a couple of years ago, and its a nice car, but..eh..rather static. And then there is my abused ex-UK car. But if there is a Khamsin or two hiding on the west coast I would not be surprised

Anyways: your contacts are most welcome. That two of them are based in Sweden is great, as I live close to the Swedish border. Thanks a lot! I´ll hassle you all when problems eventually rear their ugly head.
Another thing I´m curious about is where to find parts: I know that the rear lights come from Alfa Romeo Berlina, the opening mechanism for the rear hatch and fuel lid from FIAT X 1/9, switches from Citroen etcetera etcetera. How about making a complete list, or does it already exist?

If anyone here at Ferrarichat have information on 120 385`s previous history, I`ll be delighted.

Michael, thats really nice of you. Thanks. I`ll shoot some fresh pictures soon.

Kind regards
Helge
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The Khamsin near by Uppsala is now in Mållila.

 

Hej Magnus: ar Malilla nara Dalig Stora??

Sorry dumb Swedish joke not worth translating!

Thanks for the info: where in Sweden is Malilla?
Is Daniel N.'s contact info still valid?

Thanks and best regards,

Marc

 

Hello Helge:

Yes AM120US1000 was the first US car, light blue, was used in a brochure showing it high in the arid California hills.
I almost bought it for 17000$ in October 2001 on Ebay (prices had not yet gone up) but a North Carolina helicopter pilot beat me by 100$ at the last second!
He then eventually sold it to the current owner who did all the work very well, even removing the ugly US model sidelights.
His price is very fair, contrary to many.

Any help you can provide in finding any of those Norwegian Khamsins would be very much appreciated!
There is also one or was in the Strojer collection in Denmark I would like to know more about...

If you look in my website

www.maseratikhamsinregistry.com

under specifications and tips there is a list -kindly provided by Joe Corbaccio who also posts here- which identifies those parts sourced from other manufacturers as well as the source for some supplies.
In your labors make sure you put only correct LHM fluid in the hydraulic system: most anything else will ruin it: it seems you know a Citroen specialist that is the man who can advise you. Speak also to Jerry Hathaway at SM world in California and Andy Heywood at Bill McGrath's in the UK.

By the way Andy told me two days ago that there are no project or parts donor Khamsins available now in the UK, which is surprising as about 50 were sold there and the climate is hell for their poor rust resistance.

For parts in Modena:

google carrozzerria Campana: they have the former factory's stock. Best way to get an answer is to FAX.

Across the street from them is Officina Giuseppe Candini, he and his son Marcello are very nice and extremely competent: they do only classic Maseratis (and some later ones) I had a friends Bora restored there 3 years ago -for use not concours- and they did a superb job. You can also find them on google right away: Marcello speaks good enough English.

Then 20kms from Modena in Bomporto you have Franco Tralli: he is also excellent and maintains the Khamsin with the most miles in Europe for the Maserati club president of a northern European country (not a Scandinavian one though) who visits him at least once a year.

In the US the best parts supplier is MIE Maseratinet in Seattle, they also are able to give very good advice.

best regards,

Marc

 

Målilla is located south of Stockholm and east of Gothenburg.I think Daniels contact info is still valid.

Best regards,

Magnus

 

Hi, Marc

Yes, I think 120US1000 was offered at a very fair price. Its a car with a "history", being converted and all, but if your`re more interested in using the car rather than talking about it, its certainly a good buy. If I hear anything about Khamsins in Norway I`ll let you know.

Regarding parts from other manufacturers on your site: I know this list, but there has got to be more? I tried to figure out where the front blinkers came from, and as far as I can tell they originate from Agri FIAT, i.e a 70`s tractor? I have also heard that the front suspension is based upon Jaguar parts? If this is true: what parts, and from which Jaguar? If I was a rich man (didl-didl-didl-do etc) I´d ship the car to Carrozzeria Campana or Makela Auto Tuning or whatever, go skiing in Gstaad while eating virgins and fondling oysters, and collect the car (converted to manual!) the next week. As much as I would like to give donations to Campana and their likes for preserving the knowledge and expertise regarding all things Maserati, I am not in the position to do so...but knowledge about the original source is an interesting historical fact, no?

Regarding LHM: I grew up in the back of a Citroen CX 2500 Break (yeah, with the spacehelmet ashtray) with some extremely nasty flowerpattern pillows. I will not confuse brake fluid for LHM fluid

I am aware of Campana and MIE: I´ll get on touch with them when my wallet scream for relief. Until then I´ll be wondering if parts can be sourced from thin air. But right now it does´nt matter, because my brother-in-law and I have just picked up a beautiful BMW 3.0 CS which he will drive from Fredrikstad on the east coast where I live to Haugesund on the west coast. The drive (600Km) includes a fantastic mountain pass and an old cassette player loaded with music from an old shoebox in the cellar: The Police, The Jam, Steve Miller Band, Led Zeppelin, Max Roach, Egberto Gismonti and Nik Kershaw... The snow is melting, the birds are singing and I wait for the day I can take the same trip in my Khamsin.

All the best
Helge

 

Hi Helge i gott your first and second answer. I send you a PM soon.

Best regards,

Magnus Andersson

 

Are you two speaking in code and planning to rob a bank in Oslo or Stockholm? If so count me in: I have an old rifle and need the pengar too

Helge: I am sorry that there are no parts cars in Europe that I know of: it would really help would it not? I wish you to be able to get started soon!

best regards,

Marc

 

Here is one that is zero maintenance on a wall somewhere: found it while digging on the net....must be in the US as it is a US version -with Michael D.'s beloved walrus tusks!-...but could be in Europe as many of the 155 US versions were brought back east across the Atlantic.

Here also are two photos of AM120325, the very original car of the late Cameron Millar, who was a very important figure in British Maserati circles: note the number plate: love it!

It is still in the Millar family according to Andy Heywood, a very original car with a tired interior but a lot of character!

Oh and finally one in Virginia with a nice tag: I don't know this car: anybody familiar with it? Bob? Joe?

best regards,

Marc
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Hehe, yup! I gather that robbing a bank is the fastest, if not the smartest, way to finance a Maserati restoration. But seriously, I dont think I need a parts car. My car is "complete", and nothing but the exhaust pipes between the headers and the central muffler are beyond repair (they are crushed, heaven knows how), and I need new carpets as the old ones smelled (and had the structural integrity) of cheese. Everything else can be repaired, I think. I really only have two major worries besides the bank robbery, and that is the condition of the engine and a rust spot in the frame on the left side, under the drivers seat. It is a hole where someone has drilled a hole for the seat belt - straight into the tube. I dont weld myself, so I really cant say how big the problem it is, but it looks severe. Also, the throttle (converted to LHD, remember) arrangement has "potential for improvement", i.e I need to rebuild it.

Mr. Bäumer mentions a badly designed crank in another post. Care to enlighten me on this subject?

I am quite surprised of how well built this car is. Nothing like my old Alfas (GTJ and GTV - God how I miss them), which are really fragile compared to the Khamsin. There is a lot of work to be done, but Rome wasnt burned in one day

All the best
Helge

 

And so Mr. Bäumer answers:

as you know the 4,9-engine goes red from 5,500 rpm on. The crank of the 4,9-engine vibrates in higher revs. Maserati was very aware of this and welded additional
weight on the crank to avoid this. But it was made in avery crude way and is far from beeing sophisticated.

Ciao!
Mr. Bäumer

 

Yes as an example albeit on a diferent version of the 5 liter engine, that of a 5000GT was restored with very careful balancing of the crank and it transformed the performance: this car was sold a few weeks ago, after not selling at Retromobile earleir this year.

Wolf W. who also posts here occasionally also told me years ago at Cavallino that the 4.7 is more reliable but this 4'9 issue concerns only sustained high rpm i.e a car used often and hard at very high speed.
I would be very excited to have a Khamsin engine rebuilt with extreme care by one used to these engines assisted by a modern race shop: not really modifying but optimising...and then having a 6 speed box and a freer exhaust..

Helge it sounds like perhaps some neanderthal used a forklift to move your car or that it was loaded roughly into a truck at some point.

Speaking of the floor it is thin and must be checked anyway but any damage, which often occurs due to jacking up in the wrong places can really cause grief.

Another place you want to check is where the rear suspension subframe bolts into the chassis: if you have rot disease there it is big trouble often terminal.

As you say they are very solidly put together, though some of the finish and fitment of minor ancillaries is crude but that does not detract from the deriving experience which is very special amongst Modenese exotics!

best regards,

Marc

 

Thanks alot, Meinherr I read about this in an article about a 5000 GT resto conducted by Robertino Wild.

Kind regards
Helge

 

Hi, Marc.

Yes, I think a careful optimizing af the engine is the way to go. Increased reliability and performance and reduced consumption should be possible witout ruining the caracter of the engine. What are the usual modifications on the 4.9 V8 to achive this?
Regarding the 5000 GT: I thought they made a brand new crank with optimized design?

The neanderthals that maimed my car may very well have used a forklift. Luckily the headers are just fine. Even if the car was stored in a very damp garage, there are only what looks like surface rust: only the mentioned spot on the frame and some parts in the front suspension (thats why I was asking about Jaguar-sourced suspension parts) seem to need serious welding.

Maybe I´m to optimistc: there are always a nasty surprise or two when stripping down a car. On the other hand I have seen much worse. Its all down to time and money...

Kind regards
Helge

 

It sounds like your engine is fairly fit: that may not be the most urgent item for you: they are extremely robust. Supercar Classics published a 6 part restoration of one in the 80's (the car had been left in a field in English weather....) and when they opened up the engine it was immaculate. Just watch out for piston rings that break after long immobility but that would have happened when you started it up that time.

Johan whom I mentioned in a recent post did a fantastic job on tuning the engine of his Bora GR4 replica but that would be a lot of money: do you need that perspective when your hands are already full? That is why I don't have one right now...just being a realist....which doesn't prevent me from fantasizing about trips to Gstaad and the Riviera with oysters and virgins like you!

best regards,

Marc

 

Hirr hirr...you have to keep the dream alive

Lets hope the engine is ok. I think its wise to open the engine and change gaskets, chains and piston rings,and check everything just to be sure.

By the way, I was driving one of my kids to the stable this afternoon, and I couldnt help but notice that the car in front me was a beautiful argento Maserati Indy 4.9. Looks like it belongs to a guy a stone throw away from where I live. The neighborhood is certainly improving

med vennlig hilsen
Helge

 

Yes checking peripherals but it may not need to be completely torn apart: play it by ear.

If your new neighbor ever lets you drive his Indy you will enjoy it but it feels quite diferent to a Khamsin: not as responsive or agile you should go to that big show at a castle in Sweden I think it is in August and you should be able to at least get a ride in a Khamsin there.

Vänliga Halsningar fran Bourgogne,

Marc

PS: Just got info and photos from yet another Khamsin owner in Australia: will post later.

best regards,

Marc

 

I think I might have been to that castle in Sweden ... is it a private car collection out in the country that doubles as a museum? (Something around 30 cars ranging form Horch's and early Mercedes to '58 corvettes and other more common sports cars)

 

Hello!

No what you are thinking of is most likely in Denmark: it is the biggest moated castle in Europe and does indeed have a car museum: a friend of mine stored his ex Bira Bentley there until it was sold last year.

The Swedish event is a gathering every summer at a castle which has no museum: just that annual event.

by the way I meant to ask you: here is a Khamsin in Austria: found the photo on the net, source and copyright displayed: is it your family car? If not whose? De Cilia's?

Here is another view of that gold one at that Austrian museum/dealership: I wish they would answer their emails: I still don't have an answer and the chassis number: hopeless!

best regards,

Marc
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Is it Sparreholm you talking about they have Horch and 1938 Mercedes.

Best regards,

Magnus

 

Interesting: did not know about Sparreholm...maybe I will have a chance to visit this summer...

To celebrate 900 posts here is a fresh one for the register: AM120315 all the way from Australia, owned by Sid Davenport, whom I was able to get in touch with via John Royce himself an enthusiastic K owner.

"Hi Marc

Thanks for your inquiry regarding the Khamsin I purchased the car in 1998 the previous owner purchased it at an auction in 1982 it was stored unused until I restored it Paint / Trim / Mechanical finished on the road 2001 non standard modifications rotary air condition compressor / alloy radiator / electric head light lifters, the Khamsin is a great car.

Car details AM 120 315 engine No AM 115/10/49 0315 other numbers on plates /Autovettura 250097 /Carrozzeria 500102 Year built ? I think 1974 If you have any history on this car could you please send it to me as I don’t have any.

Regards
Sid D."

I put him in touch Mr Cozza for history. Sid did some intersting modifications to his car as mentioned above, of course some will loathe this departure from factory specs and others will salute smart engineering...

best regards,

Marc

PS: Ah yes his photo files would not upload so again I used my hight tech software: photograph the screen and upload those et voila: they never thought about that at Microsoft
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