Maserati GranSport Spyder | Spotted
Summer isn't over just yet - what better way to appreciate the last few weeks of proper sunshine?
Maserati isn’t having the best time of it at the moment. True, it’s been drip feeding us regurgitated MC20 (sorry, MCPURA) special editions over the years, and we’re quite fond of the new GranTurismo in both V6 Trofeo and Folgore electric guise. But the problem is that they’re not selling nearly as well as Maserati would like, and the discontinuation of the Ghibli, Levante and Quattroporte hasn’t helped matters either - even if they were on their last legs.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Maserati is said to have an electric SUV in the works, and we all know how much people like them. So that’s certainly a glimmer of hope, and it’s not like the company needs a stacked lineup to rake in sales. Turn the clock back 20 years and it was knocking on the door of five-figure sales with just two key models: the exquisite fifth-generation Quattroporte, which catapulted Maserati into the 21st century, alongside the often overlooked GranSport. Actually, you can count the GranSport Spyder - like this lovely example we have here - as a third contender because a) manufacturers love counting convertibles as ‘all-new models’ and b) the Spyder was a fair bit different to the coupe.
From afar, the two look close to identical. Aside from the Spyder’s folding soft top, of course. But park them nose to nose and view them side-on, and you’d notice something’s amiss. Look around the rear axle and you’ll notice the arches sit a lot closer to the door on the convertible than they do on the coupe. That's because Maserati chopped 220mm off the Spyder’s wheelbase to compensate for the drop in torsional rigidity. It’s still 52kg heavier than the coupe thanks to additional bracing, but that number would have been a whole lot bigger had the wheelbase not been shortened.
The Spyder can trace its roots back to the 4200, which itself was a marked improvement over the 3200. Further enhancements came with the GranSport, which is widely considered the best sorted of the lot (save for perhaps the uber rare MC Victory). The model appeared in coupe format initially, with the drop-top introduced as a limited-run 90th Anniversary special, of which just 15 were made available in right-hand drive. Aside from the Blu Anniversary colour scheme, snazzy carbon fibre seat fairings and chrome highlights, it was otherwise a standard convertible GranSport with an inflated price tag.
Demand must have been high because Maserati would unveil the GranSport Spyder a year after the 90th Anniversary’s reveal. Like the coupe, it came with an uprated 4.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 that was now capable of delivering 400hp at 7,000rpm, and while it was paired exclusively with the flappy-paddle Cambiocorsa gearbox, the software was reworked to quicken shift times by 35 per cent and blip the throttle on downshifts for extra drama. Adaptive dampers came as standard, too. So it was essentially the 90th Anniversary model, minus the special colour, head fairings and inflated price tag. No wonder Maserati shifted a few hundred examples despite the Spyder arriving mere moments before it made way for the GranTurismo.
Being a 2007 model means this particular car will likely have been one of the last to roll off the line. And it did so in superb fashion, looking magnificent in Rosso Mondial over a black with red-piping leather interior. There’s something of the Ferrari 550 Barchetta about it, albeit four cylinders down and with a less fiddly roof. It’s a good deal cheaper than a Barchetta, too, with the seller asking £31,995 for this car. Granted, it’s a fair whack more than a coupe, but the Spyder is far rarer and gets you closer to that wonderful exhaust note. Grab it before the sun goes back into hibernation for another year.
SPECIFICATION | MASERATI GRANSPORT SPYDER
Engine: 4,244cc V8
Transmission: six-speed automated manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 400@7,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 332@4,500rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
Year registered: 2007
Recorded mileage: 64,000
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £31,995
They did also come with 3 pedals but those were rare and came as the model pre grandsport. Took one for a test drive. It was pretty good, but I chose a Lancia Delta Integrale EVO 2 as I was looking for something more sporty. Otherwise a good looking and great sounding Maser.
A manual conversion of the transport spider is a good idea.
Had the Maserati been offered exclusively with a manual transaxle gearbox then it would have a killer USP, but it was not.
Maybe a contender for a 3 pedal swap?
EDIT: or not! All the "manuals" on AT are actually cambicorsas once you look at the photos. I could have sworn there were generally 5 or 6 proper manuals for sale at any given time not that long ago...
This from a former long-term SAAB 900 Convertible owner, so I know what scuttle shake is.
This one looks great, but I'd want a manual personally.
The gearbox is no where as bad as people make out if the engagement point is set up correctly and the software can be modded to the later cars. Did a couple of Angouleme trips in mine, a great gt. Only needed a single coil pack, which I did myself, above annual servicing, which was sub £1000.
Shorter than the coupe and surprisingly compact when compared with my current XKR and the DB9 etc. Shame they are not more well thought of as if it has a jumping pony on the front, it would be 3 times the price
Maybe a contender for a 3 pedal swap?
EDIT: or not! All the "manuals" on AT are actually cambicorsas once you look at the photos. I could have sworn there were generally 5 or 6 proper manuals for sale at any given time not that long ago...
The Spyder had the makings of a classic but truncating the 2+2 design ruined the look. A cheaper option than improving rigidity I guess.
The price on this one is punchy. I’m not sure it represents value for money when it’s near identical predecessor costs under half the amount.
This from a former long-term SAAB 900 Convertible owner, so I know what scuttle shake is.
This one looks great, but I'd want a manual personally.
The Maserati Spyder also commanded a bit more money than the SAAB when new too.
For some context, an S2000 or a Porsche Boxster are night and day better. The Maserati feels 20 years older.
Maybe a contender for a 3 pedal swap?
EDIT: or not! All the "manuals" on AT are actually cambicorsas once you look at the photos. I could have sworn there were generally 5 or 6 proper manuals for sale at any given time not that long ago...
Re scuttle shake, I did notice this too, and felt the car was very "floaty", but given it was an open top, I thought it was not a big deal for the type of car it was.
I'd still choose this over the contemporary XK, for the sound that 4.2 Ferrari derived V8 makes. It also looks better: more compact, with less overhangs (never liked the bulbous rear of the XK) muscular and better attention to detail in the design element. They certainly look A LOT better in the metal than in photos.
I had a 4200 Cambio Coupe a couple of years back, and it was a blast to drive.
The gearbox takes some getting used to, but once you 'click' with it, they are a good unit and fun to drive.
You can pick up Coupes for sub-£10k these days, which represent good value for money, for a car with good looks and a Ferrari-derived engine.
The Maserati Spyder also commanded a bit more money than the SAAB when new too.
For some context, an S2000 or a Porsche Boxster are night and day better. The Maserati feels 20 years older.
In my18 years in the motor trade, scuttle shake was only comment-worthy for customers coming from a car with a roof to a convertible for the first time. I've never considered it to be something that ruins the driving experience. It's just "a thing". And it's outweighed by the experience of driving with the roof off - if that's your thing.
The Gransport (spider or coupe) were all Cambiocorsa (CC) (flappy paddles) there were no manuals.
The 4200 (spider and coupe) had both CC and manual options.
The 3200 were auto or manual. No Spiders though.
Hope that clears things up.
The Gransport (spider or coupe) were all Cambiocorsa (CC) (flappy paddles) there were no manuals.
The 4200 (spider and coupe) had both CC and manual options.
The 3200 were auto or manual. No Spiders though.
Hope that clears things up.
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