In the 1990s, nobody in North America spent much (any?) time thinking about Maserati products. So you’d be forgiven if today’s Rare Ride slipped from your fond early-90s memories long ago.
It’s the Shamal, and it’s a bit homely.
Named, like many of Maserati’s other models (not the Biturbo), after a gust of air, Shamal is a wind that blows across large areas of Mesopotamia. As the 1990s fast approached, Maserati sought to blow some hot air into its lineup with a new 2+2 grand touring coupe. The company had not offered a coupe in that particular space since the demise of the Khamsin back in 1982.
Maserati telephoned the Khamsin’s designer, one Marcello Gandini of Lamborghini Countach and Lancia Stratos fame. “One more!” they said. Gandini set to work, and the Shamal debuted in December of 1989 in Modena, Italy. As the flagship coupe of Maserati’s product line, the Shamal shared many parts with the related Biturbo. The body shell, doors, and interior were all carried over in the effort. New were the front and rear end designs, as well as the unique Targa-style decorative bar on the pillars and roof.
All Shamals were powered by a 3.2-liter twin-turbo V8, producing a respectable 321 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. Power was delivered to the rear wheels via the six-speed manual. Not resting on their tech laurels, all Shamals were equipped with an adaptive suspension Maserati developed in conjunction with Koni.
The Shamal was the last model presented by Maserati’s then-owner Alejandro De Tomaso. By the time the new model went on sale in 1990, the company was already nestled under Fiat’s huge corporate umbrella. Shamal remained in production throughout 1996. At the end of its run, just 369 were produced.
For most of the time the Shamal was in production, the visually similar, but softer and more luxurious Ghibli was on offer. Ghibli used smaller engines, was available with an automatic transmission, and was priced below the Shamal. Ghibli remained in production from 1992 through 1998. While neither of those vehicles made it to the North American market, a buyer has retrieved today’s Shamal example from Switzerland and brought it to “Etobicoke,” located in Ontario.
With low miles, the Shamal asks $85,000.
[Images: seller]
Looks like the love child from a Chrysler 300 and Pontiac Fiero.
My Maserati does 185, I lost my license now I don’t drive.
Got me a limo, ride in the back, I lock the doors in case I’m attacked.
Aw come on Joe, you can always change your name.
Thanks a lot son, just the same.
Maybe it’s just because the license plate is off-center and lopsided, but the trident badge on the back looks off-center and lopsided.
The whole car is off-center and lopsided, starting with those wheel wells
Only one bolt in the license plate. Usually you only see that on a jalopy. Makes me wonder how long he’s had this car because if it were my baby I would be concerned about the partially attached plate scratching the bumper paint.
The front end is pretty busy, kind of a Griswold Family Truckster lighting situation.
You have to know this is junk, but a 321-hp V-8 in a car this size would be a hoot.
AND THOSE SEATS!!! Gawd almighty.
I dig it.
The seller unfortunately did not take any pictures of the engine, but the Shamal is quite attractive under the hood.
I originally thought this used a version of the 3.2L V8 from the Mondial and 328 but it’s actually the BiTurbo’s V6 with two extra cylinders added on. I’m not sure if that’s better or worse.
Speaking of Ferrari, I’m quite surprised by the asking price here. A decent 328 is around $80k, a good Mondial is a little under $50K, and an actual working condition BiTurbo (of which there are few) is sub $15K. I’d expect the Shamal to be somewhere in the $40K range, but I guess I’m way off.
I think you’re paying a surcharge here because it’s imported, and not a standard NA market one like the other things on that list.
I see a wee bit of BMW 840 in the front fender from a side view. Love the seats.
Actually IIRC, gearbox was shared between Shamal, 8-series and Vette ZR1 (C4).
Gorgeous but $85,000 is a lot to ask for this.
I know on detroit craigslist you can get Biturbos for $12K all day long. What could go wrong!
I’d say paying $12,000 for a Biturbo in the first place is an excellent definition of “went wrong.”
Those rear wheel arches. Ow, my eyeballs. Can’t unsee.
Yeah it’s horrible…but I like it. Is it actually possible to get a human being in the back seat?
Yes indeed, that is a curious design choice – in between squared off and full arch.
Very vaguely reminiscient of Citroën design — the Quattroporte IV, also based on the Biturbo, had that too. It doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the time when Citroën owned Maserati; Wikipedia describes the wheel arches as desginer Marcello Gandini’s trademark.
Yeah, Shamal Shmamal.
Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!
You really have to appreciate the rear seatbelt design. They should fit snuggly over your sternum.
Especially because you would be in a permanent slouch in those seats
I love the Land Rover Discovery in the background, this guy is a real auto-masochist. Bet he walks, a lot
If you really want to give your head a slap, those houses pictured would each sell for well over $1 million.
I’ve heard Toronto is a lot like LA these days
It’s not just Toronto. House prices are high all across Canada. The average is half a million which converts to a bit under $400k US. Houses cost almost twice as much in Canada as in the US. I couldn’t afford my US house if it were located in Canada. (I couldn’t afford it in any major US city, either.)
I have to admit I love these 90s Masers.Clarkson’s red one in season 1 GT was stunning. I think he kept it for himself iirc.
Didn’t they just end up with three versions of Biturbo in that challenge?
that rear wheel well is reminiscent of the late 70s Ferrari 308 Rainbow concept car. As for the rest… the bituro’s actually refreshing by comparison.
Marcello Ghandini cars, Lambos etc had all this design.
Is that a cowl spoiler?
Marcello Gandini cars, Lambos etc had all this design.
This thing has more halogens on the front than anything with a light bar. Why are there four fog lights?
Honest question, have Maseratis EVER been cool?
I’m not sure how cool they are, but Maserati’s are omnipresent in Scottsdale, AZ.
I like the Biturbo better, but I wouldn’t complain about the Shamal engine in a Biturbo … or in a Citroën SM for that matter.
I like it. Not worth anywhere close to $85K — but it’s a crazy little car with some grunt. Only thing I’d do is remove those body colored headlight bezels and paint them black. Very nice wheels on this car, too. The factory ones are fairly pedestrian.
Reliability would be a huge concern, though. I remember test driving an early BiTurbo — and that hunk of crap overheated about 5 minutes in. Electric fans failed to turn on. Couldn’t believe it when the salesman popped the hood and took the radiator cap off. That brilliant move resulted in a Yellowstone-like coolant eruption.
Probably the last attractive Maserati vehicle.