Lot 562: 1994 Maserati 430 4V Saloon

First introduced in 1987 as the ‘430’, the 150mph ‘430 4V’ was one of the final developments of the Maserati Biturbo. Maserati’s mainstream model throughout the 1980s and the first series-production road car to employ a twin turbo-charged engine, the Biturbo debuted in two-door form 1982. Intended to challenge BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the luxury sporting saloon market, the Biturbo was of conventional, front engine/rear drive layout and featured all-independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, and an interior boasting sumptuous leather upholstery and plentiful wood veneer trim. The all-steel unitary chassis/body was styled in-house and built by Innocenti, part of the De Tomaso empire like Maserati. ZF five-speed manual and three-speed automatic were the two transmission options initially, while a limited-slip differential came as standard. Produced initially with a 2.0-litre, three-valves-per-cylinder V6, the Biturbo gained 2.5-litre, 2.8-litre and four-valve engines as the model range expanded throughout the 1980s to include four-door saloon and spyder variants. Numerous cosmetic changes differentiated the 2.8-litre ‘430’ from the preceding ‘420/425’ models, while beneath the skin there was new front suspension and steering plus a further refinement of the Sensitork transmission in the form a Ranger differential. Introduced in 1991, the four-valves-per-cylinder ‘430 4V’ boasted vented disc brakes with floating calipers all round together with further refinements to the suspension.
This rare, right-hand drive ‘430 4V’ has the manual five-speed transmission and comes with substantial service history, including service booklet and expired MoT certificates from 15,000 miles to the present (54,000 miles). Finished in blue with cream leather interior, the car is equipped with a Thatcham Category 1 alarm/immobiliser and Alpine 6-CD changer stereo system. Presented in good/excellent condition, it is offered with current MoT/road fund licence and Swansea V5.