2003 Maserati 4200 Spyder Cambiocorsa

This honest example of the 4200 GT Spyder is, indeed, a Cambiocorsa iteration having been built for the 2003 model year. As such, it benefits from a 20% stiffer shell, a quicker steering rack and thicker anti-roll bars, all introduced for 2003. The car is a UK specified model having been originally supplied to its first keeper by Maranello Sales of Egham, Surrey in October 2003. 

Between then and July 2021 a further four owners followed. The car acquired its mileage in a pleasingly linear way with approximately 10,000 miles a year being covered until around 2012. From then until 2015 this dropped to around 5,000 miles per year. Since 2015 the car has covered only around 8,000 miles in total. 

The current owner acquired the Spyder in July 2021 to become the sixth keeper. At this stage the Maserati had covered a shade over 95,000 miles with around a further 2,000 or so added since.

Externally the 4200 GT appeared little changed from its illustrious predecessor as originally styled by Ital Design boss Giorgetto Giugiaro. In actuality, the master was re-engaged to make a few well-chosen tweaks for the later car. The most obvious of these was the replacement of the 3200 GT’s “boomerang” rear light arrangement in favour of something more conventional…….and US-friendly.

The Blue Mediterraneo Pearl paintwork of this example is, surely, one of the preeminent colours for the 4200 GT. It works so well across the muscular curved haunches of the car lending it a bright and breezy looking persona so appropriate to a convertible sports coupe. The paintwork seems to retain plenty of its original metal flake content, giving it that obviously metallic finish. Whilst good overall, in some places the car’s mileage is reflected in the paintwork. The nose, for example, exhibits numerous stone ships together with some cracking around the edges of the side light and radiator grill apertures. 

Our example sports a contrasting blue fabric hood with the new for 2003 glass rear window. The condition looks reasonable but there are some scuffs and minor nicks noted. It is also reported that the electric deployment of the hood is currently out of action but that a manual over-ride is still possible. Cabin glass looks good although the headlamp cowlings have become a little opaque. The convertible sits on a staggered set of original 15-spoke Maserati alloys produced by BBS. These exhibit some scuffing and chipping in places. They are fitted with a mixed set of tyres in a 235/40 ZR18 configuration at the front and a 265/35 ZR18 size at the rear.

Much like the exterior, the interior of the 4200 GT had mildly evolved from the 3200 GT. The seats were new with integrated headrests and a new centre console layout featured revised switchgear and an infotainment screen. The generous standard equipment list included full leather upholstery, electric seats, a driver’s seat with memory function, automatic climate control, electric windows, electric mirrors and a CD player.

This example features plenty of Havana Brown leather with makes for an appealing combination with the blue exterior livery. Those high-backed seats are deeply bolstered, for additional support in the bends, and feature embossed Maserati Tridents to the headrests. 

The door cards and wrap-around dashboard are finished in a combination of matching leather with black accents. The centre console features a black finished section which houses the numerous switches and infotainment screen. The rubberised coating of some of these appears to have broken down and flaked off in places. The familiar elliptical, ivory faced analogue Maserati clock sits centrally between a pair of bulls-eye air vents.

The original, three-spoke black leather steering wheel looks to be in good shape and a large pair of gear-change paddles are also present. The instrumentation is housed in a hooded binnacle beyond this. Being the short wheelbase Spyder version, the rear bulkhead, and accompanying roll over bars, is situated directly behind the seats. This also houses some lockable storage for those hood-down stop overs. The overall condition of the cabin appears to be in good order given the car’s 21-year age.

The F136 engine fitted to the 4200 GT is just what you would expect from a unit jointly developed by Ferrari and Maserati. The tuneful V8 displaces 4244cc with the cylinder heads and crankcase formed from a mix of hardened aluminium and silicone.

Other equipment includes dual chain-driven overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing at the intake valves.  A revered engine that went on to power the Maserati Quattroporte, GranTurismo and GranCabrio, the Ferrari 430, 458 and California and the Alfa Romeo 8C. From the factory outputs of 385bhp at 7000rpm and 333lb-ft at 4500rpm were quoted.

This example is fitted with the six-speed automated manual transmission. It offers a choice of four different drive modes (Normal, Sport, Automatic and Low Grip) which are selected via buttons on the centre console. This feeds all that power and twist to the rear wheels and works in conjunction with a ZF self-locking limited-slip differential. There is also a switchable ASR electronic traction control system integrated with the suspension and transmission.

Given its heritage, it is unsurprising that the F136 engine is a handsome lump. Its sculpted intake manifold is suggestive of a body builder’s abdominals and both red and taupe coloured crackle finish enamel dresses the metal surfaces. Some of this has flaked off around the Trident emblem on the intake, however.

The Maserati is reported to be in a good mechanical condition with no specific issues reported. The airbag light does intermittently come on however. It has been recently serviced, benefits from a long MoT and the air-conditioning is said to be “ice-cold.” In short, all you need to immediately enjoy the summer behind the wheel of an Italian thoroughbred convertible coupe.

This Maserati comes with a generous paperwork archive with over 60 images featuring in our documentation photographic package. The current V5 registration document is present, and the current MoT is valid until May 2025.

In addition, the original book pack is present together with the service booklet. This details the original supply and PDI information as well and documenting six service stamps. Most of the remainder of the archive consists of many invoices from all periods of the car’s history. The most recent of these dates from the end of May this year. This shows that a full oil change was undertaken, together with new brake disks and pads all round. The air conditioning was also re-gassed, and a minor oil leak attended to.

The Maserati 4200 GT picked up where its predecessor had left off by helping to power a resurgence of this iconic Italian marque. Now with the option of the charismatic Spyder added to the range, the 4200 GT was a great success with over 13,000 across all variants being sold worldwide.

This example is likely to offer a very high value ownership proposition with a V8 Ferrari engined sports convertible being attainable on a decidedly second-hand family saloon budget. Inevitably, given its age and mileage, there are improvements that could be easily made. However, this Spyder has clearly been fastidiously maintained and is certain to have plenty more joy and enjoyment to give. 

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £10,000 - £15,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at with the vendor. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.