1970 Maserati Indy 4.2

Lot details
Registration No: EHJ223H
Chassis No: AM116*670

- 1 of just 440 examples made

- Imported from Italy by Melvyn Rutter (of Morgan fame) and UK registered in 1996

- Recent cosmetic and mechanical improvements and MOT'd till August 2017

Although not officially announced until the March 1969 Geneva Salon, the Maserati Indy had appeared in prototype guise on Carrozzeria Vignale's stand at the previous season's Turin Salon. Named in honour of the marque's two great Indianapolis 500 victories (1939, 1940) the newcomer was artfully styled; its crisp lines belying a four-seater interior. Notable as the first Maserati to employ unit construction, the fastback coupe was equipped with independent coil-and-wishbone front suspension, a well-located 'live' rear axle, front / rear anti-roll bars, four-wheel ventilated disc brakes and recirculating-ball steering. Initially powered by a 4136cc 'quad-cam' light alloy V8 allied to either five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission, the Indy boasted a 155mph top speed. Superseded by later 4.7 and 4.9 variants, just 440 4.2 litre examples were made.

Reportedly imported by Melvyn Rutter (of Morgan fame), chassis AM116*670 is understood to have benefited from a partial restoration and repaint before being UK road registered as 'EHJ 223H' on 24th July 1996. While more recent work is said to have included a top end engine overhaul, refurbished engine bay, refinished wheels and new tyres. Further treated to new seat belts front and rear last year plus attention to its air-conditioning system and petrol pumps, the Maserati sports a dealership sticker from Center Car SRL of Novi Ligure, Italy and currently displays an unwarranted 66,300km. Pleasingly retaining its original engine and MOT'd until August 2017, this handsome Maserati is variously described by the vendor as being in 'average' (V8, beige interior trim), 'good' (five-speed manual gearbox, electrics) or 'very good' (bodywork, paintwork) condition.

PLEASE NOTE: Since the catalogue went to press the vendor has informed us of the following: 'McGrath Maserati prepared the Indy for its most recent MOT test during August this year and identified two faults I thought I would flag with you - a leakdown test shows leakage on the 8th cylinder and a ticking noise and one of the two engine fans has a short circuit that causes intermittent fuse failure - we have isolated it so only one fan is connected at the moment'.