1982 Maserati Khamsin

Finished in Rosso Rubino with a Fungo Connolly hide interior, ‘ABW 586X’ is a well-known 1982 Maserati Khamsin that even has its very own Facebook page (facebook.com/MaseratiKhamsin435).

Of perhaps more importance, it also has an impeccable MoT history, partly as a result of spending the majority of its life in the metal-friendly climate of southern Africa and partly thanks to dedicated curation.

And it is dedicated curation: a chap called Jack Verdchuur bought the car in 1992 with the intention of returning it to its former glory. He was the one who created the Facebook page we mentioned earlier, and by the time ill-health stalled the project, he had 1,100 followers. 

The seller imported it into the UK in 2018 and set about finishing the job, first spending £20,000 with Colin Clarke Engineering to restore the running gear followed by another £25,000 invested with McGrath Maserati between 2020-24 for much else. 

The result though is a clean-running Maserati Khamsin for whom the notion of an MoT advisory is abhorrent, which is not something we are able to write very often.

This is a matching numbers car and was the 9th to last of the production line.

We can’t help but think the Khamsin benefits from being finished in a somewhat non-traditional colour like Rosso Rubino. While some might think an Italian supercar should be finished in something more vibrant, we think the somewhat left field colour matches the Maserati’s equally unconventional engineering perfectly.

Speaking of Italian supercars, while the panel alignment isn’t ever going to cause sleepless nights in Ingolstadt, they’re pretty darned good for a car of this nationality from the late seventies and early eighties. The shutlines, in particular, are noteworthy for their consistency and there is a distinct absence of the sort of dents, dinks, and ripples that mar lesser examples.

The panel edges are clean and well defined too, and even details like the lamp lenses, minimal chrome, and badging are all equally good - and given where it has spent the majority of its life, the absence of the sort of rot and corrosion that can plaque the model is less of a surprise, even when you factor in the tiny mileage it’s covered since arriving here in 2018.

As for the wheels, while the 15-inch alloys do have some scuffs to their rims they’re also fitted with matching Michelin tyres and we never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres like this are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. 

As for flaws, if we’re nitpicking then the rubber windscreen seal isn’t to the same high standard as the rest of the car, there are some bubbles above the nearside headlamp, and the door mirror casings have some UV damage.

The Fungo Connolly hide cabin is every bit the thoroughbred Italian supercar you could hope for. Beautifully designed and stuffed full of interesting Easter eggs, it’s somewhat wayward ergonomics can be forgiven because it is such an utterly joyful place to be.

It’s in a very good condition, too. The front seats, for example, might have softened a little over the years but then haven’t we all? They’re still utterly fit for purpose too, and still look great. 

The rear seats have room for improvement but they’re still very usable and the leather extends to encompass the door cards, dashboard, transmission tunnel, and even the top of the steering column. A darker suede or Alcantara covers the top of the dashboard and does double-duty in that it looks terrific while simultaneously cutting down on glare from the sun, something that would have been an important factor in its previous life.

The same dark brown hue is picked up in the door cards, glovebox, instrument panel, and the surround for the (very good) pleated Fungo headlining. 

The Veglia instruments, with their illuminous green letter, are bilingual giving their information in Italian and English. There’s a full suite of ‘em too, with information being provided on oil pressure, coolant temperature, speed, engine revolutions, battery charge, oil temperature, and time.

The gearknob might be somewhat plain in its design but it gives access to a five-speed ZF gearbox complete with a dogleg first, so #swingsandroundabouts, eh?

The bright red carpet is in good shape, as is the brilliantly over-the-top adjustable passenger footrest/brace. 

As for any little wrinkles you might like to sort out, apart from the front seats we’ve mentioned the gaiter on the gear lever has seen better days, the trim on the rear quarter panels is marked, there’s a hole in the leather on the top of the central instrument panel, the nearside sunvisor is missing, and the boot floor would benefit from being tidied up.

The seller also mentions that the coolant temperature gauge read 15 degrees high, the rev counter is 300rpm too low, and the fuel level is still half full when the gauge reads a quarter. We aren’t sure many people would have noticed the first two on his list but the fact they a) bother him, and b) have been mentioned is reassuring.

The car arrives in the UK as a disassembled vehicle and required an expert to put it all back together. The seller chose Colin Clarke Engineering, an independent Lamborghini expert to carry out the drivetrain restoration, followed up by a long-time favourite of his, McGrath Maserati, to carry out another £25,000 worth over the next five years.

The invoices are online and it would be worth investing some time to go through them line-by-line to fully appreciate how much has been done but the headlines include a top-end engine rebuild, a restored hydraulic system, and a full new exhaust system.

The work resulted in a car that is “100% mechanically” and the seller has such faith in it he tells us he’d have no hesitation in jumping in it and wending his way to the South of France.

Given the clear run of MoT passes since he’s owned it, we’re convinced this isn’t hyperbole, especially as the video shows it starting, idling and revving nicely.

As for the engine bay, it’s in fine fettle with the inner wings still featuring their quilted covers, the iconic green LHM system easily accessible (not that you should need to access it often given it’s just been refurbished), and the clean Maserati V8 engine snuggled hard up against the bulkhead.

The horizontal spare wheel is visible beneath the radiator too, and whole things reeks of diligent maintenance rather than cosmetic detailing.

Headlines, top engine rebuild, new exhaust, hydraulics overhauled, also new brakes pads all round and calipers overhauled, new tyres, new clutch and wheel bearings replaced. 

NB: Speaking of the cosmetics, you may have noticed that there is a ‘recipe’ for paint in the history file that mentions Nissan. This is a professionally calibrated blend to match the existing paintwork and was used to touch up the rear valence following some localized repairs. The seller tells us that the paintwork is believed to be the factory original, bar the odd area like the one we’ve just mentioned.

The Khamsin’s MoT certificate was valid until the 10th of June 2024. Mind you, it’s had four MoTs since arriving here in 2018 and it passed every single one without triggering an advisories. The car is a historical vehicle and so is MOT and Tax exempt.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear bar the marker for being an imported car, and the history file contains hundreds of photos of its recent drivetrain restoration in addition to the usual historical photos and invoices.

The listing on Classic Cars in Rhodesia (classiccarsinrhodesia.co.za) details what is known of its history in Africa too, and the certificate from Maserati confirms its initial build specification and engine and chassis numbers.

As for the mileage, when you take into account its history, the recorded 66,000kms seems highly plausible.

With a huge amount spent on it in the past few years and utterly solid thanks to its previous life in a series of hot countries, this is a Khamsin about which you needn’t worry it’s going to dissolve around you.

And, with a guide price of between £85,000 and £105,000, we don’t think this one is expensive, either. 

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 10am-4pm, to arrange an appointment 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, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.