Yes, it does. Also the oil pressure is very good, even at idle at normal operating temperature. Ivan Image Unavailable, Please Login
Photo of one the upper spindles. The bolt pattern is symmetrical and the arms are also completely symmetrical. I did not pay attention and installed them upside down. I bet I will not make this mistake on the next Masrati I do a front suspension Ivan Image Unavailable, Please Login
I was told by Stuart from MIE that the proper procedure to torque the heads is to start the engine and bring it to normal operating temperature. Shut it off and let it cool overnight. The next day re-torque the head to 98 ft/lb. After 100 miles of driving, re-torque the head one more time. 98 ft/lb is a lot of torque and I must admit it gets somewhat scary pulling so hard on the torque wrench. Ivan Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Just be thankful all your head nuts are easily accessable. Another method some use prior to installing the engine is to torque the heads to spec, and then point one or two large propane heater blowers on the motor until it warms a good amount which sort of simulates a warmed up running condition albeit a somewhat cool one as the temps never exceed 150 degrees. Allow to cool, then retorque the following day. Repeat one more time and done. I have never used this method as nothing can simulate actual running but some swear by it with aluminum engines.
Ivan, I noticed the MPH speedo. Did you install it, or was it with the car? Was the car a USA deivery? Which would answer my question. FGM
Frank, The first owner was Joe Lubin, who also owned a Birdcage. The car was delivered to Los Angeles, which explains the MPH speedo and gauges in English. One interesting thing about the very early spyders is that they do not have reverse lights. The tranny has the switch but it was not wired. Looking at photos at other very early spyders they also do not have reverse lights. Does your coupe have them? Ivan
As you can see, my car does not have back up lights. The bottom third of the light is reddish orange. It does have the bumper guards both front and rear which were specified on the Touring documents - I have in my possession - along with the addition of Touring installed seat belts and MPH UK built speedo under Jaeger license. My car also has Touring installed rubber Touring logo floor mats. Ciao, FGM Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
A couple of months ago I told my wife that this white Vignale spyder was going to be my last major restoration. Although I enjoy working on cars this idea of dedicating multiple years restoring one car was getting old. The Maserati gods must have been listening and have decided to play a trick on me. What better way to make sure I do not take early restoration retirement but to dangle a very tempting car in front of me and then making sure it would be a real challenge to restore? I am weak and succumbed to the Maserati gods (aka: the devil) which I am sure are laughing. I am now the proud owner of Vignale spyder #2779. Yes, that is the LAST serial number. The thought of having the first and last Vignales parked next to each other was way too cool to past! I am at a car show this weekend and will post a few photos next week. Ivan
That's awesome news Ivan! I can't wait to see the photos. I feel one should have a vehicle for every mood. Good on ya, RF.
Way to go Ivan! Heroic efforts and what a cool combonation of first and last. Anxiously awaiting photos!!!! ~Trev
Wow, dream come true. I can understand why you could not resist. Hopefully your wife "sort of" understands, or at least sees the symmetry in it and reluctantly accepts it.
Last week the windshield was installed. It took 4 hours to install this piece of glass ! The design is like nothing I have experienced before. The glass fits behind the two front fenders and there is barely any gap between the fender and the glass. A standard windshield seal is used on the upper three sides which is then locked with an metal trim. Another seal is installed on the dash and the glass rests on this seal. Yet a third seal is installed on the bottom of the glass and four clips are screwed on the body to hold the glass from sliding down. I am still not done as three rather heavy chromed metal cappings will go around the windshield frame and will hide the metal locking trim. To hide the chrome capping screws three body color painted cappings are then installed around the inside of the windshield frame. When you count the number of parts, seals, screws and labor to do all of this you realize as to why they probably decided it was not practical for the production version. Ivan Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
The three windshield chrome cappings are now installed. This hides te windshield locking strip and gives the car a very nice look. To cover the screw holes of the chrome cappings, three body colored cappings are installed on the inside. The interior mirror, soft top catches and window rubber trims were then installed. What should have taken about an hour took most of the day. Ivan Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Ivan, Stunning car. If it looks this good on my computer, it must be amazing in person. Just out of curiosity, are the windshield seals the same as the production models? If not, where on earth did you find new ones?
The main windshield seal profile was very similar to the production cars, which is what I used. Of course the seal is not pre-made therefore we had to glue the corners. The other two windshield seals I had to match. I used at least four sources for the seals on this car ... MIE, Re-Originals, Wefco and VeloceSpace. Ivan
