Lot 130: Maserati Indy 4.7-Litre Coupe

Vendue neuve � Padoue (Italie), cette Indy � volant � gauche est dot�e du superbe V8 de 4,7 litres de la marque et de la bo�te manuelle � cinq rapports. Elle a �t� restaur�e il y a environ douze ans et repeinte dans son actuelle teinte argent m�tallis� avec sellerie refaite en cuir noir (la peinture d'origine etait un brun clair m�tallis� alors � la mode dans les ann�es 1970). Affichant actuellement au total 31 847 km au compteur, la voiture est d�crite par son propri�taire priv� qui la d�tient depuis longtemps comme tr�s performante. Elle est accompagn�e d'un dossier d'entretien r�cent (factures d'un total de 10 072 euros � partir de septembre 2007), de ses papiers d'immatriculation aux Pays-Bas et d'un APK (document d'homologation pour la route). �gale de la Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 contemporaine quant � la ligne et aux performances, la Maserati Indy demeure relativement sous cot�e. �l�gante, et tr�s utilisable, c'est une vraie Grande Routi�re d'un rapport qualit�-prix incomparable. 'We expected to find strong traces of a competition heritage in the first Maserati to be given a full Motor road test because the name of this Italian company is so closely bound up with the history of motor racing. Some traces of this sort are indeed part of the Indy 4.7 - notably its tremendous performance... To this can be added the note of restrained ferocity emitted by the exhaust pipes of the engine, an outstandingly smooth and quiet unit, yet a race-bred four-cam V8. There is a racing influence, too, in the taut neutrality of the responsive handling, as well as in the beauty of the body, which made the car a crowd-drawer wherever it stopped.'  Motor. Maserati followed up its stunning, Ghia-styled Ghibli two-seater with the equally elegant Indy 2+2, though the latter, announced in 1968 and noteworthy as the first unitary construction Maserati, was the work of Carrozzeria Vignale. The Indy first appeared publicly on Vignale's stand at the 1968 Turin Motor Show and was officially launched by Maserati at the Geneva Salon in 1969. Running gear was conventional, with independent front suspension, live rear axle and four-wheel disc brakes, while the power unit was - initially - the Modena firm's well-tried, 4.1-litre, four-cam V8, with 4.7- and 4.9-litre versions following. With 260bhp on tap, the top speed of Maserati's luxury four-seater was in the region of 240km/h, a figure the subsequent larger-engined versions improved upon. In 4.7-litre form the Indy's claimed maximum increased to 292bhp, which was good enough for a top speed within a whisker of 250km/h, with 0-160km/h achievable in under 18 seconds. The sleek Vignale coachwork was such that the Maserati Indy was able to carry four people in relative comfort without impairing its performance as a sports car. Autocar magazine's summary was one of almost unalloyed praise: 'Classic touring car with vee-8 engine and 160mph potential. Beautifully smooth power unit, silky gearbox and light, power assisted steering. Good brakes, balanced handling, comfortable ride, superb stability. High price but few disappointments.' Supplied new in Padua, Italy, this left-hand drive Indy has the desirable 4.7-litre engine and five-speed manual transmission. The car was restored approximately 12 years ago, at which time it was re-sprayed in the current silver metallic livery and re-upholstered in black hide (the original exterior finish was light brown metallic, a colour typical of the 1970s). Currently displaying a total of 31,847 kilometres on the odometer, the car is described by its long term private owner as a very good driver and comes with recent service history (there are invoices on file totalling �10,072 from September 2007 onwards), current Netherlands registration papers and APK (roadworthiness certificate). Equal of the contemporary Ferrari 365GT 2+2 in both looks and performance, the Maserati Indy remains relatively under appreciated. Elegant yet practical, it is a thoroughbred Grand Routier representing outstanding value for money.