Maserati Gransport (aka the wedding dress)
Discussion
Gallons Per Mile said:
FAO Voicey: I ordered a set of the rounded torx/hex sockets you recommended and they turned up yesterday. They look brilliant and I'm sure I'll be using them soon, knowing the kind of cars I end up messing about with! Cheers 
Mine arrived Friday, been trying to find a rounded off bolt to try them on ever since!
I don't have much to report on this one. I have new wiper blades to fit on it. And the back tyres are worn out - Replacements in the shed.
It did get a clean in anticipation of the spring though. One thing that attracted me to the car was its import status.
Whilst I am confident it has been serviced, it is in Cantonese. But, being able to work on it, this meant that I could service it myself without impacting it's value. I'm sure anyone who reads this thread will understand the level of work my Dad and I have put into it.
The other positive is that, being from Hong Kong, it's never seen freezing temperatures or road salt. (Apparently they get a couple of days of morning frost per year).
Meaning that, unlike many UK supplied cars, it's immaculate underneath. No rust.
However, I have used it over the winter when there has been some decent dry weather. Therefore, I did give a clean - jacked it up, took the wheels off, cleaned them including the barrel of the wheel, the wheel arch liners and gave the underside a good clean with a softish brush;
IMG_5411-2 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_5412 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_5413 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_5414 by Chris, on Flickr
It did get a clean in anticipation of the spring though. One thing that attracted me to the car was its import status.
Whilst I am confident it has been serviced, it is in Cantonese. But, being able to work on it, this meant that I could service it myself without impacting it's value. I'm sure anyone who reads this thread will understand the level of work my Dad and I have put into it.
The other positive is that, being from Hong Kong, it's never seen freezing temperatures or road salt. (Apparently they get a couple of days of morning frost per year).
Meaning that, unlike many UK supplied cars, it's immaculate underneath. No rust.
However, I have used it over the winter when there has been some decent dry weather. Therefore, I did give a clean - jacked it up, took the wheels off, cleaned them including the barrel of the wheel, the wheel arch liners and gave the underside a good clean with a softish brush;
IMG_5411-2 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_5412 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_5413 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_5414 by Chris, on FlickrI think I've mentioned this previously, but I had some new tyres put on the back;
IMG_5588 by Chris, on Flickr
The door locks have been "bouncing" the last few months when I try to lock it. My Dad has a similar issue with his 4200 which helped us idtify the passenger door lock as the culprit. With a new one ordered and delivered some time ago, I found a decent day in February to have a look at this;
IMG_5557 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_5551 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_5555 by Chris, on Flickr
It was a fiddly job, with a plethora of actuating rods causing a little confusion but it didn't take that long and it has sorted the problem.
Following on from the advice I received earlier in the thread about the oil filter, I purchased a suitable tool to remove and fit it to the correct tool, so I've also torqued that up (30N.m if I recall correctly);
IMG_5720-2 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_5723 by Chris, on Flickr
I also noticed some oil misting around this breather hose to the cam cover;
IMG_5725 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_5726 by Chris, on Flickr
This was caused by the hose clamp being loose - it was not replaced form some reason by whoever took it off last time. We replace it with a correctly sized Clic-R clamp which should solve this;
IMG_5727 by Chris, on Flickr
And last weekend, I decided to have a look at the handbrake. I don't use it when it's parked on my drive - it's level so not really needed and it has the potential to seize on if I leave it. But I have noticed recently that it was weak when the brakes were warm, but more recently, it stopped working altogether.
Hence the attention. I thought it would just need adjusting...
IMG_5732 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_5729 by Chris, on Flickr
As a bonus, this did give me the chance to use the new toy;
IMG_5728 by Chris, on Flickr
For something so compact, it is stupidly powerful.. It's rated at 580N.m for loosening and 330N.m tightening, which should cover every eventuality at on a car. In fact I imagine I could scare most bolts loose just with the threat of using it.
I'm really pleased with it. It even has modes to undo bolts that mean it unwinds them slowly once they're loose rather than flinging them across the garage.
