1989 Maserati Karif

Highlights

• Lovely example in fine order

• Substantial history file

• One of only 221 made and 39 right-hand-drive

• 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds, 158mph top speed

• Twin-turbo V6

Overview

Everyone loves an oddball – or at least they do when it slips into the annals of motoring history and develops a cult following. 

And when it comes to oddities, the Maserati Karif certainly ticks a few boxes. For starters, they only made 221 of them, between 1988 and 1991. The quirky two-door coupé was based on the BiTurbo Quattroporte but was a coupé spinoff. Now, before you say “didn’t the Ghibli do that?” the answer to that is yes, it did. But not in quite such a berserk way. 

Before the Ghibli brought in some softer edges and a slightly plusher dynamic, the Karif was a coupé that looked like the byproduct of an experiment with an Oxford Mathematical Instruments kit – you know, the one in the silver tin that everyone carried their compass in at secondary school. A hotchpotch of contradictory angles and squared edges, it had no right to look as cool as it did – not in a conventional way, but in a “What on Earth is that?” kind of manner. It’s what the best oddball cars do, and it’s why the Karif is so agonisingly cool today. 

Add to that the bragging rights that come with such a rare and exclusive Italian classic, the panache of the Maserati brand and the fact that it had not just one, but TWO turbos, and you had a car that came in handy for break-time Top Trumps, after you’d put the mathematical instruments away.

That BiTurbo engine developed 285bhp – enough to propel this crazed Lego-brick of a car from 0-60mph in a smidgen under five seconds. By 1988 standards, that was indecently fast. In 1989, it was yapping at the heels of the Porsche 959. 

If that wasn’t enough, how about a cabin enshrouded in suede and leather, capped off by pale wood, that was breathtaking in a way that only a Maserati could ever be? This is the quirkiest of Eighties classics, but it works so well – a real talking point, an automotive oddity and a brand that has kudos coming out of all three of its forked prongs.  

This one is made even more devilish by the addition of a factory Zender body kit and Fondmetal alloys, plus a bespoke adjustable Leda coilover set-up, while the previous owner carefully collated 25 years of history – the file that comes with it is almost as astonishing as the car. 

Here, then, is a very rare opportunity to buy a truly lovely example of a bonkers Italian GT, or supercar, or sports coupé. No, we don’t really know what it is, either. But it’s seriously bloomin’ cool.  

History and documentation 

• Registered 23 June 1989

• V5C in the name of the vendor

• Current owner for five years

• MOT valid until 1 April 2026

• Letter from previous owner describing cars history and usage from 1993

• Invoice for £6,970 in January 2025 including full cambelt service and renewal of air conditioning panel, four new tyres and a new battery, among other items

• Large folder full of previous history, sales receipts, invoices and associated paperwork, much of it from well-respected specialist McGrath Maserati

• original Maserati wallet and manuals

• Two sets of keys

• Genuine 38k mileage

• Magazine articles featuring the car 

Interior

• Two-tone leather and Alcantara upholstery in very good condition, one tiny tear in driver’s seat squab

• Alcantara dashboard

• Fully working and recently serviced air conditioning

• Burr walnut

• Matching walnut steering wheel 

• Electric seats and windows, 

• High-end Kenwood sound system 

• Carpets and door cards in good order 

Exterior

• Gleaming factory black paintwork in excellent order, with only a few minor chips

• Fully Waxoyled since 1996 and regularly inspected – no previous MOT corrosion advisories

• Zender body kit and boot lip spoiler

• Factory option Fondmetal alloy wheels 

• Toyo Proxes tyres, newly fitted all-round in January 2025

Mechanical 

• 2.8-litre twin-turbocharged V6

• Five-speed manual transmission

• 285bhp

• 0-60mph in 4.8 secs

• Top speed 158mph

• Bespoke Leda coilover suspension fitted by previous owner, with Eibach springs – the set-up is adjustable for comfort cruising or fast road driving

• Upgraded brakes with Willwood calipers

• Full PD Gough stainless steel exhaust

• Engine was replaced by McGrath Maserati in 2003 at 24,798 miles following an oil pump failure

• Cambelt replaced in January 2025 at 35,839 miles along with a major service including spark plugs

Summary

 This is a fabulous piece of automotive exotica – one of just 39 RHD cars and of only five still known to exist. Among them, it’s most certainly one of the best – the condition is superb and it comes with a substantial maintenance record that goes a long way to explaining why. It’s a genuine example and an investor-quality car. Plus, you’re highly unlikely to see another one coming the other way.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Burford, Oxfordshire.