At 4,510mm long and 1,822mm wide, the 3200 GT is quite a large car, so make sure it will fit in your garage. The shell is a steel monocoque with the front and rear suspension mounted on subframes. Maserati galvanised the steel shell and bodywork to guard against rust, but it's still worth checking carefully around the edges of the boot and the rear wheelarches for any bubbling. This seems to affect the right-hand side of the rear bodywork more than the left.
While in this area, check the spare wheel well for damp as the boot seals wear and need replacing every 10 years or so to keep the luggage compartment water tight.
Be careful when cleaning the 3200 GT not to use a pressure washer as damp can find its way into the electrics. Usually, this means the indicators or electric windows might play up for a short while after you've cleaned the car. The rest of the 3200 GT's electrics can also be troublesome, though more often than not it will be a blown fuse rather than something more expensive. Even so, make sure everything works as it should.
As with any car of this type, you should always be looking for signs of accident damage, especially as the 3200 GT is known for handling that can catch out the inexperienced due to its on/off throttle and turbos that kick in with little subtlety. The fit of the front bumper is a good indicator to condition as it uses shims to get the shut lines right.
At the back of the 3200 GT, those trademark 'boomerang' lights are one of the design highlights of this car that were killed off due to North American buyers not liking them. They're hard to get hold of for replacements and good secondhand units fetch as much as £1,000, so be sure they're in perfect nick on any potential purchase.
Owner's view
Rust is probably one of the biggest issues on these cars and many suffer corrosion on the rear driver's side arch and front wings. There is no other alternative than to get it repainted.
Ram Kanadia