Typically (or at least occasionally) a highlight from the classifieds will feature a news hook, something that links an old car back to the current day. Not this time, though. When there’s a Maserati BiTurbo for sale, it has to be shared as widely as possible as fast as we can, regardless of what’s happening with Maserati in the here and now. Which is anyone’s guess, quite frankly.
While so many examples of Maserati’s E30 rival have now perished, this one is as good as it looks. The BiTurbo could hardly be more '80s if it tried, from its super-shiny wire wheels to its ruched leather. The clock would be the perfect accessory for a dubiously pinstriped suit; the gearknob looks like it lived a previous life as an office paperweight - it’s absolutely enormous. This couldn’t be anything but a BiTurbo, which is what makes it so intriguing nearly 40 years later.
Wherever you look, there doesn’t seem to be an imperfection to be found. And that isn’t a trick of the light, or your eyes, or Photoshop - it looks like a barely used Maserati because that’s what it is, having spent a long time in dry storage. Imported from Italy in 2019 and recently recommissioned, it’s still showing fewer than 8,000 miles. Or 12,305 kilometres, to be specific, because this is a 420Si BiTurbo, a derivative only sold in Europe and therefore left-hand drive. Exceptionally rare in period, with only around 500 made across two- and four-doors, the 420Si BiTurbo was powered by the twin-turbo 2.0-litre V6 (the clue’s in the name and all that) with 225hp. This one is especially interesting as a car with power steering (one of just 24, apparently), and the manual gearbox.
It’s a fascinating example of a cult classic Maserati. Those Borrani wire wheels are bespoke, for example, there are Maserati Racing Autosport accessories, and a signed Nardi steering wheel. We don’t know who by, but it seems like the original owner of this car was a special customer. There’s a letter from Maserati in the history, too.
It seems that the car went into storage before the 21st century, but the work completed in the UK over the past half a dozen years is comprehensive. The cambelt has been changed twice, the fluids replenished, the paint restored, wood repaired and steering rack refurbished. Such is the provenance and rarity, it doesn’t feel like the car that’s been picked up by a casual enthusiast. This is for folk who really love BiTurbos.
Is that you? This one’s now for sale at £35k, which must be top money for a BiTurbo. When one can be found. And in a world of £50k non-M3 E30s plus 190Es becoming more valuable by the week, maybe that’s not an extortionate price. Certainly the Maserati has rarity on its side. We mentioned the wheels, right?
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