Customised Maserati Quattroporte Series One for sale

A 1965 Maserati Quattroporte Iniezione is going under the hammer next month. The Frua-styled Series I is finished in black with scarlet seats and could go for between £80,000 and £10,000. It is part of H&H Classics sale at Woodcote Park on 6 June.

The left-hand drive car, chassis AM107*504*, was delivered new on 7 June 1965 to Italian businessman Dottore Enrico Wax, whose importing firm sold only the finest goods including Scotch whisky and Connolly leather. A friend of Enzo Ferrari, Dr Wax also owned several Ferraris coachbuilt to his own specifications. This Maserati, one of only 50 left of the 250 first-series cars was restored in 2012/2013.

Normally the engine capacity would have been 4200cc, but this car has the first 4700cc featured in the first series. The name Iniezione came from the original Lucas Injection system, but in 1966 Dr Wax asked it to be replaced by carburettors (this can be reversed since the injection parts are still available). Furthermore, the automatic gearbox was replaced by a ZF manual unit and Bosch electric components were installed instead of the Magneti Marellis.

Other options Dr Wax requested were power-assisted steering, special double exhaust pipes (each 60 mm) and two enlarged petrol tanks (50 litres each, normally 35 litres) increasing the car’s touring range. The car has a De Dion rear axle, while the AM 107A had a rigid axle.

The plush interior features rossa Connolly Vaumol leather upholstery and a Maserati Sebring dashboard with black leather instead of wood, also one of Dr Wax’s preferences. Furthermore, it has electric windows, chrome rings on the dashboard dials, a Bakelite and aluminium steering wheel and the original Blaupunkt radio system with four speakers. The factory record player was replaced by an air-conditioning unit, again by request.

The distinctive look of the car is in part down to the double Carello headlights, another Dr Wax option. The Borrani Record wheels bear their original hubcaps, with a red Maserati logo (for the Iniezione), instead of blue ones.

The present owner, a member of the technical committee of the Dutch Maserati Club, restored the car completely between 2012 and 2013.

Martin van der Zeeuw, H&H Classics’ agent in Holland who sourced the car, says: ‘Although it doesn't look like that from the outside, this beautiful Maserati is a genuine one-off, 'customised' car. It really is one for the true connoisseur.’