Dramatic Marcello Gandini design

1 of only 369 produced
Rare, muscular classic GT 2+2 Coupe with proper power, crisp shifting and entertaining handling
Recent full service / all systems
69K Km (43K Miles)

Remarkable find by our agents in Japan, this rarest of Maserati is in outstanding cosmetic condition and has just received a comprehensive full service of all systems. With only 43K original miles this genuine GT coupe is ready to deliver sensual excitement and extreme pride of ownership.

The Maserati Shamal is an rare sighting and one of the most exciting cars produced by Maserati in the modern age. A shamal is a potent desert wind that boils thru Arabia in summer, driving sandstorms and heat. This Shamal is a tight and exciting coupe driven by an exceptional 3.2 liter DOHC 4-valve, twin turbo V8 spinning up to 326 HP. Notable performance marks are 0-60 runs at 5.3 seconds and a top velocity near 170 mph.

The story behind the Shamal starts with the BiTurbo of the 1980’s, a model with a checkered reputation that almost finished off Maserati. Desperate to regain lost momentum, Alejandro de Tomaso, then head of Maserati, brought in design star Marcello Gandidni to refresh the platform’s styling, and tasked engineering to develop a state-of-the-art twin turbo V8. The result was a dramatic and original super coupe 2+2 with outstanding performance offered in Europe for around $100K. The Shamal did restore the company’s sporting reputation, but had little effect on salvaging the bottom line as only 369 examples were produced over the six year production run.

While closely based on the BiTurbo platform, Gandini achieved a remarkable success with the Shamal makeover. Dramatic flared fenders accented by the trademark Gandini cutout on the rear fenders give the Shamal a unique and purposeful stance. The crisp silhouette is accented by a structural targa bar and raised trunk line that add menace. The front end is accented with an interesting array of multiple lighting units featuring projector beam headlamps which provide excellent nighttime visibility. It is an attention getter that leaves little misunderstanding regarding its purpose. It looks mean and fast, period.

The interior is well appointed with plush Recaro seats, a tannery’s worth of leather and luxury trimings. The driving position is close coupled and arms out in the best Italian tradition. There is a small rear seat and a reasonable generous boot to provide ample real world usability.

The engineering is quite state-of-the-art for the late 1980s. The all alloy V8 features DOHC 4-valve heads, twin turbos and a sophisticated electronic fuel injection and ignition system. This very sweet motivator delivers excellent performance across the full RPM range, with a solid low end that builds progressively to a very strong climax. The Getrag 6-speed manual gearbox is an enthusiast’s delight crisply delivering the ample power to an effective Maserati “Ranger” limited slip differential to maximize traction. The suspension geometry had been specially engineered to keep all four tires in proper alignment and in contact with the road surface thru a sophisticated “Meccanica Attiva” linkage design. Electronically adjustable active dampers at all four corners are Koni units with 4 mode settings. Overall, the chassis is brilliant and delivers a very special driving experience.

Quite rare worldwide and virtually unknown in the US the Shamal is a true exotic. Stimulating performance is delivered in an attractive and comfortable GT coupe package. An excellent example in very good condition with freshly serviced mechanicals.