"OFFICIAL" MASERATI BI-TURBO ERA ENTHUSIAST THREAD

My '87 425i was fun to drive and comfortable but much like a boat my good memories are mostly of the days just after getting it and the day it sold.
I still like the looks and have been tempted once or twice over the past two and a half decades since selling it to buy another. Instead I'll remember it like that pretty old girlfriend who had "issues", maybe could have been were I bit less wise.
Just this week I received a brochure and invitation to test drive the new Ghibli. It is powered by a twin turbo V-6.

 

Try the 430. Much improved car over the 425. Just like the last Spyders finally had all the wrinkles and bugs out from the earlier ones, the 430 did the same. Great cars!

 

Karif from Sweden or Norway ?

 

I purchased a 430 early this year. I have finally repaired everything. $4,000 for the car and $10,000 to put it on the road. a great car to drive. I have 7 earlier cars that will be scrapped. cheaper than fixing another, sadly

 

Late November in Sweden means summer feels like a distant memory. Have to rely on photos to cheer up a bit. Here is one taken in July.
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I can easily see how you can spend that much or even MORE! getting one of these back on the road but why didn't you start with something like this instead?

Maserati Coupe Biturbo Coupe 228 | eBay

 

^Looks like the 228 just sold!^

 

the 430 was there. a lot of improvement overall. the only thing I still want is the 4 valve version

 

I wouldn't. The 4V engine parts are a lot more expensive and harder to find. The 4V motors are also harder to service. The 2.8 430 has lots of torque and enough HP, there is a chip available somewhere? The original Karif (2.8ZL 3V) had a 280HP version available. Get that chip and you're plenty good enough to fly. Also, the original ZF 5 speed gear boxes aren't rated for all this torque & HP so if you drive it hard expect trouble eventually.

 

thank you. you should know. did you get the motor together no your car?

 

84 Biturbo just got a bunch of maintenance this summer and fall and everything is working great including the AC after rebuilt compressor and new rubber hoses!

The race car is still on hold though the engine just needs the heads put back on and cams timed. All the expensive stuff is done. maybe over this winter if I can clear out enough workspace in my garage. It's been stuffed for 2 years with a bunch of other projects.

Then ... I reassemble the GOC, it got a complete paint job and some modifications over the last 4 years just at a snails pace.

My life got invaded first by an Espada (still in process, damn little progress!), a flood to the first floor that forced us to move everything out including ourselves. That was followed by a kitchen fire (wife's fault) two months after the flood damage was finished, same floor too!

 

for a retired guy you sure find a lot to do. Bora back together? has the President set you any funding for your shovel ready projects? photo of the '84 out of the garage?

 

Hei Magnus,
The Karif is Swedish owned.

Cheers,
Gabriel

 

Here is picture of it taken in June this year outside Greens Hotel, with Siljan in the background.
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I still have my 85E


1985 Maserati Biturbo E by WIKD Cars & Such, on Flickr

 

Duuuuude, I see you have the Pringles performance chips installed. Awesome!

Seriously though, it looks amazingly clean so congrats.

How long have you owned it?

 

Would like to know are they ok cars or money pits? Looking for something different never saw one before. Love that classic 80's look and want to stay italian!!

 

as I posted I own 9. just about all the cars you see for sale are going to be expensive to make right. saying that. perfect is and can be very expensive. I paid $4,000 for a 1990 430. that means 4 door. that was the last US imported car by Maserati. they made a lot of improvements. I think 1987 was the first injected motors, more reliable and better mileage. I spent $12,000 on my $4,000 car. now everything works as new. maintenance was neglected. everything needed fixing, the entire car had to be rewired. the car ran ok and had no rust or interior issues. but I wanted a reliable car with HVAC. and every switch working, every light working as new. I have since purchased a spyder, convertible. will require the same cost. if and less I will be shocked. note the no serious mechanical items needed money. I have 7 for sale if you still have to have one. none run. $1,000. take your pick. but you had better have money for fixing

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/142560626-post43.html

 

Never sleeps. A BiTurbo related issue. Will it start today😉

 

Unless the battery is down mine always starts. It will get started this morning. Some preparations are in order for going to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix!

Some of the old Pocono gang will be there this year, hopefully plenty of them. It's a good event just a lot farther away for me.

 

Are you taking your cup car?

 

Thanks guys for your input! Will take under advisement, will keep looking hopefully something decent becomes available

 

Even if I could what would I do with it there? I'l be driving the 84 from NYC to Pittsburgh round trip.

 

So after much ado and fuss getting the AC working we managed to get the 84 coupe loaded with good AC working off and we went at 8:00 am on Thursday headed towards Pittsgurgh.

I had to do yet another impromptu repair only a couple of miles from the house as the AC cut in and out due to intermittent terminal connectors on the receiver-drier wiring harness. Mr. confidence here brought no tools so out came the toenail clippers to serve as wire cutters/strippers!

Ahhh .... all is cool once again.

Well today we entered the Cortile concours with 12 other Maseratis.

Shocker, best of marque!

To say I was surprised is an understatement, feels good though to see a Biturbo win best of Marque!

During the show no fewer than 3 former dealers came up and discussed what a disaster the Biturbo was for them which I fully understand given the time and circumstances.

Then after I returned to my hotel I rode up the elevator with a young Ferrari owner who asked if that was my Biturbo in the parking lot. I replied yes. He relayed how when he was in HS he got a visit to the Baltimore office of Maserati and that there were several service bays that had Biturbos in them with the hoods off and engines out. He then went on to ask if that was the last running Biturbo to which I replied no there were plenty and BTW I just won best of marque!

And so it goes ...

The ride home was uneventful though returning to a very hot NJ in slow traffic did raise the water temp significantly. But having that ice cold AC made the trip in the car quite pleasant.

Sports Car Digest covered the event. So there's shot of my car with the "trophy" a banner.
One of the engine compartment as well.

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix 2015 - Photos, Results, Report

Bob S.