1988 Maserati Biturbo Spyder | The Summer Serenade Auction | 18th July

• Recent mechanical overhaul costing over £15,000
• Restored and thoroughly overhauled
• Low mileage example

When Alejandro de Tomaso, of De Tomaso, acquired Maserati in 1976, he had ambitious plans for the marque. He wanted to combine the prestige of Maserati with a sportscar that would appeal to a wider audience than the earlier more highly priced models that had traditionally formed the Maserati range. The Maserati Biturbo features, as the name implies, a 2.0 litre V6 engine with two turbochargers and a luxurious interior. The car was designed by Pierangelo Andreani, an engineer from the De Tomaso team, and somewhat influenced by the design of the newer Quattroporte III, as can be observed on the front fascia. The Biturbo was initially a strong seller and brought Italian prestige to a wide audience, as well as competing (albeit unsuccessfully) in the British Touring Car Championship in the late 1980s, the European Touring Car Championship, and the 1987 World Touring Car Championship. The Spyder version was introduced at the Turin Motor Show in 1984, designed and built by world-class coachbuilder Zagato. Overall, 3,076 were built over a ten-year period, setting a production record for Maserati Spyders.

This 1988 example is specified in a subtle, yet timeless, colour combination of black paintwork over magnolia leather interior. The Zagato bodywork presents very well, as do the BBS alloy wheels, which have just been refurbished. In addition, the car was mechanically overhauled in 2022, an itemised inventory of the work is available on file, and the leather interior has been retrimmed within the last few months. Showing just five former keepers, this example is supplied with a comprehensive service history, as well as 12 months’ MoT, making it a tantalising proposition for scratching that 80s Italian droptop itch. Consigned by Charlie McCreery