I suspect most people will know where / how to adjust the handbrake but...
You align the hole in the disc to the 6 O Clock position and stick a screwdriver in, levering a cog up or down;
IMG_5735 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_5737 by Chris, on Flickr
Of course and expected, this didn't work.
We removed the callipers (from both sides and had a closer look;
IMG_5739 by Chris, on Flickr
The driver's side was a bit of a surprise;
IMG_5742 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_5744 by Chris, on Flickr
It looks like the shoe friction material has broken away. I found some clumps of material in within the disc bell but not a lot.
The inside of the bell is also scored. But not excessively so.
IMG_5746 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_5745 by Chris, on Flickr
If it was an actual braking surface I would replace the disc(s) but it's not and the depth of the scoring is very slight.
Curiously, the shoes on the nearside were fine;
IMG_5748 by Chris, on Flickr
I took some additional photos of the cable actuated mechanism so that I can put it back together correctly...
IMG_5751 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_5752 by Chris, on Flickr
And the adjuster;
IMG_5763 by Chris, on Flickr
Neither of which turned out to be seized, just recalcitrant.
Some more reference pics;
IMG_5798 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_5799 by Chris, on Flickr
I've ordered some new shoes (Porsche fitment / bosch parts) and put the car back together for now - With the parts removed, there's nothing to fall apart or get tangled up. Meaning it is completely usable, I just need to leave it in gear if I park anywhere other than home.
In anticipation of the new shoes arriving (tomorrow), I did decide to throw the adjuster / lever / springs into the deep fat fryer for a clean - 30min @50 deg c
IMG_5803 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_5808 by Chris, on Flickr
For some reason (chemical) the plated parts came out black
IMG_5811 by Chris, on Flickr
But after a quick scrub with a wire brush, they look almost new.
Another update shall follow after the shoes arrive.
IMG_5588 by Chris, on FlickrThe door locks have been "bouncing" the last few months when I try to lock it. My Dad has a similar issue with his 4200 which helped us idtify the passenger door lock as the culprit. With a new one ordered and delivered some time ago, I found a decent day in February to have a look at this;
IMG_5557 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_5551 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_5555 by Chris, on FlickrIt was a fiddly job, with a plethora of actuating rods causing a little confusion but it didn't take that long and it has sorted the problem.
Following on from the advice I received earlier in the thread about the oil filter, I purchased a suitable tool to remove and fit it to the correct tool, so I've also torqued that up (30N.m if I recall correctly);
IMG_5720-2 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_5723 by Chris, on FlickrI also noticed some oil misting around this breather hose to the cam cover;
IMG_5725 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_5726 by Chris, on FlickrThis was caused by the hose clamp being loose - it was not replaced form some reason by whoever took it off last time. We replace it with a correctly sized Clic-R clamp which should solve this;
IMG_5727 by Chris, on FlickrAnd last weekend, I decided to have a look at the handbrake. I don't use it when it's parked on my drive - it's level so not really needed and it has the potential to seize on if I leave it. But I have noticed recently that it was weak when the brakes were warm, but more recently, it stopped working altogether.
Hence the attention. I thought it would just need adjusting...
IMG_5732 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_5729 by Chris, on FlickrAs a bonus, this did give me the chance to use the new toy;
IMG_5728 by Chris, on FlickrFor something so compact, it is stupidly powerful.. It's rated at 580N.m for loosening and 330N.m tightening, which should cover every eventuality at on a car. In fact I imagine I could scare most bolts loose just with the threat of using it.
I'm really pleased with it. It even has modes to undo bolts that mean it unwinds them slowly once they're loose rather than flinging them across the garage.
I suspect most people will know where / how to adjust the handbrake but...
You align the hole in the disc to the 6 O Clock position and stick a screwdriver in, levering a cog up or down;
IMG_5735 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_5737 by Chris, on FlickrOf course and expected, this didn't work.
