Maserati Kyalami 4.9 Automatic

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The Maserati Kyalami inherited its roots from the De Tomaso Longchamps, a handsome 2-door 4-seater coupe styled by Tom Tjaarda, chief designer at Ghia, that had been unveiled at the Turin show in 1972. 

The Longchamps was not be a raging success and when De Tomaso took a controlling interest in Maserati in 1975, the 2-door coupe was given a major overhaul and a change of badge.

Subtly re-styled by Frua, the Kyalami was longer, wider and lower than its predecessor, the overall effect being pleasingly restrained and elegantly brooding. Launched in 1977 it boasted four decent seats with proper headroom and, best of all, Maserati’s jewel-like 4.2-litre quad cam V8.

Developing 265bhp it was reliable, handled well and had considerable street presence despite its somewhat conventional looks. It came with all-round independent suspension, power steering and a limited slip differential as standard, with the option of five-speed ZF manual or three-speed automatic transmission,

By 1978 the capacity had increased to 4.9-litres and the power to 290bhp which gave it a top speed of 150mph and a 0-60 dash of 7.3 seconds. With acres of leather and suede inside the Kyalami was, and remains, a superb Grand Tourer in the truest sense.

Named after the famous South African race circuit (not all Maseratis are desert winds), only around 200 Kyalamis were made before production ceased in 1983, just 43 of these finding customers in this country as RHD versions.

This particular 4.9-litre automatic was first registered in June 1982 and has had just four owners to date, the founder of the Stondon Motor Museum acquiring it in 1992 where it has been on display ever since.

Finished in red with a black leather interior, it unfortunately has no history so the 26,732 miles on the clock cannot be warranted. Although it is said to start and run well, it has not been used on the road for several years and will doubtless benefit from some recommissioning before being put back into use.

With similar performance to its main competitor of the time, the Jaguar XJS V12, the Kyalami not only offers far more space but also has a rarity value that puts it in a different class. Best of all is the air of subdued menace that imbues any Maserati, conferring instant Bond villain status on anyone lucky enough to be seen behind the wheel.

With Maserati celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, interest in this charismatic brand has already shifted up a gear and can only go one way. Being offered here at no reserve, this brute in a well cut suit will fall in a fair fight to the bravest bid in the room – unless Blofeld gets there first… 

AMENDMENT: Please note that this car has sustained a dented front left corner since the catalogue photos were taken and a new photo has been added to the website showing the damage.