Highlights
- One of only 335 manual examples, of which only half are believed to survive
- Concours-level nut & bolt restoration with no expense spared
- Full certification from Maserati Classiche
- Five-speed manual transmission
- Impressive history file
- European specification example, delivered new to Germany
The Appeal
The very first collaboration between Maserati and Bertone. And perhaps one of the best. The Khamsin (named after a hot, uncontrollable desert wind - the Italians seemingly forgoing subtlety that day) was a sharp, angular, aggressive-looking motor. It turned out to wear its personality on its sleeve. This was a wedge of sheer speed and adrenaline, the sort of car that attracted only the boldest. Doubly so, considering the fuel crisis was looming.
With its fastback roof, kammback rear end, floating tail lights and those all-important pop-up headlights, you could have put anything into the car’s engine bay and it would have proved enticing. Thankfully, Maserati were no slouches here - a mid-placed 4.9L V8 engine was crammed into the back of the engine bay, giving ample space for a full-size spare tyre under the radiator. Which probably made for some pretty warm footwells.
This example is a stunner. One of what’s believed to be around 160 left in the world, it’s been completely restored to an impeccable standard, creating the impression that it’s only recently come off the production line. As with all Concourso cars, this example was dismantled to every single nut and bolt. Each component has been either restored where possible or replaced with genuine parts and re-assembled to exact factory specification. The final result is a totally rebuilt and revitalised car that will preserve its original specification for many more years to come, while hopefully increasing in value and being enjoyed as a genuine Show & Go automobile in the meantime.
If the winner of this auction is interested in attending, this car is expected to be a strong candidate to come first place at the Khamsin Cinquanta event in Geneva and France in June this year. 50 Khamsins from all over the world are expected to attend and one of the judges will be Fabio Collina of the Maserati Classische.
If the winner of this auction is interested in attending, this car is expected to be a strong candidate to come first place at the Khamsin Cinquanta event in Geneva and France in June this year. 50 Khamsins from all over the world are expected to attend and one of the judges will be Fabio Collina of the Maserati Classische.
The History and Paperwork
- Verified as production number 99
- First registered in Germany, 1976
- Exported to the USA sometime in the late 80s / 90s
- Returned to the EU in 2015, where it underwent restoration
- Professional restoration completed in March 2023
- This included bare metal respray in its original Celeste Chiaro
- The restoration has been extensively documented throughout
- An impressive paperwork file includes:
- Invoices the car’s life prior to restoration
- Photos of the car prior to restoration (some included in the gallery)
- Full Maserati certification
- Original instruction manual
- Registration documents from Germany and the USA
The Interior
- Beautifully restored interior, with original period materials
- Connolly black leather retrim to original specifications
- New linings and carpets throughout
Sitting in this beautiful cabin, you may well be expecting the BeeGees to be playing over the radio. The interior has been fully restored and refreshed to its original period condition, with new trims, upholstery and lining throughout.
Everything here has been done to the original factory templates, plans and specifications. The seats have been rebuilt and retrimmed into the original Connolly leather, resulting in near pristine seating with zero rips or tears, and no sign of scuffs or marks to the finish.
The Wilton wool carpets have been installed to original patterns, using the materials first installed by the factory - and the headlining has received the same treatment.
The dashboard, with its utterly stylish array of analogue instruments, has all been restored, cleaned and brightened up into a truly impressive array befitting of an aircraft. Tactile instruments, switches and options - combined with an angled seat - give the driver an exceptional feeling of authority.
All the gauges are to period spec, with a factory-accurate Blaupunkt radio installed on the centre console. To complete the cabin, a Masterati-branded steering wheel festoons the column, with only the lightest signs of wear.
The boot has been relined to an exceptional standard, using the original factory templates, and looks superb.
