Maserati as Daily Driver.

[Faded501s]

My apologies for being so critical but veiling the statement "I have so much money that I can afford to pay for the parts and hire a mechanic to keep an antique exotic running as my daily driver" as a question like this seems egotistic, if not patronizing. Practical? Yes, yes. Fine choice. If you decide against it maybe try the Corolla.

Originally Posted by Nantucket Red

I dream of getting a new Quattroprte for a daily driver, but the expense of this proposition in Tokyo is prohibitive.

Tokyo? S K Y L I N E.

Grass always looks greener I guess.

 

[Blenheimer]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

Given your name, are you a fan of fine Bristol Motorcars?

This looks like a nice alternative to the Maserati:

http://www.racecar.co.uk/andrewblow/...l&VehicleID=78


I am indeed. This 405 looks remarkably similar to the one owned and popularized by Paul Smith on his range of accessories.


Now for a subtle blend of Bristishness and Italian panache, let me suggest the Bristol 407 Zagato.

 

[caelte]

Originally Posted by Nantucket Red

Behold this beauty:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Maser...15393666QQrdZ1

I'd choose my colors and send it straight to the restorer.


I can't help but imagine the history of that Maser.

Someone could take that car, restore it gradually and develop a movie around it--"The Yellow Rolls Royce"-- by going backwards in time, until it was completely fresh and new.

 

[Christofuh]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

Do you feel a Maserati 3500GT would make a practical daily driver?


Do you have the faintest idea what it takes in terms of funds, time and effort to keep up a 40-plus year old Italian car ? Also, have you ever dealt with Italian part suppliers ?

 

[Tomasso]

Over the years I've had several old cars but never as a daily driver. Generally speaking, they aren't very dependable and when they crap out they usually require a lenghty downtime.

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by Christofuh

Do you have the faintest idea what it takes in terms of funds, time and effort to keep up a 40-plus year old Italian car ? Also, have you ever dealt with Italian part suppliers ?

Yes, I do actually.

They're like more expensive English cars.

 

[caelte]

The Maserati mentioned in the thread has a rusty frame and pan.
It would make a good donor car, or put the body on a new frame and drive train.

For a daily driver any old Maser or Lancia with a decent frame and running gear can take a small V-6.

With alot less money than a restoration you can get a car with soul, power and dependability.

Check this out. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2212996

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by caelte

The Maserati mentioned in the tread has a rusty frame and pan. It would make a good donor car, or put the body on a new frame and drive train. For a daily driver any old Maser or Lancia with a decent frame and running gear can take a small V-6. With alot less money than a restoration you can get a car with soul, power and dependability. Check this out. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2212996
Alfa Romeo GTVs are fantastic cars although a V8 seems a bit bastardized. It seems to me that a good Bristol might be a compromise between arcane style and practicality, with a somewhat cheaper price to boot.

 

[Blenheimer]

105 Series GTV + V8, that's the basic equation for the Alfa Montreal.

The engine is not extraordinarily powerful by modern standards but the direct link with the Alfa 33 racing cars gives it a nice touch of pedigree.

 

[caelte]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

Alfa Romeo GTVs are fantastic cars although a V8 seems a bit bastardized.

It seems to me that a good Bristol might be a compromise between arcane style and practicality, with a somewhat cheaper price to boot.

Just an example.
I like the car but I would have left the body and interior left in their original state.

I owned an Alfa , they are wonderful except for the mechanicals.
Everything else is great.

The Bristol is the height of understated English design, with American power.
The 411 is my favorite

 

[Huntsman]

Originally Posted by Blenheimer

105 Series GTV + V8, that's the basic equation for the Alfa Montreal.

The engine is not extraordinarily powerful by modern standards but the direct link with the Alfa 33 racing cars gives it a nice touch of pedigree.






That's pretty badass.

 

[Nantucket Red]

Originally Posted by Faded501s

My apologies for being so critical but veiling the statement "I have so much money that I can afford to pay for the parts and hire a mechanic to keep an antique exotic running as my daily driver" as a question like this seems egotistic, if not patronizing. Practical? Yes, yes. Fine choice. If you decide against it maybe try the Corolla.

Tokyo? S K Y L I N E.

Grass always looks greener I guess.

You're a snot in reverse.

 

[LabelKing]

The Alfa Montreal is sort of like a cheap supercar. However, the design is very nice.

 

[Nantucket Red]

Yesterday, there was an Italian fair in Roppongi Hills, which had an Alfa and Ducati promotion. I sat in all the cars and was most impressed with the Spider. I like the new designs more than I've liked most Alfa designs since the mid-70s.

 

[texas_jack]

The Montreal was an innovative design but in reality it is really ugly and totally dated.