Maserati 3200 GT | PH Auction Block
Not just any 3200 GT, either, if such a thing even exists - a manual 3200 GT...
The affordable manual V8 feels like a great rite of passage for a PHer. Perhaps with a classic TVR, or an old Audi S car for those who need the space. Don’t forget the Vauxhall Monaro, either. There’s little to rival the sensation of eight thunderous cylinders with your hands and feet working the gears. So how’s this for a left-field choice in a space that the German and British makers seemed to have sewn up - the Maserati 3200 GT?
No, really. There are still low mileage, good 3200s with the six-speed available at dealers for around £15k. Even concours are only a little more than £20,000. So it’s possible to make an educated guess at ‘not very much in the grand scheme of things’ for this glorious PH Auctions lot, showing fewer than 65,000 miles and with plenty spent by its current keeper.
Probably it’s the maintenance factor that puts many off an old Maserati. Evidently owning a 3200 GT isn’t going to be like keeping a Toyota Celica. But look at what’s offered up in return: a design that still turns heads more than a quarter of a century later (one that the subsequent 4200 GT really didn’t improve on), the Maserati cachet, a six-speed manual gearbox and a twin-turbocharged 3.2-litre V8. Having to take proper care of such a machine, and prepare for a couple of big bills, seems like a fair trade.
Happily, a new clutch and master cylinder went in last year, so that’s one less thing to think about. There’s a wealth of service history in an ‘enormous’ folder, and an advisory-free MOT that runs until October. You’ll want to go into old Maser ownership with eyes open, of course, but some examples are definitely better than others. The last MOT fail for this one was 2022 because the screenwash wasn’t working (!), the last advisory in 2020. The tests in 2013, ‘14, ‘15, ‘16, ‘17, ‘18, ‘21, ‘22 and ‘24 were first time passes, without advisories. Which isn’t everything, sure, but it does suggest careful ownership.
And we’re not even onto the best bit of this 3200 yet, which must be the spec. Silver is a fairly common choice for these, and still looks very good indeed. Typically it’s paired with black leather, but not here because this Maserati gets an absolutely glorious shade of red upholstery. Complete with matching carpets for maximum glamour. All in really good nick, too. If ever a car deserves a red leather interior, it’s a manual Maserati V8.
That cabin condition extends to the outside, which is good and not a long way from great. All tyres are matching Pirellis, the wheels are smart, and the legendary lights - we really got this far without mentioning them - are as unmistakable as ever. So much glamour, so much style and what seems like a lot of TLC, available for supermini money. Maybe a 3200 GT is the bravest way into a manual V8 for not much money, but it’s undoubtedly also the most stylish as well. Which certainly counts for a lot. Bidding starts on Thursday…
Rear of 3200 a thing of beauty.
If you take reliability out of equation, I would say this is the best all round car, for an enthusiast, on market for less than a new Yaris hybrid turd.
, this Maserati always had something of an old man syndrome about it, but granted, it might just sound a tad more engaging than the Yaris One day I found one for sale via a Maserati forum, priced attractively for a quick sale. Car was at a highly respected specialist making it ready for what was to be the owners daily driver, before his plans changed. My offer of £12k was accepted.
Spoke to specialist, who said car could do with a couple more remedial jobs. My reduced offer of £10k. was accepted.
Specialist reported new problem had arisen where car kept stalling. They said there will always be repairs needed on a 3200.
Owner said I could have the car for £8k, what WBAC quoted. I concluded the gods had been with me and saved me from the pain of ever owning a 3200.
I've been very close to pulling the trigger on a Ghibli (series 2), 3200, 4200 and GranSport at various times over the past 20 years but always bottled it, promising myself no more unreliable Italian exotica (assuming Integrales and 8.32s now fall into that category).
I don't think I'll ever get one now as they're starting to age and are a bit too big and heavy for my usual Sunday b-boad drives.
Twin turbo V8 plus 6 manual gears. Glorious soundtrack to boot. Slight bravery perhaps required in owning one
Shame these things are not ULEZ compliant but a great weekend car nonetheless.
The handling is very GT. These cars, even with the Skyhook enabled, corner like a canoe. Engine is a gem when it's right though. A kit car is more reliable.
The 4200 Gransport is the one to get (that's what I bought next) but watch out for subframes rotting from the inside out. Gransport has better chassis due to thicker arbs and stiffer springs and dampers. F1 box clunky by today's standards though.
Best Maserati if you have £15 to £20k is a Ghibli S Petrol. I've had one 5 years and it hasn't missed a beat.
I’ve been so tempted over the years, given how affordable they are but I just know, especially at the age they are now, owning one would ruin me.
That said, seeing one always reminds me of the day out I had with my late father at the 1998 NEC motorshow. I queued up to buy us both a sandwich for lunch, only to come back to where I’d left him 10 minutes before, to see him sat in the driving seat of the the then just launched 3200GT, with a Maserati dolly bird in the passenger seat
He was grinning ear to ear, having blagged his way past the rope cordon, in a way I’d never have even dared in my mid twenties, as I was back then.
I’ll never own a 3200GT, just like my dad didn’t, but seeing one always makes me think of that magic day out, and always makes me smile.
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