1972 Maserati Mexico

• Maserati's 4.7-litre, DOHC, V8 engine produced 290bhp, good enough for around 240km/h
• Finished in Argento (silver). Lovely original blue leather interior and original Becker Mexico
• Fitted with factory power steering, factory air conditioning and gleaming chrome Borannis
• Bought some ten years ago by our private vendor, who is the fourth owner
• Around 17,000 miles from new and maintained to a high standard by our vendor
• Three files worth of history including details of a £150,000 + restoration by CMC. 250 pages and 1,000 photos of the restoration

Introduced at the 1966 Rimini Concorso d'Eleganza, the Mexico, much like the Ghibli Maserati introduced in 1967, marked a notable shift in Maserati's design language and engine style. Named in commemoration of John Surtees' victory in the 1966 Mexican Grand Prix, the new four-seat Maserati featured a thunderous V8 engine developed from the type first seen in the venerable 450S racecar. The Mexico offered exciting performance and pleasing Vignale lines mixed with the luxurious practicality of having room for four adults.

Silverstone Auctions are delighted to offer this extremely rare 4.7 Mexico, one of only six right-hand drive examples ever made with the desirable 4.7 litre engine and manual gearbox. This stunning example is also fitted with factory power steering, factory air conditioning, gleaming chrome Borannis and is finished in Argento with a lovely blue leather interior.

Originally ordered for the Australian market, the order was then cancelled at which point the Maserati was bought by an Italian enthusiast, who owned it all the way up to 2006, however, in later years, it became sadly neglected. In 2006 the car, looking unloved, was discovered by a Mr Hughes who promptly bought it and imported it into the UK.

CMC of Bridgenorth had in the past restored a couple of Jaguars for Mr Hughes and it was natural that he would entrust them with returning the big Maserati to its former glory. There are three huge restoration files accompanying this special car, two files contain pictures of the restoration (250 pages and 1,000 photos) and the third contains invoices and correspondence. Our vendor informs us that when you add up the receipts they total just over £150,000!

When finally restored, the car remained fitted with its original KPH speedo and the odometer at the time was reading c20,000km. This was replaced with an MPH speedometer of the correct type taken from another car, and that was reading approximately 40,000 miles – this reading remained unaltered, despite the vehicle having only covered less than half this distance. Since completion, around 2,000 miles have been covered, suggesting a total mileage of around 17,000 miles from new, not warranted but as close as we can get.

Our vendor is the fourth owner, having bought it from Sherwood Restorations in 2010 and it has formed part of his significant private collection ever since. With room for four, these usable V-8 Maseratis are long-legged classics from the golden era of Italian 'Gran Tourismo' and given the rarity and quality of restoration, this really is a special opportunity. Your earliest inspection is encouraged and very welcome.