’90s Supercar: 1991 Maserati Shamal

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While Maserati’s reputation was stained in the U.S. by the lackluster quality of the infamous Biturbos, the company did go on to build other high-performance machines in other markets that we rarely see stateside. This 1991 Maserati Shamal is a limited production supercar of which less than 500 are estimated to have been made. This particular car isn’t in the U.S., but it’s close – it’s listed here on eBay in Ontario with an $82,000 Buy-It-Now.

The Shamal featured wildly flared fenders and an aggressive wheel and tire package, along with a suspension developed in partnership with Koni. The body of this Shamal has been repainted, which is a disappointment for such a relatively “new” car. Now that this example is 27 years old, it is eligible for importation, so perhaps that’s how such a rare beast is now up for sale given the relatively short trip over the border will save on transport costs.

The Shamal utilized Maserati’s familiar cocktail of displacement and turbocharging, pairing a 3.2L V8 to twin turbochargers and intercoolers, delivering a robust 321 b.h.p. and 320 lb.-ft. of torque. The Maserati also featured a limited-slip rear end with a manual transmission, capable of propelling the Shamal to 60 in 5.3 seconds. As seen here, it also came with deeply bolstered sport seats, but far less wood trim than was typical of Maseratis from the 80s.

The seller doesn’t tell us much about the history of the car (or whether this is the original duffel bag/luggage set, seen here). There has been some significant maintenance addressed, including new cat-back exhaust, rear shocks, wheels/tires, airboxes, pop-up valves and carpeting in the cabin in the trunk. Those last two tweaks worry me: why did a modern car like the Shamal already need carpets, in addition to paint? Is this a perfectionist owner or an exotic oddball with a past?

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Comments

  1. Scott Tait

    Man the front of that is UG-LEE , also whats with the rear arches looks ok if you tilt your head lol

    Like 3
    • dgrass

      Those wheel arches are a design element that has been around for 40 + years. Used on several cars since their inception.

      Like 1
    • SubGothius

      The slashed rear wheelarch is a signature motif of designer Marcello Gandini, as most famously seen on the Lamborghini Countach, among many of his other designs.

      Like 0
  2. mark

    Wondering if I am the only one that is glad these were not imported to the U.S. ?

    Like 9
  3. Al_Bundy John m leyshonMember

    They were trying to get out of bed with Chrysler. They woke up, looked at each other and said ” insert line here”

    The opal window in the Maserati Le’ Baron, along with the “Landau” vinyl roof , nose and lines speaks of bastard children in a bad relationship.

    Like 2
    • Steve

      I was actually driving next to one of those Chryserati’s the other day. The exhaust note was very cool in my opinion. I not my cup of tea but it’s refreshing to see a car on the street that doesn’t look like a bar of soap.

      Like 2
      • Fiete T.

        My daughter drives a ’91 TC she also calls “The Chryslerati.” Low mileage original, triple black, and bought from elderly owner for cheap. Nice putt-around for a HS girl…

        Like 0
  4. John T

    The Shamal is basically an up-engined Biturbo sedan. $82K will get you a pretty decent mid-engined Maserati Merak. For me, it’s no contest….

    Like 3
    • Chinga-Trailer

      Yeah, either the seller’s been smokin’ loco weed, or at least hoping for a buyer with deep pockets who’s been doing the same. So many cars at a much better value for that amount of money!!

      Like 1
  5. healeydays

    At least the price has come down. It was for sale for $105,000 US last year.

    Like 2
  6. Al_Bundy John m leyshonMember

    Does look nice on the sides. The headlight “panels” look like a single aero unit would have been installed on each side(?) May not have been able to meet import standards (i.e NHTSB) and had to go ugg-lee (?)

    Like 1
  7. Danger Dan

    Nice Shame-all
    And I like everything
    The wheel arches are similar to my Qvale mangusta which is odd
    Willing to bet a slice of pizza it’s the same pen for both

    Like 0
  8. Kellerg

    Shamwow!

    Sorry, had to say it. 😀

    Like 1
  9. Matt

    Needs more lights.

    Like 0

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