Modern Classics magazine needs you – well, a Ghibli II Cup

[modernclassics]

Hello all – I'm Nathan*, acting managing editor of Modern Classics magazine. We're looking for a Maserati Ghibli II Cup to go up against a Porsche 968 ClubSport in a twin-test. We're planning on shooting this around June/July time, food will be provided, petrol will be refunded and the cars will be fully insured – though we're not doing any Top Gear-style silliness. If you're interested, or if you know someone who may be able to help, give us a shout either here or via nathan.chadwick@bauermedia.co.uk.

Thanks,
Nathan Chadwick
Acting Managing Editor, Modern Classics magazine

*I'm the chap who so utterly fell in love with the 3200 in issue 3...

 

[Ian3200]

Sorry can't help, but you were so right on the 3200!

 

[safrane]

Ewan will know of a contact.

 

[modernclassics]

Sorry can't help, but you were so right on the 3200!

In hindsight some of my drum and bass references may have been lost on some, but yes, I was smitten. To the point I'm eyeing 4200s lustily...

 

[outrun]

If Ewan can't help, I know of two in Scotland that I get get you in touch with. Wait for Ewan first.

 

[GeoffCapes]

Ewan will know of a contact.

Didn't Ewan sell his to his son-in-law?

 

[modernclassics]

The Porsche is in Surrey and is willing to travel. Perhaps not to Scotland though – is there anyone Midlands and further south?
Thanks, Nathan

 

[Ewan]

I have a list of the 20 surviving UK Cups and their owners. But it's in my office so this will have to wait until Monday. Trust that's okay.

Not surprisingly you'll find the Porsche more practical, reliable, better built, etc. But not as charismatic or rare as the Cup, and not as quick (being 80bhp down). The Cup is roughly twice the price now and seen more of an investment, while you can buy a CS and thrash it around a track all day.

All the time I had my last Cup I also had a 944 turbo SE, and not surprisingly the Porsche got a lot more use!

 

[Ewan]

I just remembered. The chap that bought my last Cup is now looking to sell, and it is advertised on the McGrath Maserati website. Get in touch with him (Duane Parkin is the owner) as he may want to see the car in a magazine as it may help it sell. Certainly worth a try.

 

[modernclassics]

Thank you Ewan and everyone else who has replied - I've made contact with Duane and everything is now in the hands of the (annoyingly lucky) journalist who's going to be writing this one.

I've had a look around for the (very kind, thank you) comments on Modern Classics re: Issue 3, but are there any observations - good or bad - that you'd like to make?

 

[Contigo]

 

[sofasurfer]

Good to see it's now monthly....Martin from Emblem told me he was on a photoshoot with a customers car for the mag and they said they were going monthly. I take it you are a subscriber...mine should be with me soon.

 

[Andyk]

Now that's an interesting review. Very different power delivery and both exciting. I would have a 968 CS and the Ghibli Cup in my dream garage.

 

[conaero]

Might get this subscription for xmas.

 

[zagatoes30]

968CS would be top of my very short Porker wish list

 

[Andyk]

It was a great car Andy. Very focused. Not driven one but a friend took me out in his and it did impress. His was rare in white with green decals and green wheels which doesn't sound good but poked stunning in the flesh. Most white had the red.

 

[GeoffCapes]

968CS would be top of my very short Porker wish list

Ditto. Was the first Porsche I ever drove.
What a car. The one I drove was yellow with yellow alloys. It looked the nuts. No frills inside, manual windows, no stereo, no aircon, bucket seats.

But went like a stink (for the time), handled beautifully.

You'd go round a fast bend faster and faster every time. And then when the rear started to give way it would drift round in such a manageable way even the 22 year old me thought I was a driving god!

They cost a fortune now though. If you can find one. Mosts were tracked and crashed.

 

[cheshiremaserati]

Those front-engine Porsche's have steadily risen in value to the point a good 968 CS requires a budget up to £40k. Enthusiasts are now seeking them given the ballistic prices of the rear-engine stuff such as 993 (air cooled) and 996/997 Turbo cars (water-cooled). Similar weight distribution setup with torque tube and gearbox slung over rear axle.

For some reason never, really caught on among the Porsche fraternity - me included. Never been a fan of front-engine Porsche's - and as for the so-called replacement for the 911 Carrera, the 928? Well that another story. Low values STILL and horrendous maintenance costs. How on earth Porsche could see that as a successor to the iconic 911 heaven only knows.

 

[zagatoes30]

Friend had a yellow CS some years back, stunning handling car

 

[cheshiremaserati]

Yes, on paper a lot of qualities that appeal. But low number of sales says it all. I know of a few guys who run a 996/997 and have a track slag 924 or 944 they picked up for under £10k and stripped it out and turned into a track slag.

For reasons I have yet to fathom out, I don't know why the older Maserati cars such as the 3200, 4200 Coupe and the Gransport don't follow the Porsche trajectory despite Porsche being a high volume car compared to Masers and of course the Maser's Italian pedigree. Its an enigma. Values of 996/997 Turbo's have 'softened' in the last few months (that's dealer euphemism for "prices have dropped and they don't sell for as much as they used to") but nonetheless prices for these Turbo cars are so much more than any of the models in the Maser range I've cited.