We removed the callipers (from both sides and had a closer look;
IMG_5739 by Chris, on FlickrThe driver's side was a bit of a surprise;
IMG_5742 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_5744 by Chris, on FlickrIt looks like the shoe friction material has broken away. I found some clumps of material in within the disc bell but not a lot.
The inside of the bell is also scored. But not excessively so.
IMG_5746 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_5745 by Chris, on FlickrIf it was an actual braking surface I would replace the disc(s) but it's not and the depth of the scoring is very slight.
Curiously, the shoes on the nearside were fine;
IMG_5748 by Chris, on FlickrI took some additional photos of the cable actuated mechanism so that I can put it back together correctly...
IMG_5751 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_5752 by Chris, on FlickrAnd the adjuster;
IMG_5763 by Chris, on FlickrNeither of which turned out to be seized, just recalcitrant.
Some more reference pics;
IMG_5798 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_5799 by Chris, on FlickrI've ordered some new shoes (Porsche fitment / bosch parts) and put the car back together for now - With the parts removed, there's nothing to fall apart or get tangled up. Meaning it is completely usable, I just need to leave it in gear if I park anywhere other than home.
In anticipation of the new shoes arriving (tomorrow), I did decide to throw the adjuster / lever / springs into the deep fat fryer for a clean - 30min @50 deg c
IMG_5803 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_5808 by Chris, on FlickrFor some reason (chemical) the plated parts came out black
IMG_5811 by Chris, on FlickrBut after a quick scrub with a wire brush, they look almost new.
Another update shall follow after the shoes arrive.
This has been annoying me for quite some time now - dirt around the rear badge;
IMG_5834 by Chris, on Flickr
Which I couldn't remove using the usual techniques. Removal of the badge was required, which is a bit of a faff. It involves removal of the boot lid liner;
IMG_5836 by Chris, on Flickr
And faffing about with some spring washers in the depths of the bottled - they latch onto 3 prongs of the badge that poke through from the outside;
IMG_5838 by Chris, on Flickr
It was worth it though;
IMG_5839 by Chris, on Flickr
That was Thursday evening. Another job on the list was to rebuild the (hand)brake as the parts to do so, also arrived Thursday.
It was a simple enough job, mostly because pulling things apart is so easy on a car that HASN'T spent its life on salted roads. Like the brake calliper bolts for instance. All you have to do is crack them loose and they're finger tight all the way out. Which is fortunate as the ARB drop link prevents access with anything other than a ring spanner. It would take 30 min+ to get them out otherwise.
There's nothing special about the handbrake but, being somewhat unfamiliar with drum brakes I took a bunch of pics... Someone might find them useful in the future.
IMG_5842 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_5843 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_5844 by Chris, on Flickr
IMG_5850-2 by Chris, on Flickr
Which brings me back up to date.
ish.
I'm having some paintwork issues seen to this week. There's a mark on the OS sill where something looks to have been spilt on it, damaging the laquer and the front nose cone has some noticeable scratches.
Consequently, It's going in to be painted this Friday. The body shop its going to painted my Dad's 156 last year and did an amazing job of it, so we know they have experience with the colour and are capable of living up to expectation.
I'm also doing some of the donkey work - removing the bumpers in order to keep the cost down.
As you might expect, pics to follow.
IMG_5834 by Chris, on FlickrWhich I couldn't remove using the usual techniques. Removal of the badge was required, which is a bit of a faff. It involves removal of the boot lid liner;
IMG_5836 by Chris, on FlickrAnd faffing about with some spring washers in the depths of the bottled - they latch onto 3 prongs of the badge that poke through from the outside;
IMG_5838 by Chris, on FlickrIt was worth it though;
IMG_5839 by Chris, on FlickrThat was Thursday evening. Another job on the list was to rebuild the (hand)brake as the parts to do so, also arrived Thursday.
It was a simple enough job, mostly because pulling things apart is so easy on a car that HASN'T spent its life on salted roads. Like the brake calliper bolts for instance. All you have to do is crack them loose and they're finger tight all the way out. Which is fortunate as the ARB drop link prevents access with anything other than a ring spanner. It would take 30 min+ to get them out otherwise.
