Introduced in 1963 and styled by Frua, the Quattroporte marked a significant milestone for Maserati. It not only became the Modena firm’s inaugural four-door saloon but also its first car constructed with a unitary body. Unveiled at the 1963 Turin Show, this elegant vehicle boasted a V8 engine, downsized to 4.2 litres from the four-cam V8 of the 5000GT.
Underneath its sleek exterior, the Quattroporte featured independent front suspension and a De Dion rear axle. However, in 1967, the De Dion axle was replaced by a conventional elliptically sprung live axle.
Despite weighing close to 2 tons and being fully equipped, the Quattroporte exhibited impressive performance. Car & Driver clocked a 0-60mph time of 8.7 seconds and achieved a top speed of 120mph, estimating a potential additional 10mph.
Following the acquisition of Maserati by Alessandro De Tomaso, the Quattroporte II was introduced, incorporating the V6 engine and front-wheel-drive setup from the Citroën SM. Designed by Bertone, this model did not enjoy a long production run. In 1978, the third iteration, the Quattroporte III, was unveiled, featuring the distinctive styling of Ital Design.
The third-generation Quattroporte reintroduced Maserati’s V8 power, offering a choice between a 4.2 or a 4.9-litre engine. It reverted to rear-wheel drive, utilizing a lengthened Kyalami floorpan and an all-independent suspension system.
Source: Bonhams
