Ian H
Member
- Messages
- 167
Hi everyone,
Having always wanted a Maserati, I finally closed a deal a couple of months ago to sort the funding.
I have since become a complete nerd, spending hours pouring over the invaluable info on this forum (and a little on the other forum) - and so it is now time to say hello properly!
After seriously checking out 4 or 5 cars, and with good advice from ex forum members, Richard Grace and Mike at Maserati Shed, as of last week I am the very proud owner of a blue manual 3200 with just 29,000 on the clock with a shiny new clutch and rear exhaust boxes.
She is fantastic and I love the car ....
Having wielded spanners fairly extensively in the past, restoring an Austin Healey BN1 and a vintage bi plane, I have started gently to get to know her through sorting filters and plugs and generally poking around. A good friend, who is a car genius and runs a local indie, has now done the CAM belt, a new set of front cooling hoses and a very thorough inspection. With the exception of the a/c condensor and the torsion bar drops links she looks as good under the bonnet as above.
I have really appreciated the shared insights to help get me started and have a couple of immediate questions. I am conscious that on forums newbies ask a bunch of questions which have already been asked numerous times before, and could be tracked down with a bit of searching.
However I haven't yet managed to bottom out the following:
- How do I access the spreasheet with sources of alternative parts which I understand is on a dropbox account?
- Has anyone managed to restore small scuff marks which have removed the leather colouring on the blue/grey seats, either DIY or a good restoration shop down South? I guess the colour match is the biggest challenge.
- Has anyone sourced an aftermarket condensor for the air conditioner or should I just bite the bullet with Eurospares or Dick Lovett (~£330+VAT?)
- The control dials and ash tray lid have a soft touch coating which is peeling off- I could just scrape the remainder off but has anyone found a way to restore the original finish?
- Having read loads of posts, is there a consensus for the best low cost source of pads and discs for the front wheels for normal (fast) road use.
Does it mater if you use a different material front and back since I do not intend to change the rears (yet!)?
Sorry for all the questions but I guess that's the point of the forum.
Look forward to sharing experiences whilst managing the new addiction.
Ian
Having always wanted a Maserati, I finally closed a deal a couple of months ago to sort the funding.
I have since become a complete nerd, spending hours pouring over the invaluable info on this forum (and a little on the other forum) - and so it is now time to say hello properly!
After seriously checking out 4 or 5 cars, and with good advice from ex forum members, Richard Grace and Mike at Maserati Shed, as of last week I am the very proud owner of a blue manual 3200 with just 29,000 on the clock with a shiny new clutch and rear exhaust boxes.
She is fantastic and I love the car ....
Having wielded spanners fairly extensively in the past, restoring an Austin Healey BN1 and a vintage bi plane, I have started gently to get to know her through sorting filters and plugs and generally poking around. A good friend, who is a car genius and runs a local indie, has now done the CAM belt, a new set of front cooling hoses and a very thorough inspection. With the exception of the a/c condensor and the torsion bar drops links she looks as good under the bonnet as above.
I have really appreciated the shared insights to help get me started and have a couple of immediate questions. I am conscious that on forums newbies ask a bunch of questions which have already been asked numerous times before, and could be tracked down with a bit of searching.
However I haven't yet managed to bottom out the following:
- How do I access the spreasheet with sources of alternative parts which I understand is on a dropbox account?
- Has anyone managed to restore small scuff marks which have removed the leather colouring on the blue/grey seats, either DIY or a good restoration shop down South? I guess the colour match is the biggest challenge.
- Has anyone sourced an aftermarket condensor for the air conditioner or should I just bite the bullet with Eurospares or Dick Lovett (~£330+VAT?)
- The control dials and ash tray lid have a soft touch coating which is peeling off- I could just scrape the remainder off but has anyone found a way to restore the original finish?
- Having read loads of posts, is there a consensus for the best low cost source of pads and discs for the front wheels for normal (fast) road use.
Does it mater if you use a different material front and back since I do not intend to change the rears (yet!)?
Sorry for all the questions but I guess that's the point of the forum.
Look forward to sharing experiences whilst managing the new addiction.
Ian
Last edited: