Tag Archives: maserati

Lightening Maserati Wrap- Maserati GranCabrio

Based on the same Maserati Quattroporte V as the Maserati GranTurismo Coupé the GranCabrio was launched in 2010 to become Maserati’s first four seat convertible.

Maserati GranCabrio, Andrew Philips, Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, Cholmondeley Castle

The running gear is identical to the Maserati GranTurismo S which includes ZF 6-speed automatic transmission, Skyhook adaptive suspension, alternate under-door mini-skirts, non-black underlayed front lights, 20 inch wheel rims with “Trident” design, Bluetooth wireless technology and iPod interface all as a standard synthesis of Maserati performance and luxury components

Maserati GranCabrio, Andrew Philips, Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, Cholmondeley Castle

Today’s featured car belongs to Mr Paul Hilton, owner of Cheshire Wellness, strap line “live life well”, a family firm specialising in the design and installation of swimming pools.

Maserati GranCabrio, Andrew Philips, Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, Cholmondeley Castle

I’m not sure if Mr Hilton uses his Maserati GranCabrio, seen here being driven by Andrew Philips at the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, as a daily driver, but if he did I am sure his customers kids would have no trouble identifying with the man with the Lightening McQueen car.

The wrap was carried out by Wrap Vehicles of Sale, South West Manchester, surprisingly it is not the only Lightening Maserati as evidenced in this link.

Thanks for joining me on this Lightening Maserati Wrap edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at another aero engined Edwardian car. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Carbon Fibre Customisation – Maserati GranTurismo S MC Sport Line

The Maserati GranTurismo was launched in 2007 to replace the Maserati Tipo M138 Coupé and Spyder models.

Maserati GranTurismo S MC Sport Line, Bristol Italia Auto Moto Festival,

The GranTurismo shares it’s platform with the Maserati Quattroporte V and the 2+2 body which sits on it has a drag coefficient of cd 0.33 despite the voluminous intake in the nose.

Maserati GranTurismo S MC Sport Line, Bristol Italia Auto Moto Festival,

For the first two years of GranTurismo production the model was powered by variants of the 4.2 litre / 259 cui Ferrari/Maserati F136 U V8 which produced 399 hp with a ZF 6 speed automatic transmission.

Maserati GranTurismo S MC Sport Line, Bristol Italia Auto Moto Festival,

The 2011 Maserati GranTurismo S MC-shift is powered by a 440hp variant of 4.7 litre / 286 cui Ferrari / Maserati F136 Y V8 and is fitted with a ZF 6 speed sequential semi automatic transmission.

Maserati GranTurismo S MC Sport Line, Bristol Italia Auto Moto Festival,

The MC Spot Line trim is derived from the limited edition GranTurismo MC models produced in 2009/10.

Maserati GranTurismo S MC Sport Line, Bristol Italia Auto Moto Festival,

Interior MC Sport Line goodies include; carbon fibre steering wheel rim, paddle shifters, instrument panel, dashboard and door panels.

Maserati GranTurismo S MC Sport Line, Bristol Italia Auto Moto Festival,

Exterior MC Sport Line package options include lowered and stiffened suspension with custom Maserati Stability Programme software and the more obvious 20 inch wheels, front and rear carbon fibre spoilers, mirror housings and door handles.

Thanks for joining me on this Carbon Fibre Customisation edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at New Zealand’s 1958 Standing Start Quarter Mile Sprint record holder. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Forbes Best GT – Maserati Spyder

Launched at the 2001 Frankfurt Show the Maserati Spyder marked the return of the Maserati brand to the North American market where Forbes Magazine crowned the Spyder with it’s Best GT of 2001 accolade.

Maserati Spyder, Bristol Italian Auto Moto Festival,

The Spyder shares a shortened version of the Tipo M138 platform and running gear of it’s contemporaneous Coupé sibiling.

Maserati Spyder, Bristol Italian Auto Moto Festival,

The push button operated soft top will stow or deploy in 30 seconds, despite it’s shorter length chassis strengthening raises the overall weight of the Spyder by 140 Coupé.

Maserati Spyder, Bristol Italian Auto Moto Festival,

Despite the weight difference the performance of the Coupé and Spyder are virtually identical some testers finding the Coupé faster while other found the Spyder, such as the 2002 example seen here at the Bristol Italian Auto Moto Festival, to be quicker.

Both variants were replaced by the Maserati Gran Turismo in 2007.

Thanks for joining me on this “Forbes Best GT” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at “biggest automotive waste of time, money and engineering expertise ever built”. Don’t forget to come back now !

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One Hundred And Sixty Three Feet – Maserati Coupé

Today’s featured 2002 Tipo M138 Maserati Coupé is a descedant of the original Ghibli, Khamsin, Shamal, 3200 GT line of 2+ tourers.

Maserati Coupé, Bristol Italian Auto Moto Fest, Bristol

As with the Tipo AM115 Ghibli Giorgetto Giugiaro was responsible for styling the Maserati Coupé although he was no longer working for Ghia, a company which had long since been acquired by Ford, but instead ItalDesign.

