Canadian delivery 1989 Zagato Spyder

My 1989 Zagato Spyder is a lot like me. It's DNA is Italian, it was delivered and grew up in Toronto, then moved to Atlanta for a few years, and has since relocated to a quaint little village near Toledo. We were also both born in September!

I'd like to think that it's extra special, being a 5-speed Canadian car, since there are probably only a handful like her. First, there were only about 600 Spyders built with the 2.8L engine, and about half came to North America. No one seems to have good numbers but automatics seem to be more common. What makes this car really rare, though, is it's Canadian heritage since it appears to have been delivered in European spec. Without cats, the FI 2.8L engine is said to make a range topping 250 hp (pushing only ~2400 lbs).

I bet you could count US-located cars in this spec on one hand. I wonder how many nice examples are still in Canada? Cool cars!

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This was a well cared for car, but there are a few things I'm working on that I could use some help with to get right. Right now, I'm trying to get the shocks replaced but MIE is out of stock and will be for some time. Anyone know another source for the Bilstein shocks?

 

Sorry for not responding...life intervenes sometimes. But thank you both, Bob and Ivan, for your suggestions. I really appreciated it.

I went with AutoItalia (in good ole Windsor, CA....and I don't mean Canada!) and it worked out great. Well, except for the fact that the guy who replaced them flipped the spacer upside down so that the rear of the car stood 2-3 inches too high. He knew it was wrong, but couldn't figure out why. It was a bit embarrassing driving home that evening. One quick call to Lenny and he straightened it/us out, and the shop corrected it. If I can figure out how to post pictures from my phone, I'll show you what he did.

I've done a few other things on the car in the mean time: new plug wires (those were a PITA), painted rear of mufflers, replaced incorrect air intakes, alignment, fluids, air filter, tidied up the alcantara, fixed the speedometer, and I'm sure I'm forgetting something (probably less than half done by me). Next, I'm trying to schedule a time to get the timing belt, water pump, and power steering pump all replaced at the same time (none done by me!). Lots of stuff to take apart, so while we're in there....

I'll try to post pictures if I cure my Bluetooth ache.

 

This is the strut spacer problem I mentioned above. I got the Bilstein shocks from Lenny and had a local shop install them, but they installed the spacer upside down. Beware, since it turns out this is a common mistake. On the OEM shocks, that piece is welded on in the same orientation as the spacer in the photo, which is deceiving. For the Bilstein part, the spacer in the photo should have been installed in the opposite orientation (needs to be inverted) in order to get the total length of the Bilstein struts and therefore the ride height correct.

Measure twice, install once.
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There was some significant pilling of the alcantara on the seat bolsters, especially on the drivers seat, as you might expect from 28,000 miles and 34 years of use. Sandpaper is commonly used for milder cases, but I found that a first pass with a set of shears worked best in this case. Wasn't like new, but a huge improvement. No longer a sore thumb.
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I looked into this and all indications are that it is a different car (did the one you referred to belong to Rick R./sunburn?). I got this one in early 2018 from Dave R. in Marietta (AbarthDave1), who also happens to be Canadian, IIRC. I guess it must be a thing...

 

I studied some pictures and did not find a tell-tale "fingerprint" pattern of scuffs or wrinkles to verify that it is the same car, but it sure does look the same. Dave, are you on here? Did you buy the car from Rick R. in Dawsonville? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

I tried to contact Rick directly last fall when this was first suggested, by PM, but no response.

For reference: https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/1989-maserati-zagato.531950/

 

Wow, what are the odds indeed. Although it is sounding more and more like Dawsonville is getting known for its Maseratisti! (at least in our little world)

Thanks for the number, Ivan. I'll contact Rick and see if he can connect the dots.

 

I guess I'm using the term Euro spec loosely. I was basing that primarily off of the fact that it has no cats, for all of the bhp, and is also in km. It is interesting that cats came in about 1978 in the US, not sure about Canada, but apparently 1990 or later? I guess it is an open question if the Canadian spec is closer to Euro or US.

Good point about the headlights, I didn't consider that, although the differences seem subtle to me (and I like the looks). Bumpers too. Take Alberto's car for example:

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/the-biturbo-spyder-zagato.549551/

But it's sometimes hard to know if it is really 1989 or 1990, so the origin of the differences isn't always clear. Series III Spyders look quite different, though, and were Euro only as I understand it. I guess it should be no surprise that there are variations that seem to be difficult to pin down. It is a Maserati, after all.

 

Yes, my car is in remarkably good shape. It has been well looked after. And I have taken my kids to school with one in the back seat, so it definitely can serve as a good amount of storage space. Although I don't know about sleeping back there!

As for stories, I hate to say it but there might not be many more. I might have to part with it, after 5 years. I have one too many cars and something needs to go. I'm afraid that this Spyder might be the one that sells first. My wife loves this car, which makes it even tougher. It is also easy to live with and doesn't tie up a lot of $. I'm surprised that more people haven't caught on!

 

Great explanation and examples. Subtle. I had not noticed that. Thanks!

...and looks much better to my eye than later evolutions, like the Spyder III.

 

I spoke to someone today that suggested that there was a Zagato version of the Biturbo Spyder and a "regular" version sold at the same time. Does anyone know anything about that? They said that the way to identify the Zagato version was vents in the hood. Rear spoiler too, apparently. This is news to me, but maybe someone has some thoughts on this?

 

Yes, that makes sense. But what do you mean by two versions?

 

I see, thanks Bob. Sounds typical of Italian-style production, having a spectrum of configurations (especially over time as parts supplies change). The notion of some Zagato and some non-Zagato cars didn't sound right to me, so thanks for the clarification. There seems to be less written and documented about this era than others, so I appreciate the shared wisdom and knowledge.