Highlights
- One of only 299 genuine factory 4900s
- Older restoration with recent recommissioning
- Late 2022 £8,000 overhaul by specialist
- Beautiful and factory standard condition
- One of the best of the 60s 2+2 GTs
The Appeal
We owe the arrival of Maserati’s beautiful Indy to something as ordinary as tarmac. In the 60s Europe’s high speed motorway network expanded rapidly, giving rise to a new breed of high speed expresses.
The Indy was and is one of the best. Its sleek Vignale styling was hugely influential and widely copied by humbler manufacturers. Expensive and reserved for the select few, just 1,102 were built, of which this 4900 was the rarest with only 299 leaving the Modena line to 1974. These improved cars got Maserati’s heavily revised 4.9litre 90 degree V8 developing 315bhp through a sporting five speed box.
Chassis records confirm that this 1973 Indy is a genuine 116.49 prefix factory 4.9litre car, and likely one of the last built. It lived in Georgia, USA before being imported to the UK in late 2020 by the current keeper, who is a high end classic car collector.
The car was comprehensively restored prior to export - the condition inside and out attests to the quality of this work - and more recently has been extensively recommissioned by a marque specialist. This work cost close to £8,000 and the car has covered few miles since.
This is a very good example of a vanishingly rare 60s GT. That it is the best version of that car merely adds to the appeal.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in 1973
- First registered in the UK 1st November 2020
- Imported to the UK from Georgia, USA by the current keeper
- Vendor advises that the car was purchased in the USA in August 2020 rom a private collector
- Single keeper since arriving in the UK
- Reported to have been extensively restored prior to arriving in the UK
- Unfortunately the previous history prior to arriving in the UK has been lost
- 116.49 chassis prefix confirms this is a genuine 4900 factory Indy
- The final Indy chassis number is 2134 and this car is 2016
- Maserati only used even numbering for the 4900 and the chassis numbers include all cars, making this a very late example
- Registered in the UK as a Historic Vehicle so MOT, tax and ULEZ exempt
- Factory parts book in good condition
- Reported to have always been garaged since arriving in the UK
- Recommissioned by seller with invoice for £7,660 in history file and shown in photos
- This work covered servicing, mechanicals and chassis repairs amongst other areas
- Last MOT expired 25th July 2023 with no advisories and 15,684 miles showing on test
- Now showing 15,917 miles
The Condition
- Classic sports car red paintwork in good condition following restoration
- Quality restoration is evident from the paint finish and panel fit
- Vendor advises small touched in area on offside wing
- Underside presents well with no structure advisories on last MOT
- Factory correct alloy wheels in good order
- Quality classic specification Pirelli tyres fitted and showing good tread
- Black leather interior in factory correct and unmodified condition
- We are told that the interior was retrimmed with new leather during restoration
- The vendor advises that the headlining and carpets have also been replaced
- Interior surfaces, trim and fittings in very good order reflecting restoration
- Fitted with a modern Sony stereo but otherwise appears as it left the factory
Vignale’s incredible lines are surely as impressive now as when this car left the line in 1973. They deliver a sleek fastback coupe layout that is devoid of any unnecessary detailing. This car’s sports car red suits the lines, adding drama and complemented by the classic black interior.
Inside and out this car is in very good order. That reflects the high end restoration prior to its arrival in the UK. Sparing subsequent use - plus a more recent £8,000 fettling - have certainly also contributed.
The Mechanics
- 4.930cc 90 degree V8 hand built engine developing 315bhp
- 5spd manual gearbox
- Clean and very tidy engine bay with well kept bonnet soundproofing
- Recommissioned in 2022 with £8,000 invoice that can be inspected in the photos
- No reported running or driving issues
- No mechanical or running gear advisories on last MOT
The Indy was a very Maserati type of 2+2 GT, one that was as comfortable and cossetting as it was sporting. The firm addressed early criticism of the performance with the 4.7litre and then, from 1972, the 4900 which received the firm’s revised 4.9litre Tipo AM107/49 V8 that pushed performance well over the 300bhp line.
These final cars are therefore arguably the most desirable of a breed that is as much sports car as it is GT. With just 299 built, they rarely come to market. This one was extensively restored across the mechanicals prior to arriving in the UK and has been barely used since. That much is obvious from the MOT history and the condition of the engine bay.
The car was extensively mechanically recommissioned in 2022 by a well regarded specialist. This work cost close to £8,000 and is detailed in the photographs. The car comes to market with no reported running or driving issues. Although the car is registered as a Historic Vehicle, the useful recent MOT is similarly advisory-free.
BEFORE YOU BUY
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