Wrote this...

dickyb

Member
Messages
432
Its interesting to note that even Jeremy Clarkson was positive about the later Biturbos at one point, this old Top Gear clip shows him being very impressed with the then new 222 4v (from min 4:50):


In his usual style, he then did a complete U-turn and jumped on the Biturbo hating bandwagon a few years later.
I'm pretty sure that particular car is still around, reg number L308 RTP from memory
 
Last edited:

HaydnW

Junior Member
Messages
63
I recognised that reg straight away - as far as I'm aware L308 RTP is the only other RHD 222 4V in the country. It must be a minter as its MOT history is almost spotless (don't judge me, I was bored and nosey one day!)
 

Nayf

Member
Messages
2,734
Its interesting to note that even Jeremy Clarkson was positive about the later Biturbos at one point, this old Top Gear clip shows him being very impressed with the then new 222 4v (from min 4:50):


In his usual style, he then did a complete U-turn and jumped on the Biturbo hating bandwagon a few years later.
I'm pretty sure that particular car is still around, reg number L308 RTP from memory
He flipped back with The Grand Tour. The episode’s still not worth watching, mind
 

dickyb

Member
Messages
432
I recognised that reg straight away - as far as I'm aware L308 RTP is the only other RHD 222 4V in the country. It must be a minter as its MOT history is almost spotless (don't judge me, I was bored and nosey one day!)
yes its the only other one I am aware of other than yours. It was owned from new by the same guy until fairly recently, I think it was for sale a couple of years ago for about £16k.

He flipped back with The Grand Tour. The episode’s still not worth watching, mind

Oh yes he did didn't he? I'd forgotten about that :)
 
Last edited:

dickyb

Member
Messages
432
Not sure if anyone saw this a few years ago?
A guy in Italy decided to try to sail a Biturbo from the North West coast of Italy to Venice. The car was apparently partially filled with polyurethane foam and fitted with an outboard motor and was sailed along the coast and along a number of rivers, I'm not sure if he ever made it but an interesting story :)

Perhaps it should be called the "Biturboat"?

55231


55232


55233
 

HaydnW

Junior Member
Messages
63
The Biturbo's time will come. Values are already on the rise as recognition for these cars steadily increases. I'd say that features on programs such as Top Gear and The Grand Tour will have helped a little too. However, I reckon there will always be people who turn their noses up at the Biturbo cars - including some other Maserati owners. But the fact remains that these cars arguably kept the company alive and they deserve recognition for this. Earlier cars had their problems but these are rectifiable, and later cars were better than most people realise.
 

GeoffCapes

Member
Messages
14,000
I like Bi-Turbo's. And 222's and the Racing Variants. I fact, the fact that they are not very popular make me like them more.

Still want a late, manual Ghibli II. Just need the cash and somewhere to put it.

Hopefully next year. Probably when the prices have gone stratospheric!
 

Nibby

Member
Messages
2,027
This Spyder had a J***Low number too. It was a Cat C car so perhaps why no interest when up for auction last year.
 

dickyb

Member
Messages
432
Horrible alloys. Are they OEM?
No, they're aftermarket wheels. The factory wheels for a car of that vintage would be like the ones in post number 20.
That car also has odd bumpers, the front is an early style front bumper and the rear is the later style deeper bumper as you would expect to see on a car of that age.
 

foibles

Member
Messages
511
In trying to do a little research on the Karif I notice 3 sites each stating different production volumes of RHD variants - from as low as 22, to as high as 39.

Does anyone have any reasonable insight as to correct volumes (and source for that info)? I'm keen to know what I can about RHD Karif - anyone with detail on colour (I presume all are manual) would be appreciated.

I am seriously running out of parking room for my impulse buys.....
 

Kincath

Member
Messages
358
In trying to do a little research on the Karif I notice 3 sites each stating different production volumes of RHD variants - from as low as 22, to as high as 39.

Does anyone have any reasonable insight as to correct volumes (and source for that info)? I'm keen to know what I can about RHD Karif - anyone with detail on colour (I presume all are manual) would be appreciated.

I am seriously running out of parking room for my impulse buys.....

It’s my understanding there were 29 RHD Karifs produced. According to Enricos page there are 7 remaining. I owned chassis number 021 which now resides in France.
 

94massa

New Member
Messages
18
Never seen that Clarkson clip before. I've owned lots of interesting cars, but the 222 4V is the one I have still got, and it followed me from Australia to the USA, so it must be love...........
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
Its interesting to note that even Jeremy Clarkson was positive about the later Biturbos at one point, this old Top Gear clip shows him being very impressed with the then new 222 4v (from min 4:50):


In his usual style, he then did a complete U-turn and jumped on the Biturbo hating bandwagon a few years later.
I'm pretty sure that particular car is still around, reg number L308 RTP from memory

Oh my....Forgot about this clip...This is what started my passion with Maserati...Watched this and so wanted the 222 4V....I watch this over and over again until the Betamax tape faded away.
 

ZAM400209

Member
Messages
585
there's some good footage in there.

I've never watched Top Gear, as I don't really have a wider interest in 'cars' unless they are Italian. But it looks like this was from the era of genuine motoring-journalism-entertainment, rather than the current era, which seems to be somewhat more for entertaining teenage boys..
Perhaps this is inaccurate- apologies if I have upset the sensibility of any die-hard fans out there.

Dicky- my Cup has a high-level third brake light. I bounced of Andy Heywood some years ago, and he said to his knowledge it was unique among Cups in that respect...