Marc, Without inspecting a car like that in person, I think stamping it as a parts car is difficult. Sure enough, a lot of time and money will need to be spent, and it will forever be a car with stories, but for someone with the right abilities and enough time on his hands it could be a very worthwhile project. A carlike that will likely end up with a Detroit crate lump and all that, but I wouldn't knock it because in its' current state it lokks un-attractive. I've seen cars in MUCH worse condition resurrecvted. Embarking on a project needs careful consideration, and assessing what the needs and possibilities are starts with a proper inspection of the possible candidate. That said, if you live in London like Mark, chances are that you don't have easy long-term access to working space, and having to have most work done by someone else. You won't be driving this one by next summer. It'd be interesting to know which car is propelled by the engine and box! Best, Jack.
Hi Jack: Well you happen to be one of not so many who could pull this off, like Marius in Norway or john in Denmark. Give yourself credit! That is to speak in general of such a project. But look at this one: it was crashed and stored...yes but crashed according to what I see in the photos when it was almost new and then very well stored for a very long time. so why did nobody restore it until now? Was everybody else too dumb to see the opportunity or...smart enough to see the money pit? What is the paperwork situation if any. Where is this car coming from?... That is my deux centimes. best regards, Marc
Marc, There could be a million reasons for it standing, stranger things have happened. I'm not saying it can be done with ease, just that before knocking it (excuse the pun), inspect it and get the answers to the questions. Economically viable: Probably not at this stage, but if you have to start your Khamsin ownership at a small budget and have the ability to see this through, it might just be your ticket. Since the engine and transmission are gone anyway, it'll probably end up a parts car. With that low mileage, it should generate a lot of very useful stuff! Best, Jack.
Need some help... Finished the rebuild of my Khamsin slave clutch along with replacing the top hose to the slave clutch.. No more hydraulic fluid leaks, so far... But, took the car out for a test drive Sunday.. All seemed to go well until I got home... I parked the car, opened the garage doors, waited a few minutes and started the car... The clutch felt ok at first, then got rock hard.. Waited a few minutes, same thing... Waiting longer, topped off the hyd fluid, and things got a little better.. What would cause this? I could even feel the clutch getting progressively harder, until it got rock hard... At one point the shifter would go into first, felt normal, but the transmission did not engage (ie: rolled backwards)... Somewhere there was some info on this, but can't remember where... Any ideas what this might be? Insufficient bleeding? (I would think it would feel spongy).. Any thoughts on where some info might be? Mike
Mike it's just a guess but I'd try bleeding it a bit more? With the high pressure of the LHM system any air get's compressed and it feels more like a hammer than spongy. At least in the braking portion of the system. That or you cylinder is assembled/adjusted incorrectly? Good luck. Bob S.
Hi all, is anyone able to recommend a specialist able to do a Khamsin ppi in the above area?? Wrong side of the Atlantic for me. Incidentally, visited yellow 409 car last week, sorry to say still needs LOTS of love and ££££ IMHO. Will keep looking..... ps. in continuation of my previous post, I see nice 4.9 from K plus ancilliaries is now available for the crashed project. Kismet indeed. Don't worry though Marc, I still won't be attempting to mate them, surely SOMEONE wants too! Very best regards. Mark.
Hello Mark: Thanks for the report on 409. Don't have any info on NYC are shops, sorry: in new England yes. Jordan who posts here occasionally has a Khamsin in that area. I sent you a couple of suggestions in a PM (see your message box top right of screen). best regards, Marc
Interesting article on the classic car scene in Teheran in today's New York Times, full article here http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/14/automobiles/collectibles/14IRAN.html?hp with excerpts below. Pascal Among the 1960s and 1970s vehicles joining the days fun were a number of Mercedes-Benz sedans, coupes and SL roadsters; a 1975 Maserati Khamsin that was once part of the shahs Imperial Garage... The Maseratis owner, Fathali Esfandiari, not only took hot laps, but showed off with a series of tire-smoking donuts.