The Exterior
- Restored to its original Celeste Chiaro paint colour
- Completely new chromework
- Fully restored magnesium-alloy Campagnolo wheels
The aesthetics of the Khamsin are impossibly sharp and sleek - and perfectly on display here. With a full photographic record, this car’s exceptional bodywork has been fully repaired - including lead/tin filling, full re-alignment, fresh paintwork and more.
All of the chromework is newly installed, the rubber seals have been replaced, the lights restored and replaced, and the entire thing treated to full corrosion protection. That means active primers, PPG epoxy coats and a generous wax finish.
The result is that everything is looking utterly sublime. The gentle tint to the paintwork, across beautifully straight bodywork, is enough to take any 70s-orientated petrolhead’s breath away. Everything, as you’d expect, is utterly solid.
The all-important pop-up headlights, with freshly restored, polished lenses, lift perfectly. The grilles and bumpers are sublime. The generous Maserati branding is all present and correct. The windows are flawless, with no chips, fractures or wear on display.
The car is sitting on fully restored magnesium Campagnolo wheels - exactly as it should be - and is even shod with a fresh set of period Dimax Classic tyres. This really highlights the timewarp effect that the car exudes with such confidence.
As you’d expect, the underside has been fully rebuilt, restored and repainted - with a thorough anti-corrosion treatment ensuring that everything is in superb fettle.
The Mechanics
- Highly impressive 4.9L V8 engine
- ZF 5-speed manual transmission
- Fully rebuilt, restored and refreshed
- Mechanical work on the engine includes:
- Deep cleaning of the engine block
- Cylinder liners bored to next over-measure
- New pistons with rings
- All bearings and seals replaced
- New camshaft timing chains and tensioners
- New valves, seats, springs and guides
- Custom made cylinder head gaskets
- The transmission has been through:
- Complete disassembly and cleaning
- New bearings, seals, gaskets and washers
- Replacement of all worn parts and gears
- New clutch assembly and plate
- Clearance adjustment
- Full corrosion protection and repaint
- The cooling system has been treated to:
- Radiator and heater overhaul (with pressure checks)
- Overhauled water pump
- New thermostat, valves and piping
- Fuel system has been given:
- Completely overhauled Weber DCNL 42 carbs
- New pump, lines and filters
- Cleaned fuel tank with inner resin coating
- Work on the brakes includes:
- New pipes and fittings
- Callipers removed, cleaned, zinc-plated and painted
- New stainless steel calliper pistons with seals
- Restored master cylinder
- Freshly ground discs
- New brake pads including handbrake
- Hydraulics have had:
- New LHM pump
- LHM tank restoration and testing
- New piping
- Complete overhaul of steering
- Overhaul of accumulator spheres
- Suspension and steering:
- All parts disassembled, stripped, primed and recoated
- New poly bushes and liners
- New bearings and seals
- Replacement of joints and pins
- New adjustable shock absorbers
- New half-shaft joints
All of the above should be more than enough to speak to the car’s mechanical condition. But to cement the facts - this Khamsin has been through just about every bit of repair and remedial work we can think of, bringing it to utterly fabulous order.
Along with everything else, the hydraulic system has been completely restored and this car now drives like a modern car, better than almost all other cars of this period. Precise steering, sharp braking, you name it.
Along with everything else, the hydraulic system has been completely restored and this car now drives like a modern car, better than almost all other cars of this period. Precise steering, sharp braking, you name it.
The engine bay is like a piece of mechanical sculpture – polished up, beautifully kept and ready to hit the road. As you’d expect, it’s free of leaks or mechanical faults and has been thoroughly tested.
The moment you take a seat in the Khamsin and kick it into life, you may well lose yourself to a golden age of Italian motoring. There’s nothing quite like it - and we dare say very few examples are as good as this cossetted, thoroughly overhauled piece of automotive art.
Summary
Put simply, we’ve never seen a Khamsin in quite this level of care. These exceptionally rare cars are desirable in any condition, but this example exceeds even the most discerning standards. Simply not to be missed.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
