You want this occasion: Maserati 430, ‘civilized powerhouse’
Autovisie is always looking for used cars for enthusiasts and therefore searches the listings on the sales site Gaspedal.nl. This time we found a Maserati 430.
The Maserati 430 was launched in 1987 and is the top of the range bi-turbo sedans. Although the Italian is a great classic, the cars are plagued by numerous problems. Both electronically and motor-wise they are absolutely not error-free.
Autovision test with the Maserati 430
Before the problems became apparent, Autovisie (1988) was driving the Maserati 430. “Not a gaudy Christmas tree with the spoilers sky high. The Maserati 430 is a stylish four-door sedan whose body has been known for almost five years. Here and there with slight retouching (rear lights, front spoiler), but classic in line and with the appeal of a separate brand.”
“At the Geneva Motor Show, the Maserati 430 was presented for the first time complete with a locking differential and an engine output of 184 kW or 250 hp at 5600 rpm. And with an enormous torque. In words, the six-cylinder (now with a bore of 94 mm and a crankshaft stroke extended to 67 mm) delivers 385 Nm at 3600 rpm.”
The used car has a top speed of 240 kilometers per hour
“The power of acceleration breaks out as early as 2000 rpm. The two water-cooled IHI turbochargers (Japanese) then start up and reach their maximum working pressure of 0.7 bar after about a thousand revolutions. The air compressed by this unit first passes through two intercoolers before being fed to the combustion chamber. There it is mixed with the fuel supplied by the Weber injection system and voilà, 250 horses. The performance of the Maserati 430 is very exclusive. It has a top speed of more than 240 kilometers per hour. The sprint to 100 kilometers per hour takes less than six seconds.”
Occasion with limited slip differential
“The final drive with differential is attached to the body with a separate suspension element. A modified Torsen locking system is located in this differential. Named and patented by Maserati “Ranger”. According to the company, it offers 100 percent locking (so full torque would potentially go to a rear wheel) and differs from the well-known Torsen differential in the way the satellite gears (in this case two sets of three pieces) are mounted. “
“The front legroom is limited, not every European will have enough space in the Maserati 430. The seats should recline a little further. There’s plenty of room in the back though. However, the seating area of the back seat is (deliberately?) kept quite short. The equipment is complete.”
“Adjusting the steering wheel is done with a chunky knob. This should tighten the steering column. That’s difficult, there are nicer systems. A beautiful piece of technology is bought for 129,000 guilders (1988), wrapped in an inconspicuous but very exclusive skin. The Maserati 430 is a sleek Italian six-cylinder car that we will not soon forget.”
The Maserati 430 as an occasion
Autovisie finds a Maserati 430 on the occasion. The editors drove exactly this car in 1988.
The event also dates back to 1988 and has covered 77,825 kilometers since then. The seller demands almost 19 grand for the car – and that includes Autovisie Magazine 1988.