Highlights
- One of only 75 Kyalami models produced with the 4.2-litre V8 engine
- €30,000 mechanical and interior restoration in 2024
- Beautifully retrimmed chocolate brown leather interior to a high standard
- Maserati Classiche production papers and certificate of specification
- Carburettors, fuel tanks, water pump, brakes and driveshaft recently overhauled
- Polish technical inspection renewed February 2025 with no advisories
The Appeal
When Alessandro De Tomaso took over ailing Maserati, he needed a flagship. He turned to Pietro Frua and tasked him with reworking Tom Tjaarda’s Longchamps. The result was the Kyalami, named after a famous Maserati race win and one of the best grand tourers of the late 1970s.
Simple yet beautiful styling and, from 1978, with a larger 4.2L version of the AM107 V8, the Kyalami was a couture alternative to more common Astons and Bentleys and vanishingly expensive. Just 210 of all models were built, of which just 75 were 4.2L cars like this one.
This 1978 example is even rarer because it has the desirable ZF 5spd manual box, which was fitted to only a handful of cars. It is a USA car that is now based in Poland and correctly locally registered. It comes to market fresh from a €30,000 mechanical and interior restoration in 2024. Alongside retrimming the cabin in leather and suede in a beautiful chocolate shade, there is a long list of mechanical work. That included overhauling the carburettors, replacing the fuel tanks, fuel pump and lines, renewing the brakes, fitting a new water pump, new engine seals and overhauling the driveshaft.
The car has been repainted in black from its original silver. It presents well in photos, but the vendor tells us would benefit from repainting. That gives the buyer the option to restore it to its original shade.
The Polish technical inspection renewed in February 2025 with no advisories, which adds transparency and reassurance for buyers.
History and Paperwork
- First registered in 1978 in USA
- Now on Polish classic registration papers
- Valid roadworthiness inspection until February 2025 with no advisories
- Maserati Classiche production papers
- Certificate of specification signed by Maserati
- End of production line sheet included
- Multiple Maserati period brochures and handbook supplied
- Two keys provided
- Selection of historic documents including previous registration documents
- Documentation of the recent €30,000 restoration work
- Originally produced for the American market in silver with brown leather interior
The Condition
- Originally silver and now repainted in black
- The vendor notes that the current paintwork is not of the highest quality
- Bodywork appears straight and well kept in photos
- Factory 15in Campagnolo magnesium alloys with matching full size spare
- Some alloys show light kerbing but not unsightly
- Classic Vredestein tyres recently fitted
- Exterior chrome and brightwork in good order
- Spacious 2+2 four seat cabin with plenty of rear headroom
- Completely restored interior with new leather upholstery
- Cabin retrimmed in correct light chocolate brown to a high standard
- New suede dashboard covers fitted
- All dials refreshed and working correctly we are told
- Classic stereo fitted
- Air conditioning system recently overhauled and renewed
- Maserati-branded four spoke Momo wheel
The Longchamps is a good-looking Tjaarda design, but the Kyalami makeover by Frua is inspired. Refreshed in the 70s when the vogue was for crisp, angular, almost boxy coupe styling, it is a very attractive and handsome design that has stood the test of time exceptionally well.
Any Kyalami is a rare sight, but this one is particularly impressive. The black paintwork suits the car and accents the chromework, although the vendor states it is a non-original respray and the quality could be better. It certainly looks usable and could be lived with based on the photos.
Inside, however, things have been considerably refreshed. The light chocolate brown leather finish is factory correct but benefits from an extensive recent refresh and retrim. The work included retrimming the dashboard in suede and the seats in leather. The close up photos show that the work is of a high standard. The dials are refreshed too and the a/c system has also been overhauled.
The Mechanics
- 4.2-litre AM107 290bhp V8 engine
- Five-speed ZF manual gearbox
- The vendor reports the car is mechanically in very good order following recent overhaul
- We are told there were no advisories on the February 2025 Polish technical inspection
2024 overhaul included
- Rebuilt carburettors
- New fuel tanks, fuel pump and fuel lines
- Brakes overhauled
- Modernised air conditioning system
- New water pump
- New engine seal set
- Restored drive shaft
In 1978 the Kyalami got the larger version of the AM107 with capacity pushed out to 4.2L and power increased to 290bhp. Most cars were built with the automatic gearbox, but this car has the highly desirable 5spd manual that releases that V8’s potential and suits the car’s sporting pretensions.
The car is said to run very well with no issues. This is supported by the Polish technical inspection which was renewed in February 2025 with no advisories.
Likely this is due to the extensive mechanical overhaul that the car received in 2024 and which is detailed above. Here is a chance for the buyer to capitalise on all of that work.
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