Maserati Coupé, Bristol Italian Auto Moto Fest, Bristol

The Coupé is powered by a 385hp 4244 cc / 259 cui Ferrari / Maserati F136 R V8 that in this particular vehicle powers the rear wheels through a paddle shift ‘Cambiocorsa’ electrohydraulic manual transmission, instead of the regular 6 speed gear box.

Maserati Coupé, Bristol Italian Auto Moto Fest, Bristol

Reaching 110 mph in a 13.2 second sprint from rest over a 1/4 mile the Coupé, unofficially also known as the 4200 GT, is capable of coming to a complete stop from 70 mph in just 163 feet.

Maserati Coupé, Bristol Italian Auto Moto Fest, Bristol

The owner of this Coupé had a DMS ECU fitted which along with modified rear silencers / mufflers and a BMC Air Filter facilitate 380hp being delivered to the rear wheels.

Thanks for joining me on this “One Hundred And Sixty Three Feet” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I shall be looking a Zepplin powered Maybach Special. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Hot & Violent – Maserati Khamsin

The Maserati Khamsin was launched in 1974 to replace the Maserati Ghibli and like it’s predecessor the cockpit accommodated two seats and two rear cushions.

Maserati Khamsin, Auto Italia, Brooklands

For the first time Maserati commissioned Bertone to design the Khamsin and Marcello Gandini is credited with carrying out the work on behalf of his employer which included asymmetrical vents in the bonnet /hood. A post 1977 Khamsin like this 1978 example is easily distinguished by the three vents at the front.

Maserati Khamsin, Auto Italia, Brooklands

Like the late Maserati Indy, Bora and early Merak models the Khamsin was building a selection of parts from owner Citroën’s parts bin that included braking and steering components.

Maserati Khamsin, Auto Italia, Brooklands

The Khamsin was the only Maserati to be fitted with Citroen’s self centering steering gear, meaning the driver must hold the steering wheel at all times when negotiating corners because other wise the steering wheel will positively self center in a much shorter time than a traditional self centering system activated by the castor angle of the front wheels.

Maserati Khamsin, Auto Italia, Brooklands

Only the 4.9 litre / 300 cui V8 engine from the Maserati Ghibli SS was available to 170 mph Khamsin customers, this was fitted with Bosch fuel injection, replacing the Weber Carburettors and produced 10hp less than the 330hp Ghibli SS.

Maserati Khamsin, Auto Italia, Brooklands

Khamsin is the name given to a hot and violent Egyptian wind that blows in the desert for 50 days.

Production of the Khamsin ended in 1982 with only 435 vehicles built a disappointing third of the number of it’s predecessor, it was the last V8 Maserati model to be built until the arrival of the Shamal in 1990.

Thanks for joining me on this “Hot & Violent” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at another aero engined car, not powered by a Curtiss OX motor. Don’t forget to come back now !

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One Seventy Four – Maserati Ghibli SS

In 1969, three years after the launch of the original Tipo AM115 Maserati Ghibli the Tipo AM115/49 Maserati Ghibli SS was introduced.

Maserati Ghibli SS, Silverstone Classic,

The major difference between was the increased displacement of the quad cam motor up from 4,719 cc / 288 cui to 4,930 cc / 301 cui which with the latest four vertical twin Weber 42 DCNF/11 carburettors pushed the power up from 310 hp to 330 hp.

Maserati Ghibli SS, Silverstone Classic,

Similarly the top speed was pushed up from 155 mph to 174 mph.

Maserati Ghibli SS, Silverstone Classic,

After 1,195 Ghibli Coupé’s and Spyders of both AM115 and AM 115/49 types had been manufactured Maserati dropped the Ghibli for a new Bertone designed Maserati Khamsin in 1974.

Maserati Ghibli SS, Silverstone Classic,

The Tipo AM115/49 seen at Silverstone Classic in these photographs was built in 1971 and is fitted with Borrani wire wheels that were optional when the car was new.

Thanks for joining me on this “One Seventy Four” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I will be looking at a vintage French car fitted with a vintage American aero engine. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Hot & Dry – Maserati Ghibli

The Lybian term for the hot and dry wind known in Greek as Scirocco is Ghibli.

Maserati Ghibli, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

Maserati first used the Ghibli name for their 1967 AM115 2 + 2 grand tourer styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro while he was working for the Ghia styling house in 1966.

Maserati Ghibli, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

The Ghibli’s steel body was powered by a 310 hp 4 cam V8 which gave the car a rest to 60 mph acceleration time of 6.8 seconds and top speed of 155 mph.

Maserati Ghibli, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

To help cope with the prodigious fuel consumption the Ghibli is fitted with 2 50 litre / 11 imperial gallon / 13.2 US gallon fuel tanks.

Maserati Ghibli, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

With leather sports seats and standard alloy wheels, the rear seats consist of nothing more than a cushion without a back rest, the original 1966 prototype was only equipped as a strict two seater.

Thanks for joining me on this “Hot & Dry” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again far an aircraft powered veteran tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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