SS Merak hmmm.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BLK-2D-MASERATI-1979-/330848015839?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4d081415df#ht_500wt_1182


Very little info, very low miles, very low price.

 

Seems to be a nice car, but those bumpers look TERRIBLE!!! First thing I would do is to convert it to Euro spec!

 

No interior pics, no engine pics, no service history, no owner history.

Run.

 

A word of warning, there is no VIN number "5272", since the last Merak to enter the US has the VIN: AM122.A.US.2846, with a production date in 1982.

 

I'm not so much concerned about the VIN number as I am with the fact that the seller offers zero information regarding what has/hasn't/needs to be done to the car. I'm glad there's another Merak SS on the road and appearing it somewhat good shape from the outside but, please give potential buyers some info. Also, the 'bring cash' and 'we don't ship' part is sort of odd and definitely limits who's going to be interested.

 

And for anyone considering swapping the bumpers, know the rear end bumper change is a rather large project. A new exhaust, lower valance panel, Euro bumper, and a good bit of handywork is absolutely required! I have an incredible soft spot for these machines though, wish I didn't haha.

 

Oh it could be a scam or someone who's not too sophisticated about these cars and just wants to move it. If it's legit then it's probably been a long term sitter, ugh.

vin# AM122AUS5272?

Caveat emptor fellows.

 

I called the guy the first time it was listed there. The first thing he told me about the car was that it "had rust." Click on the word "cash" in his brief description and you will see his craig'slsts ad. There are more pics there. Looks rough and $10K too much considering what it would take to make it right. I hope though that someone is willing to take on saving it.

 

Did you by any chance as for the VIN of the car? Because the one in the advert does not really exist.

Thank you.

 

No, I didn't. I had asked for more pics which were sent. The interior was quite bad (eg: a piece of electrical tape used to keep the horn button in place), oxidized surfaces on many metal parts, and of course the rusted lower panels. I wasn't interested enough to ask about the vin; don't recall if I had noticed the discrepancy in it. FWIW the seller seems to be some sort of shop or dealer. The pics of the car had others like it (condition) in the background.

 

With rust in the lower end of the car it's practically a goner unless someone want to just throw cash at the thing for fun. That unibody frame is massively tricky to work with. Half what he's asking is probably a bit steep by the looks of it.

 

It's back up for sale on Ebay again. This time with an interior picture. Price has been lowered with a Buy It Now for $18,300. According to his description, it now looks like he is willing to take a trade, or trade-in on his wanted list of specific vehicles.

The car looks decent from what you can see in his pictures. However, from what KenMerak mentioned, I would be very leery of this car altogether. If the seller doesn't mention the rust in his new description, I wonder what else maybe be lurking within. It would be a great car to save........but only the right price tho!

LINK: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1979-Maserati-Merak-Base-Coupe-2-Door-3-0L-/330853708616?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4d086af348#v4-36

 

I'd appreciate it if anyone made a call to the guy and ask the real VIN

The new ebay posting is still showing a wrong VIN.

 

I called the seller today (1/6). He said he'd check the vin. He's in Jacksonville and the car's in Miami. Might take a few days. It's also listed again on criag'slist (Jacksonville) where there are a few more pics than at eBay. The pics look newer; the car looks cleaned up (interior, engine bay, exterior) but the rusted lower panels look to be filled in and repainted. Not sure from what I can tell by these pics. I asked the seller to send me more. He says it runs, but was parked outdoors for four years. Definitely risky, but if the price keeps coming down... a lot......Will post anything else I learn. KenV

 

Thanks for taking the time to check, much appreciated.

 

The seller emailed me a few more pics. Scary rust. Someone looking for a project who wants to keep a Merak from being parted out is the buyer for this car. I think I'm over that fantasy. Seller volunteered the info he's open to offers. Email me if you'd like the pics he sent to me today fowarded to you. Still no vin .

 

Dear william.abraham,

That is the correct VIN. You can call me 904-866-2911

- 2011liriano
Click "respond" to reply through Messages, or go to your email to reply

 

hmm interesting, since there is no such VIN. The numbering ended with 2846 in late 1982, so the VIN 5272 is probably wrong.

Maybe they didn't read it correctly and its VIN 2572?

Oh well, doesn't matter.