There's nothing special about the handbrake but, being somewhat unfamiliar with drum brakes I took a bunch of pics... Someone might find them useful in the future.
IMG_5842 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_5843 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_5844 by Chris, on FlickrIMG_5850-2 by Chris, on FlickrWhich brings me back up to date.
ish.
I'm having some paintwork issues seen to this week. There's a mark on the OS sill where something looks to have been spilt on it, damaging the laquer and the front nose cone has some noticeable scratches.
Consequently, It's going in to be painted this Friday. The body shop its going to painted my Dad's 156 last year and did an amazing job of it, so we know they have experience with the colour and are capable of living up to expectation.
I'm also doing some of the donkey work - removing the bumpers in order to keep the cost down.
As you might expect, pics to follow.
Edited by Zombie on Thursday 10th June 11:31
Lovely photos, sorry you're selling. Would definitely catch my attention if I was in the market, IMO being a low mileage import is a positive and the care you've taken over it much more so.
I'd suggest adding an engine bay shot to the ad, after all you know what they say about Ferrari engines, you're buying the motor and getting the rest for free ;-)
Update, car is still for sale in theory, although I only advertised it the once on Ebay and here. I couldn't raise the enthusiasm to readvertise it, partly because I like it so much and partly because I was fed up with being mithered by w**k spanners who would offer a stupid low amount and then hurl abuse at me when I politely declined their offer.
Consequently, I still have it. And it needed an MOT this week. Another Pass, no advisories. Again. Happy with that.
Consequently, I still have it. And it needed an MOT this week. Another Pass, no advisories. Again. Happy with that.
What a stunning car this! You seem to buy the cars I'd love to buy if I had more cash, and to maintain them in the way I'd love to if I had a hundred times more ability/energy/will.
Impeccable taste beautifully executed, please don't sell (except if funding is needed for a QP IV, or an early Ghibli, etc).
Impeccable taste beautifully executed, please don't sell (except if funding is needed for a QP IV, or an early Ghibli, etc).
That's a lovely car!
I understand why you're not in a rush to get rid.
Looking at your profile, i can't seem to send you a direct message, hence: having recently bought a former US Gransport Spyder (and living on the continent), do you still happen the km/h speedo and want to get rid of it?
Cheers,
Alex
I understand why you're not in a rush to get rid.
Looking at your profile, i can't seem to send you a direct message, hence: having recently bought a former US Gransport Spyder (and living on the continent), do you still happen the km/h speedo and want to get rid of it?
Cheers,
Alex
I have one of these and absolutely love it. They are one of these cars that can look a bit awkward in photos but that are utterly lovely in the metal, and smaller than you might think.
The noise is spectacular - these sing and yowl in the way of a proper Italian V8.
Took a while to find a good one: they are cheap for what they are but need a proper budget for maintenance, so plenty I saw had been neglected. So if anyone's interested in one, it is clear that the OP's has been pampered and brought to fantastic condition. And I reckon the pearl white looks great!
The noise is spectacular - these sing and yowl in the way of a proper Italian V8.
Took a while to find a good one: they are cheap for what they are but need a proper budget for maintenance, so plenty I saw had been neglected. So if anyone's interested in one, it is clear that the OP's has been pampered and brought to fantastic condition. And I reckon the pearl white looks great!
Edited by Harry Flashman on Thursday 30th December 21:39
Awesome job Sir! Hat's off to you! 
What kind of chemicals did you use in the Ultrasonic Cleaner? I have excatly the same Ultrasonic cleaner, but not so succesfully cleaned with it previousley.
Happy, lovely and succesfull New 2022 Tiger's Year! At the most have a good health in this strange time around the world! Cheers Sir!
What kind of chemicals did you use in the Ultrasonic Cleaner? I have excatly the same Ultrasonic cleaner, but not so succesfully cleaned with it previousley.
Happy, lovely and succesfull New 2022 Tiger's Year! At the most have a good health in this strange time around the world! Cheers Sir!
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