I've bought a Cup

[Nayf]

I've finally gone and done it, I've joined the ranks of Maserati owners.
I've bought a Maserati Ghibli Cup, a RHD 2.0 – one of 24 remaining. It's a project and is with McGrath and will be for some time, but it's good to finally actually own one, rather than just write about them and hang around here like a bad smell. I'll be writing about the process for Classic Cars magazine, though the first instalment won't be for a while yet.

 

[Wally]

Nice.... needs a little TLC. Unusual that grey upholstery.... Hope to see more pictures from the "under construction"=phase soon....

 

[Bebs]

Congratulations and best of luck with the restoration.

 

[Nayf]

Nice.... needs a little TLC. Unusual that grey upholstery.... Hope to see more pictures from the "under construction"=phase soon....

The major bits are a couple of ‘lazy’ cylinders and a somewhat porous rear subframe. There’s some paint that needs doing, and I’m sure there’ll be surprises along the way…

 

[Brendan]

Congratulations

 

[P5Nij]

Congratulations, what a great find. My Biturbo 430 is going down to McGrath's on 3rd July so will be in good company.

 

[Tallman]

Congrats, you must be feeling very pleased and probably a bit anxious - now you know how a real Maserati owner feels - it’s a fine balance

 

[CatmanV2]

Congrats, you must be feeling very pleased and probably a bit anxious - now you know how a real Maserati owner feels - it’s a fine balance

All that time you wait for the sound of money being required

C

 

[Nayf]

Congrats, you must be feeling very pleased and probably a bit anxious - now you know how a real Maserati owner feels - it’s a fine balance

Well, I've gone into it with my eyes wide open and with a significant war chest built up. I am expecting snags along the way but life is short and all that. Also I am not short, so I want to do this while I can still bend my 6ft5 frame into one without groaning – verbally, or via the sounds of my joints.
I'll be doing a few alterations – moving the seat rails back a bit, and a steering wheel boss. I'm probably going to replace the gear knob for the original option version, though I can't seem to find one via eBay. Quite like the wooden Momo item but that doesn't fit the carbon, and the carbon knobs look a bit Ripspeed (I'm not a huge fan of carbon interiors generally, to be fair).

 

[StuartW]

Nathan, congratulations buddy - that is great news! I know that you have hankered over one for years so it's excellent that you finally have one. There are so few left and I am sure that this one will be cherished and brought back up to excellent condition. It's in safe hands between you & Andy and his team, all will be fine.

And if you can fit into my Trofeo - even if the steering wheel wouldn't go back on - you will certainly fit into this!

Have fun and I look forward to following this thread, and seeing it out and about around Peterborough in no time at all!

 

[Tallman]

All that time you wait for the sound of money being required

C

It’s a bit like having a pretty, high maintenance (younger?) wife I guess..not that I would know

 

[Nayf]

It’s a bit like having a pretty, high maintenance (younger?) wife I guess..not that I would know

Well, I don’t have children but I’m missing the all-conquering, lying awake at night fear, so I thought restoring a 90s Maserati would be a good substitute

 

[Tallman]

Well, I've gone into it with my eyes wide open and with a significant war chest built up. I am expecting snags along the way but life is short and all that. Also I am not short, so I want to do this while I can still bend my 6ft5 frame into one without groaning – verbally, or via the sounds of my joints.
I'll be doing a few alterations – moving the seat rails back a bit, and a steering wheel boss. I'm probably going to replace the gear knob for the original option version, though I can't seem to find one via eBay. Quite like the wooden Momo item but that doesn't fit the carbon, and the carbon knobs look a bit Ripspeed (I'm not a huge fan of carbon interiors generally, to be fair).

I’m sure it will be very rewarding! I think a wooden Momo will brighten the interior up a bit, the current one looks very black. What you can do with wraps on trim pieces is amazing - I’m looking into changing my wood to carbon - but on the other hand in a rare car like this originality counts as well.

 

[Nayf]

I’m sure it will be very rewarding! I think a wooden Momo will brighten the interior up a bit, the current one looks very black. What you can do with wraps on trim pieces is amazing - I’m looking into changing my wood to carbon - but on the other hand in a rare car like this originality counts as well.

This is true – as much as I dislike carbon I'll try to keep it as original as possible; the carbon inlay needs some work as it's done the typical thing of fading in places. I am pragmatic, however – some parts of the alloy wheels can't be full-on original as they're no longer available. But I'm not really targeting a concours win with this, it's all about driving it and enjoying it.
Target is to drive it to Modena via Villa d'Este/Fuori Concorso next year.

 

[Andyk]

Well done as I know you have always wanted one. First Maserati I really truly listed after. Look forward to see your progress.

 

[alpa]

I don't think there is any serious problem with the restoration (looks more like a refresh). I don't see which part you could not repair, or any rocket science technology that couldn't be understood. It's a GT with Cup springs and few cosmetic differences, underneath it's still a GT. There is all the required knowledge in the community.
Have fun !

 

[alpa]

Btw, one of the things I suggest you to do is to open the seat rests and to reinforce the head rest holders (basically the whole top part). These rests are known to break in accidents. Inside they are biturbo seats modified to look "modern" but the steel structure added for that was too weak.

 

[hashluck]

Finally! Bloody well done my friend!

 

[urquattrogus]

Nice one!

I know you are a writer, but video updates on the restoration would be great to see if you are up for that sort of thing

 

[CatmanV2]

It’s a bit like having a pretty, high maintenance (younger?) wife I guess..not that I would know

Me neither!

C