Description
For sale in our forthcoming auction during our sale Automobiles sur les Champs, on 22 October 2023:
French title
Chassis n° AM116 49 1910
Engine n° AM107/ 49* 1910*
- Sold new in France by Garage Thépenier
- One of the best GTs of that era
- Recently back in working order, matching numbers
- Rare version with the most powerful 4, 9L engine
This 4. 9L Maserati Indy was delivered on 15th May 1973 to Mr Bouabdallah by Garage Thepenier in Saint-Cloud, then registered at the end of the same month. As confirmed by the dynamic head of the classic department at Maserati, Fabio Collina, its original colours were Celeste Chiaro (light blue) with a Senape (mustard) interior. As a regular Thepenier customer, Mr Bouabdallah traded his Ghibli (of which he purchased 3 years earlier) in order to buy this Indy. Interestingly, he seemed to have grown fond of this car since two years later, he also part-exchanged his Khamsin with another 4. 9L Indy.
We have no record of a change in ownership until December 2012, when it was sold at auction. At that time, it still had its Senape interior however, it was mentioned in the catalogue that the car was then undergoing mechanical and cosmetic work; It appears to be when the interior was redone in red. A few months following its acquisition, the new owner entrusted the car to Mougins Auto Sport for a service as well as some work on the hydraulic system for a cost of over ?3, 500. Before the new owner carried out the change of registration, the car still had its original registration 9837 LG 69 as stated on the servicing invoice, which confirms a long ownership period before 2012.
In 2020, it was the last owner's daughter who reluctantly decided to part with the car. As it hasn't been driven for a few years, she entrusted the car to a mechanic friend who recently put it back on the road. The work includes an oil change within the engine, gearbox and axle; as well as the refurbishment of the clutch transmitter and receiver. The car is now running, it has its original engine (matching numbers) but will require some additional work to bring it fully up to date.
Elegant GT from the 1970s, powerful, comfortable and reliable, the Indy 4. 9L is probably one of the most interesting cars nowadays, also because it is still very accessible. As a genuine 2+2 equipped with power steering, it provides unlimited driving pleasure.
Photos © Loic Kernen
Estimation 45 000 - 65 000 ?
