∙Recent Clutch ∙Full Service History ∙Private Plate Included
The Background
The Maserati 4200 was built on the good work done by the 3200 before it, as can be seen by its familiar looks. This of course is no bad thing, as the 3200 was styled by Italdesign, overseen by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The 4200, the evolution of that model, was penned by the big man himself. As such, it is a stunning machine. The goal with the 4200 was to re-enter the American market. To do this, it needed a bigger engine than the 3200, and so a 4244cc F136 engine - developed by Maserati and Ferrari - was fitted.
The first car to be launched was this, the two-seater Spyder version, which came in 2001. In 2002 the Coupe was released. Both cars were welcomed in not only the U.S, but also in Europe. Keen to get our hands on a Maserati with more power, we snapped up the 4200 as soon as it landed in showrooms. It was beautiful, it was powerful and it was - and still is - magnificent to drive. A true ‘bucket list’ car.
Finished in Azzuro Argentina Blue with cream Avorio leather, this Maserati Spyder 4200 was first registered on the 1st of August 2003. It’s been with a number of owners since, generally being used as a weekend toy rather than a daily commuter, as is evidenced by the low mileage of 64k. It’s in excellent condition throughout, and is arguably finished in one of the best colour combinations for this model.
Furthermore, the car has been subject to a whole host of considerable works in recent years. The clutch has been replaced including new bearings as well as a skim of the flywheel. New fuel lines have been fitted, as have new bushes and suspension links. The brakes have been refurbished all round, and all four wheels have recently been refurbished, too. It’s been well cared for, is in excellent general condition, and it is ready to go having passed an MOT with no advisories in January.
Over the years, the owners of this Maserati have been sure to collect every bit of paperwork relating to the car. There are invoices for all works carried out, all the services, there is a service book which has been fully stamped and all the original books are present and correct. There are even old brochures and other marketing materials from when the car was new.
In the folder, there are invoices from Dick Lovett for the clutch, which was changed in 2018 at 62,896 miles. There is also a breakdown of all the suspension works, again from Dick Lovett. Other works seen in the file include the fitment of a new ram into the roof mechanism along with a system check and sign off. Basically, it’s clear to see from the included documentation that this car has been very well looked after indeed, and with little concern for cost.
The Avorio leather is in good order throughout the cabin, with no damage nor any excessive wear. The doors cards are in good condition too, with no damage or heavy marks. The same can be said of the lower half of the dash, which again is in matching leather. Easy to mark, this cabin is pleasingly free from any such issue.
The dash itself is free from any cracks or warping, and all the dials are bright, clear and function as they should. There are no warning lights to be observed when the car is running. The leather steering wheel is in good order, with only slight signs of wear.
The centre console and switches are all functional, though some switches do have the odd imperfection commensurate with the age of the vehicle. And being an Italian machine, the unfortunate traits of ‘sticky’ buttons is present where the coating has worn off - this is most obvious on the electric window switches. However, everything functions correctly, including the T-shaped gear selector. The screen for the infotainment is also in good order, and the climate control functions as it should and blows ice cold when required.
The roof is in good condition with no sagging, no rips and no build-up of dirt. The roof has been fitted with a new hydraulic ram, and as such, functions as it should, without any curious noises or other issues.
There is no denying that this is a fetching machine in that stunning hue of Azzuro Argentina blue metallic. A rare colour, it makes this car stand out from the rest, which is no small feat when you consider that any 4200 is a head tuner. This one is on another level though; it’s light and captivating with it. It’s a gentle hue that suits the car’s lines perfectly.
Of course, it’s an older car, so there are some imperfections to mention. There are some stone chips on the bonnet, for example. There is a small nick in the plastic of the bumper on the passenger side, and there is some surface rust on the lower rear wheel arches. Also, the door edges are chipped in places. These are all minor imperfections though, and they don’t detract from the overall appearance of the car.
The wheels have been refurbished, and they look great against the light silver of the brake calipers. The body of the car itself is arrow straight and shows no sign of any bumps or dings, and on the whole, it presents exceptionally well.
The glass is all in good condition with no chips or scratches, and the lights are in good condition too - though there is some slight fogging in the front marker lights. The badges are all in excellent condition, with no fading. The black plastics are good with no heavy fading or cracking.
As you would anticipate for a car with such low mileage and with such a rich, detailed service history, the mechanical health of this 4200 is nothing short of excellent. The snarling, Ferrari-derived engine barks into life with a sharp, angry shout. The exhausts are in excellent condition with no blowing, and they do a wonderful job of making a soulful engine sound even more on song.
Under the bonnet, the engine presents well - nothing is awry nor has anything been messed with. It gets up to temperature and stays there, with the fans kicking in when they should. There are no rattles, whines or other noises from the engine to note.
The steering is pin sharp, with no complaint from the power assistance. The transmission, as you would expect from having a new clutch, is fast, snappy and direct. You have the option of leaving it in auto, or you can shift yourself via the paddles for that proper sports car experience.
On the road, the chassis is tight with no rattles, bangs or other noises. The car rides very well indeed, engaging the driver and giving you all you need to build confidence quickly. It’s a monster with 380bhp, make no mistake, but it’s not at all intimidating. Instead, it's a car you will fall in love with driving.
It’s a rare car in a rare specification with full history that’s ready to go. It’s got a bit of life to it, which is a good thing. These cars need to be driven, they need to be pushed and they need to be enjoyed, and this one has been. But not to the detriment of its condition. Instead, the previous owners have lavished care, attention and money on making sure this car’s every want is met. It’s a glorious thing that you’d buy for the noise alone. The fact you get an Italian sports car with it is a happy bonus!
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
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2003 Maserati Spyder 4200
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