MASERATI BITURBO (1983)
CHASSIS N. ZAM331B00XB106913
ENGINE: TWIN-TURBO V6
DISPLACEMENT: 1996 CM3
POWER: 180 CV A 7.500 G/M
BODY STYLE: COUPE’
To own a Maserati has always had a strong mechanical and historical significance: in fact, back in 1914 a gentleman from Bologna, Alfieri Maserati, established a workshop for the production of spark plugs and batteries, and for transforming the most valuable motorcars of the time: the Isotta Fraschini. For this reason, all Maserati cars bear the image of the Trident on the Statue of Neptune in Piazza Maggiore that expresses nobility and prestige and underlines the provenance from Bologna.
In 1937 the Orsi family from Modena purchased the company, launching a period of great sporting glory and, above all, the beginning of the small series production of road vehicles. After various vicissitudes, in 1968 the company was purchased by Citroën and in 1973, due to bad results, the company that had, in the past, got the adrenalin of the greatest drivers flowing, was placed in liquidation, to the dismay of the world of sport and finance.
In 1976 the Argentinian businessman, sportsman and adventurer Alejandro De Tomaso took over the Brand and entrusted the designer Michele Spera with initiating a recovery process for the timeless brand which was now based in Modena.
In 1982 the model of which we are proposing a beautiful example was released: designed by Pierangelo Andreani of Centro Stile Maserati, and inspired by Giugiaro’s Quattroporte. Due to energy and fiscal crises Maserati was forced to reduce the size and displacement whilst maintaining the leather and wood finishes and good performance.
At that time in Italy it was fiscally almost impossible to purchase a vehicle with a displacement of more than two litres: when the Biturbo came out it caused a sensation because, for the very first time, it was possible to buy a Maserati without arousing the interest of the Inland Revenue and the Finance Police, but even more shocking was the fact that it cost the same as an Alfetta 2000!
Technically, the Biturbo was characterized by the V six cylinder twin turbo longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel-drive, independent front suspensions and rear oscillating arms, plus 4 disc brakes that guaranteed efficient braking. At a time when BMW, SAAB and even Volvo had dared to market cars with a turbocharger, a larger than life character like De Tomaso must have thought: “We’ll put in two!”.
The vehicle proposed here comes from the very early period of production, it is in a good state of preservation and only needs a new enthusiastic owner to get it back on the road.
The vehicle is in excellent mechanical condition but, for safety reasons, we advise the purchaser to have it checked over and to replace the fluids, filters and perishable elements.