1983 Maserati Quattroporte 3

This car is offered from outside of the European Union. It has been imported under temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to Dutch import tax on top of the winning bid price (9%).

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, as their proof of purchase.

This vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and the documented history available is limited to that displayed in our photography section.

We have not tried to start or drive the car, and cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’.

As CARS Europe BV is the guarantor of all customs duties and taxes for vehicles within Dutch customs bond, the car cannot be released to the buyer or transporter immediately after the sale. For all enquiries relating to Customs, please contact CARS Europe BV.

Purchases will only be released once cleared funds are received. All vehicles must be collected after the payment of funds. All storage charges must be paid in full prior to the vehicle’s collection or onward transportation.

Storage charges payment must be arranged with the storage company. Collection is strictly by appointment only.

Please send a booking email to the storage centre to ensure vehicle(s) are ready at time of collection. Photographic ID will be required at time of collection. If a third party is collecting for you, then written authorisation is required in advance from you and photographic ID of the third party is required at the time of collection. Collection either by buyer or third party is only possible for vehicles within customs bond if applicable import taxes paid are paid to import into country of bonded storage location.

As soon as The Market by Bonhams receives your payment, the accounts department will send a release note to the manager of the storage facility where your car(s) is stored.

CARS Europe BV will contact you just after the sale to confirm onward transport requirements. Direct contact at CARS for enquiries is as follows; Joanna Herlihy, +31 (0) 252 682 526, +44 7483 433912, joanna@carseurope.net.

STORAGE CHARGES

€30 + local VAT per motor car per day commencing from the sixth day following the auction end.

CUSTOMS CHARGES

€500 per motor car (plus applicable permanent import taxes from bond).

Built in 1983, this Quattroporte was bought for the vendor’s collection of static display cars in 2013.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, the car comes with no history or service records.

We haven’t tried to drive this car and can therefore only comment on its cosmetic condition. We think that while this 1983 LHD auto Maserati Quattroporte III is in need of attention, particularly to the bodywork, its very low odometer reading could make the time and effort worthwhile.

Odometer: 7,957 km.

The condition of the bodywork and paint finish looks fairly reasonable – provided that you’re looking at the driver’s side of the car.

The passenger’s side, however, has various outbreaks of bubbling, corrosion and flaking along its flanks and is clearly in need of some restorative attention – and sooner rather than later.

Neither of the rear doors closes properly at present.

The handsome Campagnolo wheels are in decent condition, including the spare in the boot.

The chrome is fairly good in most places, including the main front grille and on the bumpers. The lights and badging are OK.

There is significant corrosion in the rear wheel arch, in both doors, around the wing mirror, and in the sills on the passenger side.

The driver’s door external handle is broken. The paint on the boot is tarnished and flat.

Much of the exterior rubber trim is cracked and perished, and there are some scratches on the windscreen.

The interior of the car is in rather better condition than its exterior counterpart.

The sumptuous brown leather upholstery is in good order, reflecting the car’s low odometer reading more than its age.

There are a few scuff marks at the rear of the passenger’s seat.

In the rear, something has been spilled on the backrest of the passenger-side seat.

The door cards are pretty reasonable too, as are the briar wood veneers on the door inserts and the centre console.

The lacquer has cracked and come away on parts of the veneer above the dashboard

The carpets and mats are serviceable, but dusty and in need of cleaning – as is the rest of the interior.

The headlining is stained and discoloured in places.

The carpeting at the back of the driver’s footwell is loose and hanging down.

The dashboard and instruments look to be in good condition, too, although there are a few scratches and scuffs on the black plastic at the top of the instrument binnacle.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t tried to start or drive the vehicle.

The boot is scruffy and much of the carpeting is stained or otherwise below average.

Everything in the engine bay is very dusty but appears to be in its right and proper place.

This car doesn’t come with any history or service records.

It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

Any paperwork shown in the gallery is a facsimile and in no way constitutes any kind of licensing or registration certification.

We think this is a rare, hand-built car that today finds itself in need of some care and attention.

Provided that the engine and mechanicals can be recommissioned and the structure of the vehicle is sound, then this pedigree vehicle from one of the world’s great marques could yet provide its next owner with years of classic motoring pleasure.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of €7,000 - €10,000.