Thanks for the kind words all. Unfortunately no great skills or workshop. Just making it up as I go and if it doesn’t work, do it a different way!! I’d say pretty much every panel has been made at least twice. The finance thing, although I can’t let it bankrupt me, isn’t the main driver. For me I’ve learnt so much on this that I’d love to have a go on the rusty K in Germany! Don’t think my wife would approve though.
Well you're way ahead of most of us on here. Perhaps you're just a natural? Natural what is another question ....
Hi Bob, my point is that not everyone particularly, outside the US, ties every decision and thought to money. Too many are blinkered like that. Sometimes people do things out of passion. I have seen a number of Khamsins, almost all of them in Europe, restored beyond value by people who just want a prefect running car they can enjoy driving. A lot. That applies to any and all enthusiast cars from Citroen 2CV's to anything on 4 wheels whatever the value. The culture of concours and auctions speculation -with very little if any driving- prevalent in the US is a decadent cancer; I will most probably never go to Monterey again, a greed-culation fest with too many auctions and sterile concours where 90% of the people don't go to Laguna Seca for the historic races instead they pose at overpriced events. In sharp contrast I never miss Le Mans Classic, every 2 years, taking place early July next month. That is an enthusiast's event; many hundreds of cars compete in the various classes shared by about 1000 amateur racing drivers by era, while 8000 classic cars gather in the club paddocks from all over Europe, 99,9% of them driven there. There is only one small auction; this is a pure passion event about driving, about racing with over 200000 spectators. The contrary of what Monterey has degenerated into. If I liked working on cars and could manage the costs I would do what Mark is doing; in 1998 in Ft Lauderdale I almost bought Khamsin #1298; it had been repainted yellow, was in dismantled Lego kit condition and for sale for $8500....of course I would have sunk myself completely since I could not afford the process so I did not go ahead. That car was ultimately restored by Gary Bobileff's shop in San Diego for a collector from Vienna Austria, who became a friend of mine later. It was special to have him come with the car to KHAMSIN QUARANTA in Burgundy in 2012. Your reference to brokerage...yes the market is awful but that's an entirely separate subject, don't mix passion and work.
Wow that was long winded! I stopped going to Monterey some time ago for those very reasons plus I really can't afford to anymore. That and most of my friends from when did attend are dead, with a few exceptions. I also left California (thank god) in 1996 so what used to be a nice drive, it no longer is, from SF to Monterey is now an air plane flight and a very expensive hotel stay. There ARE other Maserati club events in California. I attended one 2024 for far less money and with a much smaller group of enthusiasts. So money is of no import at Le Mans Classic? Those cars don't get purchased, restored and repaired themselves. It's a wealthy person's game. Surely you realize this. As for excessive glitz and glamor Monterey has nothing over the Monaco Grand Prix or the now three conours around the Villa d'Este on lake Como. That too has become unbelievably more expensive. The last time I was there in 95 you could still walk the Villa's grounds for free. I'm not so sure now.
I stopped going to Monterey about 10 years ago when they wanted $500 a night for a Traveloge. I stared doing the Goodwood Revival instead, it’s a much better event a lot more fun. From the East coast the flight is pretty much the same as length and cost, the hotels are slightly cheaper and the food is just as bad as California Cuisine.
Bob: we keep talking past each other over and over again as if in languages we don't understand, never mind, let's give it a rest, all the best. Joe: very true the Goodwood Revival is very enjoyable, I went a couple of times. You should try Le Mans Classic, either July 3-6 this year, a bit tight, or in 2 years, I can give you loads of tips on how best to get organized. -BACK ON TOPIC: this Khamsin, an unidentified US car already fully converted to Euro bumpers and sidelights, has emerged for sale in Germany, looks really good, I need to find a minute to call the man as this one is another out of the woodwork, aways great to see one emerge. I am not involved at all obviously. https://www.kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/x/3079664632
first remember i look at things from the view of an event organizer, Goodwood has so many moving pieces aside from the the racing it’s more akin to a military operation than a car event. The 2 events I’d still like to do is Monaco Historic and then Le Mans Classic. Monaco is next year unfortunately they dropped Imola from the F1 calendar. (Like to do a couple of events when I travel to Europe). Where is the international Maserati event taking place next year? Be great if it was in Modena in May.
Joe and Bob: see the separate thread I just started on events in Europe; please answer there not here, let's keep each thread on its own topic.
This auction site is a bit confusing. Many vehicles featured in the upcoming auction are listed multiple times in past auctions. Whether they were offered multiple times and didn't sell is unclear. Some vehicles were also offered with photos that appeared to be from Gullwing Motorcars https://www.luckyoldcar.com/fall-classic-2025-lot-listings/p/646-1979-maserati-khamsin-5-speed https://www.luckyoldcar.com/fall-classic-2025-lot-listings/p/641-1973-maserati-bora
That is #1260, search for my past posts on it, stolen in the 80's in New Jersey, stored/hidden for decades, I met the Brooklyn NY American Italian man who possessed it in Florida in 2003, he was cagey and wouldn't give me the chassis number but it had to be that car. It emerged officially at Gullwing Motorcars summer 2017. I inspected it there September 2018. Now with a dealer in NW USA. He told me a few months ago he has a clear title. Needs full restoration.
Hi to all This is 340 at Vernasca Silver Flag 2025, the photo was taken because of the other car in the picture, of course... Best regards, Roger Image Unavailable, Please Login
1088 is another totally unknown one to come out of the woodwork, it emerged a couple of months ago in farmland north east of San Francisco, it had been warehoused for decades. It was very cheap so sold very quickly and is now being offered by a Dallas Texas area dealer. Will need sleeping beauty reawakening. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Their name is in the eBay auction, cannot post link from cellphone. What is intriguing is that the car comes with additional engine and ZF 5 speed along with three pedal parts package. An ambitious project interrupted by money or health issues. Curious about the engine number as it possibly means that car no longer exists, so if you speak with them please ask. Thanks in advance.
