Get a four-door they said.

"505 - morphine not found" (morphine500) 06/21/2016 at 12:11 • Filed to: Maserati Quattroporte

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It’ll be a nice, sedate family-hauler, and an elegant cruiser in one, they said. Oh yes.

Photo by me

Some observations about the Maserati Quattroporte 4900 (1982)

Even the spare-wheel hold is upholstered, in great quality too

It’s not especially wide, but it is low, which makes it look broad as a tank

The 4.9 DOHC 32 valve V8 has four double-barrel Webers, so it’s temperamental like the Italian supermodel it should be. But when it’s sorted, it’s a beauty of a motor, a real peach, that even the 3speed auto can’t hold back

The car came with LSD as standard. Why yes, because your luxury highway cruiser must have the traction to pull marvelous drifts. I insist.

This should not come as a surprise, but it is extremely comfortable. I couldn’t set up the seat exactly as i wanted but still got out refreshed - and the ride made laughing stock of the Mazda 6 I used to get to the garage.

Photo by me

I really like this car. At least if I don’t have to fuel it myself. But I’m on the fence regarding the styling. It is striking for sure, but maybe there are contemporary luxury sedans that stood the test of time better - especially the W126. That cost half as much as this, in V8 500SE form, when new...

My citroen won't start > 505 - morphine not found 06/21/2016 at 12:15

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The Quattroporte from the 80's is one of the most beautifully ugly cars ever.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > 505 - morphine not found 06/21/2016 at 12:17

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I have a dream of owning a shed full of these to build one good one out of. Same with the Biturbo.

Amoore100 > My citroen won't start 06/21/2016 at 12:18

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505 - morphine not found > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 06/21/2016 at 12:22

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Biturbos became much better once they replaced the carburetors with an injection system. I’ve driven a Shamal though, and the driving position is... lacking. This one’s great though.

505 - morphine not found > Amoore100 06/21/2016 at 12:23

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Yes, but the Maserati’s much-much better inside, than that insane Lagonda.

My bird IS the word > 505 - morphine not found 06/21/2016 at 12:24

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The three speed auto with mechanical kickdowns in my trans am is actually quite nice. I now understand why americans switched from manuals. The new automatics suck but these old ones arent bad. Don’t let an automatic keep you from the car you love.

My citroen won't start > Amoore100 06/21/2016 at 12:28

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That is also a great example

505 - morphine not found > My bird IS the word 06/21/2016 at 12:29

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Agree. Have now driven numerous 3speed ZFs, Fords and Borg-Warners and quite a few of them drove very well.

My citroen won't start > 505 - morphine not found 06/21/2016 at 12:30

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Are you going to buy that thing? If so, where are you going to park it? Remember to leave the doors unlocked and email me the location.

Jonathan Harper > 505 - morphine not found 06/21/2016 at 12:32

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Congrats! Bring it to NYC for a photoshoot :)

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > 505 - morphine not found 06/21/2016 at 12:35

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I really like the styling on that.

505 - morphine not found > Jonathan Harper 06/21/2016 at 12:37

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Would love to :-) though the car’s not mine, i’m just writing about it, and shot a few photos... Only one i’ve seen live though, must be close to extinction.

505 - morphine not found > My citroen won't start 06/21/2016 at 12:39

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Nope, sorry, not mine, and won’t be either. I know where it is now, but i will only say as much: it’s at the same garage, as Mátés’ Autobianchi :-)

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > My bird IS the word 06/21/2016 at 12:53

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The Turbo-Hydramatic is about as close to magic as an automatic can get. It will take all of the torque you can give it and always want to do another quarter mile.

Amoore100 > 505 - morphine not found 06/21/2016 at 13:44

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I always kind of liked the elegant insanity.

Honeybunchesofgoats > Amoore100 06/21/2016 at 14:14

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I’ve said this many times, but I’ll say it again: that interior color scheme is a thing of beauty and how I configure most of the Rolls, Bentleys, and Astons that I'll never be able to afford.

Amoore100 > Honeybunchesofgoats 06/21/2016 at 15:50

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Agreed. Nothing looks quite as good as tan leather, brown wood, and BRG.

505 - morphine not found > Amoore100 06/21/2016 at 16:51

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Insane and elegant in equal helpings - fair enough.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > 505 - morphine not found 06/21/2016 at 17:31

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You drove an 80s Quattroporte?!

I’m so damn jealous :)

Only thing to top this for me would be a Khamsin...

505 - morphine not found > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 06/21/2016 at 17:48

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Ayep. This is the one with the Jag-type rear suspension, inboard brakes and all :-)

Lovely car. If I’m honest, it would need a lot more work, because the garage only fixed the engine (and oh boy did they fix that). Tires: original, 34 years old. Bushings, by the sound of it, just the same. Brakes, they do work, but feel all spongy.... And the body and interior is all original, no rebuild done yet. Not much needed there though, nicely conservated car, this.