Quattroporte III 4.9 - 1979 to 1986

The bestseller among classic Maserati GT cars, with 2,141 made in 14 years. Dubbed >the Italian Rolls-Royce< for its opulent interior trim. Styled by Italdesign, built at Innocenti in Milan. Launched in November 1976 as the >4porte< with 4.2-litre-V8 of 255 (later 246 hp) and 5-speed manual gearbox. From 1981 exclusively with 4.9-litre-V8 of 270/282 hp and optional 3-speed automatic.

Royale version from late 1986 with high-compression engine of 300 hp. Top speed from 215 to 230 kph (134 to 144 mph) despite a net weight of 2,080 kg. Chassis design shared with the Kyalami, DeTomaso Longchamp and Deauville. Rear suspensions mounted in a subframe. Electrics by Bosch of Germany. First owners include Italian president Sandro Pertini and the Vatican, tenor Luciano Pavarotti and publisher Malcolm Forbes as well as the Royal households of Maroc, Jordania and the Brunei.