This is probably the nicest Maserati Biturbo that I have ever seen. Inside and out, this whole car looks like it just rolled out of the factory. Did I mention that it doesn’t have an engine? Oh yeah, well, other than that minor tidbit, this is one nice car! The seller has it posted here on craigslist just northeast of Allentown, Pennsylvania and they’re asking $4,650. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Russ G for sending in this tip!
The Biturbo was made between 1981 and 1994 and at least initially, they were meant to be an affordable exotic from an otherwise exclusive and expensive brand name. Almost always since the history of car manufacturing, once a luxury auto brand dips its toes into the “affordable” car market, things go off the rails.
Maserati has made some interesting business decisions over the decades. One that sticks in my mind is the partnership with Chrysler and the Chrysler TC by Maserati, a car that may be welcome at Maserati events now for the oddball factor but maybe not a car that would be taken seriously. I have a feeling that the Biturbo is in the same category, sadly. These cars are notoriously troublesome but finding a later car, post-1987 fuel-injected cars, helps a lot in the reliability aspect.
It’s impossible to argue with their interiors, though, or at least with the initial quality of materials. Over the decades, things can start showing their age as they do with humans and almost everything else. I don’t see many flaws inside this car, the seats would make Puff Daddy openly weep for their puffiness and beauty. The seller says that the backseat Alcantara needs some work and the suede headliner is starting to sag a bit. It looks original right down to the factory Maserati stereo. You can see that there is some work to be done with the power window switches, but what could be easier than working on the electrical system in an Italian car?
This could be a great coffee table base, but it’s the engine that should be under the hood. It’s Maserati’s 2.0-liter twin-turbo V6 which would have had 180 horsepower. The seller is including some fancy replacement parts and I’m sure that a good percentage of Barn Finds readers could have this one on the road again in no time. Now for the unpleasant task of values. Hagerty is at $3,200 for a #3 good condition car and $5,600 for a #2 excellent car. The seller has this one priced between those two values and the engine is out. What is this car worth in its present condition?
Ummmm I hate to admit this, but I am thinking Bi turbo LS and a coffee table.
I was thinking modern Maserati V8 or even a modified TDI. Lighter weight might be more fun.
I rebuilt a later injected engine a long time ago. I can safely say rebuilding one is not for the average tech. There is a whole lot more needed to put this together. Let’s hope it’s all on the shelving in the picture. If everything was there I would be inclined to put it back together. Too bad the car isn’t worth much. Definitely would consider upgrading to water cooled turbos and I wonder if you can use a Holley Sniper in a blow through application?
What an interior…actually is real leather. As opposed to some of the faux looking leather we get in American heaps.
Too bad the engine remains to be a project.
Run , dont walk ! The Bi -Turbo engine is notorious for being a POS , and is rarely rebuildable , despite the availability of parts. The blocks are known to warp … I had the misfortune to attempt a rebuild once , and the jugs fell out of the block on the stand when I rotated the block to remove the pan .
A big NO!!!
All the engines need work, a piece of over priced junk when new, and a foolish mans purchase today. These make a Fiat look reliable in comparison, and that is saying something. The Italians sure have sank a long way in reliability versus their Roman forbearers.
Bi-Turbo that needs work, hmmm, never heard THAT before. Actually it’s pretty much redundant.
LS swap …. period
“Needs Engine Work” was printed on the window sticker.
My BIL who is a master mechanic has one sitting in his workshop in the too hard category.
Needs engine work now with this one, needs engine work later with a different one…either way, there will be engine work needed, and likely sooner rather than later.
Those saying LS swap are dead on. I always liked the interior of these, those seats are splendid looking. There’s nothing here that a few hundred reliable HP couldn’t fix, and fix well.
Honda k swap
Light, powerful , reliable and good on gas
The Maserati Biturbo is probably the only car that’s worth more with no engine.
A nice neat Lexus V8 with a Toyota manual gearbox would make this a very desirable car.
Well, knowing that engine problems are a feature of this model, the buyer who chooses to keep the originality will not be able to run much because with the mileage presented it was enough for a big problem to arise.
However, its conservation is well above average.
‘Needs engine work’…said nearly every Maserati ever.
Wheeler Dealers did a show about converting one to all electric. Looked and performed pretty good. Would sell easily in California
“Needs Engine Work”
Don’t they all!
Bring a fire extinguisher.
Electrify it
As the owner/seller of this particular car, it is amazing to me how may people are badmouthing something they have personally never owned. Yes, the engine is out and to be rebuilt, but there are great sources in the Maserati community to address any questions that will (not might) arise in the process.
Worst thing these cars had to face when new were the dreaded smog rules that forced to many compromises, and ultimately caused problems. My understanding is that once these band-aids for smog are eliminated, these cars can be strong and reliable.
Just because my priorities changed, doesn’t mean this can’t be a fun and rewarding project for someone willing to do their homework. And that interior! It is one of the things that attracted me in the first place.
Could be a fun companion to my ‘85 E28. Put in a modern Maserati engine, update the brakes, a modern fuel pump, and go.
Yesterday i saw one sell by Mecum in Vegas, it went for $20k, this was posted 28 days ago.
I’d rather have a Volvo 780 Turbo, which looks almost exactly like this but, you know, runs reliably. Swap on some Maserati badges and no one will know the difference.
Bi-Turbo is Italian for leaks oil, coolant,and all other fluids.
I bought one of these back in 95 with engine disassembled. I put it all back together again and it ran good. Then the clutch froze up and while engaging shattered the aluminum plate on the firewall. I got another one and installed it then gave the car away. It was a project to keep me out of trouble during a difficult time. It was an interesting thing to do, valves are adjusted using little caps that must be filed for valve clearance. Gasket set alone was over $500.00 in 1995. When finished it was fairly fast and cornered quite well. I was excited when I bought it but more excited the day I donated it. Great tax write off.
God Bless America
Nothing that could not be fixed on this one. Or use the old engine
for spares and use a same but from a later production year.
Some want believe it but its a major difference to have been trained
how to repair a combustion engine or just to replace parts.
These were garbage cars, right off the dealers lot. But, there’s nothing a good Ford Coyote can’t fix.
I have an ’85– the intercooled “E” model with the 2.5liter motor. Very interesting cars and super rewarding to drive…. when you actually get to drive it. Reliability is truly a challenge with these cars, but the performance is real and the turbo goodness is difficult to replicate. The whole vibe of this car is just incredible. Viewed from that lens, the ask is very cheap. Viewed from the lens of “car” or “investment” or “transportation” there are far far better ways to spend money.
A guy I met at Concoruse Italiano at Pebble Beach a few years back drove his Biturbo Spyder up from San Diego to Monterey (about an 800 mile round trip) with no problems. -Did I mention he was a Maserati mechanic? He said once sorted they are fantastic cars.