Exterior differences AC, 4200, Spider, GS

[Danny]

We had a small gathering here last Sunday and we parked an Assetto Corsa, a 4200 classico, 4200 Spyder and a Gransport next to each other. (Hopefully next time we will include in the line-up a 3200GT, 4200 facelift, GS Spyder, MCV, Anniversary, etc....)

A couple of things were immediately visible:
AC lower than 4200
Spyder shorter than 4200
Differences in grilles
The basic design of these cars is still gorgeous (after 17-ish years). All 4 cars attracted a lot of attention from people passing by

 

[miket]

Nice little collection there!

 

[allandwf]

Great gathering, interesting to see how they have evolved.

 

[Contigo]

AC best looking of them all IMO

 

[highlander]

AC best looking of them all IMO

Even from the front..........

 

[alfatwo]

They all look fantastic in there own way.. but for me the old 3200 AC just looks so pure in design, some would say its not the best car there but It's the one I'd take home!

Love the front yellow plates.

Indecently, what are the prices like for these cars over there nowadays...

Thanks for the pics Danny


Dave

 

[allandwf]

Even from the front..........

The vents certainly give it a sense of purpose.

 

[urquattrogus]

Confirms my love of the AC look for me

 

[highlander]

My "totally unbiased view " is that the 32 is by far the best looking and best set of the four old girls, (I accept not the most reliable if a poor example) but will in time be the one to have. I don't think any of these will achieve Ferrari prices but the last true car with a real Maserati twin beating heart will be the Sebring of future gatherings........here endeth the lesson.

 

[alfatwo]

My "totally unbiased view " is that the 32 is by far the best looking and best set of the four old girls, (I accept not the most reliable if a poor example) but will in time be the one to have. I don't think any of these will achieve Ferrari prices but the last true car with a real Maserati twin beating heart will be the Sebring of future gatherings........here endeth the lesson.

Calm down Greg ... There all old cars nowadays anyway, some you like, some you don't. the 4200's are great but for me not as great as the earlier 3200's, simples!

Dave

 

[Contigo]

What's the silver car in the distance with the boot/bonnet up in the air. Looks De Tomaso Pantera'ish.

 

[zagatoes30]

What's the silver car in the distance with the boot/bonnet up in the air. Looks De Tomaso Pantera'ish.

Definitely a Pantera, a later GTS / GT5 maybe by the look of the rear arches and side skirts. I love the early versions without all the adornments just simple Italian lines with a no nonsense brute force and ignorance V8

 

[Contigo]

Definitely a Pantera, a later GTS / GT5 maybe by the look of the rear arches and side skirts. I love the early versions without all the adornments just simple Italian lines with a no nonsense brute force and ignorance V8

Yep it looks like a GTS to me too with the plastic halfords kit on it. Agree much prefer the Svelte mk1.

 

[Corranga]

Nice line up

Really surprised the spider is shorter but I guess it's missing 2 seats. That's something the Coupe does very well in my opinion actually, hide the back seats from the outside. Plenty of 2+2s with less space in the back look elongated, but the Maserati Coupe design doesn't at all

Pantera wise, I like the early, more pure cars, but for me, the halfway house version looks best - big rear wing and front diffuser, but not flared arches.
For me, it's the car Lamborghini should have made (much prettier than the Jalpa and even the Countach)
The GT5 flared arches are a great sign of 80s mentality and have a place, but are a little too Halfords for me.

 

[zagatoes30]

Spyder wheelbase is 220mm shorter than the Coupe which helps balance the overall shape IMO

 

[Contigo]

And also means poorer handling and slower steering ultimately

 

[Contigo]

Although Schumi doesn't seem to mind it

[video=youtube;RMHW_CmDXUE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMHW_CmDXUE[/video]

 

[zagatoes30]

And also means poorer handling and slower steering ultimately

Shorter wheelbase means quicker changes in direction which can make the back end feel twitchy, just watch a Lancia Stratos rally car, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. I find the Spyder pretty stable and only when you turn off the ASR does the back feel loose.

 

[Ewan]

Schumi was clearly "on message" and "on brand", but actually lying.

 

[RW3200]

AC for me too (totally biased opinion), although I'd love one of each!
They really are stunning cars still, truly classic design.
I still have the same feelings for mine now as when I bought it 4/5yrs ago.

R