Alfieri magazine, the independent publication for and by Maserati enthusiasts

..as a testament to how difficult it is to edit and proofread all the text and information in a high-quality magazine, on page 22 in the 3rd Issue of 'ALFIERI' December 2021, there is a technical error about the Bora: "When the hydraulics fail on that car, steering and braking are lost."

Correction: Only braking is lost on the Bora without hydraulic pressure.

(NOTE: The error is also a reflection of the complexity of Maserati's use of the Citroen LHM system. Each application in the Bora, Khamsin, Merak and Indy is a uniquely engineered system. The Khamsin's power steering relies on hydraulic pressure, but you still don't "lose" steering when pressure is lost. It reverts to mechanical steering.)

Cheers,
- Art

 

On the Khamsin in the abnormal event of a hydraulic pressure drop it is first felt in the steering which will become harder than usual at any given speed. the brakes have priority and the system has enough reserve pressure to allow to brake from top speed to a full stop, as confirmed to me by the factory during my book research. So the steering and even less so the brakes are never lost, it is the assistance that diminishes in the eventual case of a pressure drop.

But the topic here is the magazine, I enjoyed reading it, good job, very well executed

Just one detail not to be pedantic but because I love that film having seen it dozens of times to admire the curves of Romy Schneider, Jane Birkin and the Ghibli. In the film it is Maurice Ronet who brags to Alain Delon about Ronet's Ghibli, not the contrary.

FYI that Ghibli which was destroyed and no longer exists was owned by Mr Guy Real del Sarte, whose first nephew raced with me in the French karting championship 1984-86 and whose other nephew raced with me in the UK in single seaters 1987-1989, small world.

It would be good if the magazine -while remaining vastly focused on Maseratis, we don't need another lifestyle waste of paper- tackled gastronomy and or other aspects of Italian art of living as not everyone is interested in architecture.

Great road itineraries would also be a welcome addition; for example Modena to Portofino as I did in June 2017 through the Appennine mountains with a lady friend; an epic day though it was only in an Alfa Giulietta not a Trident.

 

That may be a good advanced warning signal of hydraulic issue, in case of no warning light...

 

The Bora also gives plenty of warning about a system pressure failure if you're paying attention when you start the car. The only exception to this is if a hydraulic hose or brake line fails then it's just like any other car. There is a flow limited device on USA Boras, though mine did not have one, that keeps you from pumping all the fluid out a break in the front circuit. I don't have access to my brake circuit diagram so I'm a bit sketchy on this. I think they are #33 & # 34 on this page https://www.eurospares.co.uk/parts/maserati/bora-usa-variants/suspension-steering/steering-and-bracket-piping-29682.

As a consequence of not having these limiting valves when I bleed my calipers the fluid comes out really fast. These are supposed to limit that so that you at least retain front or rear braking.

I should probably mention a well know, at least 30 years ago it was, potential failure point for brake lines on the Bora. There is an MIE tech tip for this. The vinyl tubing utilized to isolate the steel brake line from the attachment points which consist of two folded metal strips can fail due to extreme heat from the headers on the right side of the engine subframe just where it becomes level at the front. It becomes acidic and early corrosion failure occurs. Several USA cars had those lines just fall apart when inspected. I think the air pump which elevates header temperatures probably has a lot to do with this. My car was 10 years old with about 4,500 miles on it when I noticed this. My car was also a pretty effective blast furnace at that time in the engine compartment as I have the very worst of the emissions systems fitted to these cars. But it was also found on 73 USA cars.

 

Poor Alfieri magazine thread hijacked by nut and bolt talk, there is enough of that in other threads so let's respect this one's space, again I have all three issues and it is a worthy effort which I recommend.

 

Give it a rest Mark. Helpful discussions like this break quite organically from time to time and it's not like you didn't contribute as well.

 

I'm enjoying my subscription. Small mistakes aside. I know it is hard to catch them sometimes. Looking forward to the next issue.