Named for Maserati’s victories at Indianapolis 500 in 1939 and 1940, the Indy debuted in 1969. The Vignale body was designed to accommodate four passengers, taking aim at the grand touring market. Its sportier sibling, the Giugiaro-designed Ghibli, won the beauty contest, but the Indy attracted some 1100 buyers over its run through 1975. Here on eBay is a 1971 Maserati Indy 4.2 for sale, with an asking price of $56,000 or best offer. The car is located in Phoenix, Arizona, despite its California plates, but we note that it was originally delivered in Europe: the gauges are metric. The seller explains that the owner lives in North Hollywood and drove the car sparingly for over twenty years. It has maintenance and cosmetic needs, as we’ll see, but it does run and drive. Thanks to Jonny for this exotic tip!
The heart of the Indy is its 4.2-liter aluminum V8, mated to four Weber carburetors and backed with a five-speed ZF manual transmission. Producing about 260 hp, the engine was as sonorous as any Italian supercar, helping the Indy reach a top speed of 140 mph. Ventilated front and rear disc brakes are standard equipment. While we’re in the engine bay, look up – here’s the hood insulation, still hanging around, mostly. This car’s odometer reads 73,442 km (about 45,634 miles) which the seller notes is believed to be the original mileage. The inspection report indicates a well-running car that may need its fluids changed, at least whatever’s left after the requisite old-car leaks. Worth noting is that this is the “small block” Maser – in 1970 a 4.7-liter was also offered, while by 1972, buyers could opt for the 4.9-liter, same as in the Ghibli.
The interior is shabby, with cracking in the seat leather, a nearly disintegrated shift boot, worn pedals, and other indicia of mileage or poor storage. The radio works, but the sound is poor; the air conditioning does not work, nor do the wipers. These cars were known for electrical malfunctions.
Damage to the front bumper will need fixing if a buyer wants to improve the car. While in that vicinity, better replace the headlamp motors, as they do not work. The rubber trim has hardened to the point of cracking in places, the repaint is showing wear, a badge is missing, and the tires are sunburned and need replacing. None of these issues are major in the sense of impairing the car, but all will be expensive to fix. Meanwhile, the price is aspirational. Here’s a very tidy example complete with documentation that was bid to $51,000 and not sold; here is a near-perfect Indy advancing to auction at Amelia Island with an estimate of $65k to $85k. Even at the top of that estimate, a buyer would be better off with the Sotheby’s car than paying $56k for our subject car.
Another excellent example of your amazing knowledge and research, Michelle. This was always the bridesmaid when a Ghibli was on the showroom floor but these have a breathtaking beauty of their own-when they’re not torn up, beat to hell and give cause for a lack of confidence to safely drive. The tire condition (ie the right front low tire pressure), inoperable headlights, the ever present signs of parking by using the Braille method all point to neglect to say nothing of the remaining photos of its overall condition.
One of the sad things about people like this seller is something we’ve seen time and again as one of life’s biggest disappointments-people like this will be talking and yet you NEVER see their pants actually catch fire..😡
My mechanic once said, “If you ever get a Maserati, please don’t get an Indy. They’re terrible.” So, he’s not gonna be happy working on it, and the last thing you want is an unhappy mechanic!
My mechanic said that about the modern Mini Cooper, so I don’t have one.
Why? This makes no sense. I own an Indy and a Ghibli I and previously owned a khamsin. Mechanically they are all about the same. The Khamsin had Citroën hydraulics ( as well as a few late model Indys) and IRS but really about the same car.
Maserati’s from this era are really quite simple and if you can work on a 105 Alfa you can work on one of these.
If I had a mechanic that specified the Indy out of all the Maserati’s of this era I would question his competence and perhaps look for a new mechanic.
Thanks for the market research because I would not have a clue as to current market values. Looks like a true labor of love for this car if it can be bought for a reasonable number. Maserati made some special cars and still remain a relative bargain when compared to Ferrari and Lamborghini. However Maserati parts are more in line with Ferrari and Lamborghini money than Fiat prices.
The INDY is a true 4 seater coupe and if there are fewer of them around these days is many were driven into the ground. As for electrical problems I have felt with these on many Italian and French cars and it seems to be generally in the connectors of the circuits. This is especially true in Renaults. A cool light abrasive cleaning will often make things right again with little to no cost. The bumper is going to be a total pain in the ass to fix. I would expect it to be expensive as that is thicker metal than most and it will need to be pressed out and then re-chromed.
This car looks to be abused in so many ways. The interiors of these generally held up very well unless exposed to both high heat and dry conditions for an extended period as this one seems to be. The engines are surprisingly strong even if they are not that powerful. Remember this was to be an exotic family car.
This is a bigger car than generally shows in the photos and it stands much higher than the Ghibli with a wheel base not that much longer and because of this it seems narrower. None of these things are bad it is just the difference from photos to real life.
Maserati marketed in the day to bankers, investors, famous actors and in general were designed to be far more livable and restrained than Ferrari or Lamborghini’s This one can be saved but you will race thru 20 grand to do so if you wish to do it right. As just a driver much less. I believe that the owner has been chewing on to much of the good stuff that he would used to smoke given his asking price. I would say between 15, to 20 Grand too high. Should be saved though they are beautiful cars.
A “Light Restoration” 1971 Maserati Indy? There’s no such thing.
Not the best color for the interior.
I know they were never as popular as the sport coupes but I love me a 2+2 GT car, and Maserati always ticked the top box for me. Beautiful designs, capable and drivable V8’s or 6’s…at vintage car shows I’d walk past a half dozen Ferraris and Lamborghinis to get a good look at a Maserati
The seller would be the only person on earth who thinks this needs a “Light Restoration”.
The owner lives in Hollywood? Vacuum the carpets and you might retrieve some of that marching powder that he spilled over the years.
Michelle, you were right about the asking price for this example. Auction ended with no takers.