Maseratis in the Chantily September 10 auction

Hello all,

Three very interesting Maseratis are on offer in Sunday's auction at the prestigious Chantilly Arts et Elegance concours auction held by Bonhams this coming Sunday.

FYI Chantilly, 40kms north of Paris, now about to have its fourth edition, has imposed itself as the ultimate concours in the world (it won that award twice in 3 years from Octane magazine) with the finest cars flow in from the US and trucked in from all over Europe, even the Pebble Beach Concours organizers have stated they can't compete, of course Villa d'Este and Pebble are hosted in front of mere hotels whereas Chantilly is one of the most magnificent castles in the world.

A very nice European Bora long owned by a prominent head of the UK Maserati club:

Bonhams : Maserati Bora 4,7 litres coupé 1977

It comes with a very reasonable estimate which is still too rare nowadays, though more and more sellers are now smelling the coffee and actually being reasonable, the market has readjusted but is still strong, the speculators have left which is great news.

A stunning 3500 Vignale spyder, identical to one I sold privately from the UK to Europe in March and so I can confirm these are truly stunning colors. It is a very desirable early version, one of the last pre-series car with long hood/bonnet:

Bonhams : Maserati 3500 GT Spyder 1960

And without reserve an extremely nice, very low miles 4200GT spyder owned by prominent Maseratisti in Germany

Bonhams : Voiture du Salon de Francfort 2001,Maserati 4200 GT Spyder 2001

I will be there by the way, who is coming?

FYI I am not at all commissioned on any of these cars, just thought I would mention them to those not attending.

I will post photos of all interesting Masers at the concours next week.

Best regards,

Marc

 

Hello Bob, Boralogist,

Since as the text mentions the owner bought his first Maserati in 1970 that means he was born in 1950 or before which makes him 67 years old at least. When you have owned a car that long: 33 years (in this case since 1984 omitting the years when he had sold it) you don't necessarily see it ageing and as you know in Europe the focus is on running well not concours. That is a very very different standpoint from which to judge cars. I will see it when I arrive in Chantilly Friday and let you know what I think of the 3 cars in person. Note again that the reserve is quite reasonable which compensates for not perfect cosmetics.

I would definitely not extrapolate a pattern of any kind regarding this car, none whatsoever.

I don't like boring grey but I like the provenance.

Best regards,

Marc

 

Hello,

Sorry you tell me, apologies if I misnamed my radar is way off modern cars (though I want a Granturismo S eventually)
I haven't paid attention to exact specs names etc for current or recent cars made in Modena, Maranello, Sant'Agata in several decades, totally focused on classics.

Best regards,

Marc

 

Hi Bob,

I will ask if there is a reason, possibly health related, why the car was delivered to auction as it is but again I don't expect to be shocked by its appearance in 48 hours, even though the auction is during and in the middle of a major concours the car is not entered in the concours itself and I truly prefer a car in its juice as we say in French to a Pebble Beach perfect trailer queen that never gets driven.

It may come as a shock to you but detailers, those chaps who clean cars with toothbrushes and umpteen kinds of waxes just don't exist in Europe (or are extremely rare and focused on some events). I recall visiting one in Germany. That is it. Many would find that ridiculous plus the cars would get dirty again right away anyway during the next drive. I don't wash my current modern daily driver Alfa unless i am going on a nice weekend with my GF because I have a 400m dirt road up to the house and rain is common hence mud...could not care less. I will never detail an engine bay in my life that's for sure. And just because an engine bay is not shiny meaneth not the lump therein is not in good shape, running properly and tuned right.

Conversely the sheer number of road/touring rallies, some over several 1000kms is huge in Europe (look at the ads in Classic & Sportscar which is easy to find in major US cities) whereas in the US such events are rare.

So the focus is hugely different. Of course this does not mean every European behaves this way and every American that way just prevalent trends.

Anyway more info on the three cars as I get it and when I see them.

Best regards,

Marc

 

Hello Bob, Boralogist,

Update:

Was just informed by Bonhams that the owner is selling it because he has a bad back problem and obviously for an older man in such a condition getting in and out of a Bora is too difficult. He is keeping his front engined Masers though.

There is a very extensive history file, it is very well maintained.

You will be happy to know it will be "shampooed and pampered" like a Hollywood starlet before a scene in time for the weekend

Best regards,

Marc

 

Hi from Paris Bob,

Put it this way, it is the contrary of one of those Monterey week concours trailer Queens which look great but are mechanically a mess.

I once, 20 years ago actually did an article history bio and test drive of a 100 point Pebble Beach 1950's Ferrari...the steering was sooo loose and vague I would have docked it ten points but then again I don't like judging and certainly will never judge there, So again the fact that this Bora is not all shiny pretty like a recurring Beverly Hills cosmetic surgery client should not make you miss the fact that it is very well maintained with a big file. I will see car and file later today.

Best regards,

Marc

 

Hi Bob,

Unless it is a room service date yes shower and shave

Having inspected it an hour ago and revieweed the maintenance file yes it is a matter of taste and I genuinely like to see an original interior, this may not be fashionable in Monterey on lawns but on an Italian road it would be just right. The only actual tear is a tiny one behind the passenger door's push down lock button. A funny clue about the couple who owned it is that the breathalyzer test kits (mandatory for a while in France where this car often driven) are in the passenger door pocket: "Before you drive dear, just one formality..." lol
The repaint done some yeas ago is of very high quality. The engine bay was not repainted. The only corrosion I saw and it was only on the surface was on the inside of the trunk near the rear light insertion holes.

More photos in the next post.

 

Not used to this (poor) new format of Fchat so sorry if I posted an empty post just now, here some more photos.
Rear bumper has 2 tiny bumps on the right side that did not break the chrome. Matching numbers, and what I like is the caution document, laminated, for mechanics/truckers who have to move the car, very well done and professional.

Have to run, best regards,

Marc

 

Bob it seems your last post is in the wrong thread...or what did you have for breakfast;-)?

 

Bora €82000, 4200GT spyder €27000 to a wonderful old couple, Vignale Spyder NS these are net prices before commissions.

Best regards,

Marc