Thanks Pascal: Yes I had received an email from Tehran about this car, AM120130 some time last year. Ermanno Cozza could only confirm it was sold new via the Rome dealership. There was no clear evidence that it went to the Shah -as opposed to another Tehran customer of which there were a few- but it is the Embassy in Rome which handled his Italian car purchases. The fact that it is owned by an Esfandyari, a family close to the Shah's (his first wife Soraya was an Esfandyari) would seem to give us two hints that the car had been part of the Shah's collection less than two years before he went into exile. I posted two photos when we first discussed it, here is another. best regards, Marc Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi Mike If I am doubling up on info I appologise. The Khamsin hydraulics do need bleeding more than once. I cannot remember how far the system has been apart. The Key with the clutch is to pump the brakes as you bleed the clutch. the reason as you may be aware is the return from the brakes goes via the top of the clutch master cylinder and the small reservoir. The other issue can be air in the brake system. you may need to bleed that as well. The hydraulics are very reliable but they do need preventative maintenance. The basics as far as maintenance goes is . The accumulators need new diaphrams all 3 ever 10 years. The system needs to be bleed starting at the regulator, Cracking the Valve (12mm) with the engine at 1500rpm. this could take 5 or more times to do. The brakes next, finally the clutch. Headlights and seat. One final note the Khamsin runs 64Bar in the accumulator not 46 as per the Citroen. I am open to debate on any of this. Graeme
Something to watch http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Maserati-MASERATI-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3f04d1816eQQitemZ270663778670QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks Graeme
Hi All Having searched the globe for a couple of top radiator hoses The Guys Bill McGraths are to have some comissioned in black silicone. I have yet to have a full price confirmed. I have three on order so if you need one contact them. Graeme
Hi Graeme, Already been contacted by Chris at McGrath's on this subject. I too have put my name down for one, think it helped in making the numbers up in order to produce a batch. Can't harm to have one in stock especially as I don't know if my car wears it's original 30 year old item or not. Cheers Bal
"THIS IS A VERY ATTRACTIVE CAR AND DRAWS A LOT OF ATTENTION WHEN DRIVEN AND CAN BE DRIVEN AS A DAILY DRIVER THANKS TO THE CHEV ENGINE." Don't you just love statements like that one. The Maserati V8 is not some finiky unreliable powerplant and the rest of the car is still all Maserati. Somehow the logic escapes me. Unless he means that it can now be driven daily because I could afford to stuff the Chevy in there whereas I could not afford to fix (probably didn't know how) the Maserati engine. Bob S.
Hi Bob This car was owned by a lady who wanted to use it every day. discussed it with me and basically she diced to have the conversion done. that was five years ago. She then sold the car it has had 3 owners since. Graeme
Was it a modern completely FI motor that was put in like from the mid 1990s? That would make the motor at least more appliance like. That's quite a few owners in a short time frame. It looks pretty clean. Bob S.
Hi Bob I am not sure what engine was used. If it was a new create engine then you could be right. The Australian rules allow another engine of the same age or newer to be installed. However I believe its an alloy block so it may be a LS1. The useability is there but given Khamsins are slowly rising in value who knows. Regards Graeme
Hi all, what is the correct colour for the triangled inserts behind rear windows of the Khamsin, fuel door in the right side? Merry christmas! Rolf
Hello Rolf: You might want to post a photo of what you mean so someone or yours truly can properly respond. Frohes weinachten to you too! Marc
Hello Rolf... I know the pieces you mean... I did mine some years ago... I tried to match them to the color of the engine hood grilles as best as possible.... If I recall correctly, I used a flat black paint... I think it came out well!!! Mike
Hi Rolf, Mine had been painted a very dark metallic grey. I've just had the bonnet grilles stripped and powder coated in Satin black, and when I get the car back the grilles you asked about will be refinished to match. It was difficult for me to tell what the original finish was due to the amount of layers etc, so I went the safe route and chose satin. May not be totally correct, but shouldn't look too out of place. Bal
The grills in the C Pillars should be a flat black. The asymmetrical grills in the hood should be a charcoal grey metallic. Joe
