1971 Maserati Indy America Spec Chassis #: AM1161248
The Maserati Indy (Tipo AM116) is a four-seater fastback grand tourer produced by the Italian car manufacturer Maserati from 1969 to 1975. It was the first car produced by Maserati under Citroën ownership.
The Indy was conceived as an alternative to the Ghibli offering a V8 engine and room for four people; it effectively replaced both the ageing six-cylinder 2+2 Maserati Sebring—which descended from the 1957 3500 GT— and the first generation Quattroporte.
The car was christened “Indy” in honor of Maserati's two victories at the Indy 500 in 1939 and 1940. (Maserati are still the only Italian Marque, along with Dallara, to have won this famous race!)
At its launch in 1969 the Indy was offered with a 4.2-litre V8 engine. From 1970 a 4.7-litre Indy 4700 was offered alongside the 4200; the same year some interior updates were introduced, including seats with retractable headrests and a new dashboard. In 1972, Maserati added the Indy 4900 to the range, equipped with the new 4.9-litre V8.
Production of the Indy ended in 1975. In total 1,104 were produced, 440 of them were Indy 4200s, 364 were Indy 4700s and 300 were Indy 4900s.
At the 1970 Turin Motor Show there appeared an upgraded model alongside the existing 4.2-litre car. This new version was powered by a 4.7-litre V8, with Bosch electronic ignition, now developing 290 bhp with a top speed of 165 mph (265 kph). Externally the new version could be distinguished by its deeper full length chrome door sill and re-positioned front indicators. Internally the re-designed front seats now had retractable headrests.
The Indy used unibody construction. The suspension layout was shared with the Ghibli. At the front there were double wishbone, with coaxial hydraulic dampers and roll bar, and an anti-roll bar. At the rear there was a live axle with semi-elliptical springs, a single longitudinal torc arm, hydraulic dampers and an anti-roll bar. Brakes were vented and servo-assisted discs on all four wheels. The engines were Maserati's own all aluminum, four overhead cam Tipo 107 V8 family, and were fed by four Weber 42 DCNF twin-choke carburetors; they had a wet sump, and were thus related but different from the higher output, dry sump Tipo 115 units of the flagship Ghibli.
Without a doubt it was the side profile of the Indy that best demonstrated Vignale's clever design. The front elevation with its full width slim wrap around front rubber-insert bumper and the use of retractable headlights, although attractive, lacked the long low line of the Ghibli, largely due to the Indy's wet sump engine. A full width windowed hatch flowed down to a cut-off tail incorporating the now standard horizontal rear light clusters above a full width rear bumper. Under the bumper was a panel with a central grille and openings either side from which exited the exhaust pipes.
The dashboard was true Gran Turismo: a three-spoked adjustable (up and down) Nardi steering wheel, behind which was a compact binnacle housing a large speedometer and rev counter. Situated in between these were an oil pressure gauge, an oil temperature gauge, a water temperature gauge, a fuel gauge, an analogue clock and an amp meter. On the passenger side was a similar binnacle housing an analogue clock under which was an ample glove box.
Vingale's design concealed an ample interior where even the rear passengers were afforded plenty of room. The luggage area, accessed via the almost horizontal hatch, was excellent with around 18 cubic feet of space. This area was flanked by two 50 liter petrol tanks, the battery, spare wheel, car jack and an adequate tool kit being housed under the boot floor.
This specific car has spent the last 15 years in a private collection in Kuwait. The car is in very good condition both cosmetically and mechanically. Runs, drives, and stops like a charm! I recently purchased the car and completed the import process back to the USA. Odometer reads 50,550 KM (Not miles). The car is in my garage in Crownsville, MD with a clean Maryland title in my name. Please reach out if you have any questions or would like to inspect the car. All deposits are non-refundable.
