Belgian title

Chassis No. AM123*008 Engine No. 610002

- Displayed by Maserati at the Paris, Turin, Brussels and Barcelona Motor Shows

- Supplied with its Maserati Classiche certification

- Extremely rare (only 13 made, and 7 known to survive)

- Only three owners, excellent condition

- Extensive historical documentation

 

This car stands out on account of its exceptional rarity. From the official production total of 13 cars, only seven are known to survive, and just three of these are in running order today. In fact, this rare Quattroporte II may be likened to a factory prototype, which Maserati used to promote the model, as it was the first pre-production car built. It was exhibited in turn at the Paris Motor Show in October 1974, at the Turin Motor Show two weeks later, at the Brussels Motor Show in December 1974 and finally at the Barcelona Motor Show in April 1976, as can be seen from the corresponding delivery notices issued by Maserati. After this, the car remained in Spain, where it was sold on 9 June 1976 to Sra. Roura Fernandez in Barcelona, who kept it for many years, as it was only in 2013 that she sold it to its second owner, Bernard Guénant, the Maserati dealer in La Roche-sur-Yon and a collector with a passion for the marque. In February 2019, Thierry Dehaeck decided to purchase it for his own collection, thus becoming its third owner.

The car had been restored cosmetically, but mechanically it needed some work, so a complete restoration was undertaken: the engine, transmission and various other components were stripped down and rebuilt, with some parts having to be remade.

 

It is an especially interesting car, as it marks a turning point in Maserati’s history. The owner of the Italian company since 1968, Citroën decided to launch the second generation of the Quattroporte using a wider and longer version of the SM chassis, equipped with the 3-litre V6 from the Merak SS, which was more powerful than the SM engine. Responsibility for the body was given to Bertone, and it was Marcello Gandini who designed its original shape with its taut lines, incorporating the set of three headlamps on each side (two of them swivelling) from the SM. This luxurious saloon had two innovative technical features for its category: front-wheel drive and hydropneumatic suspension ensuring outstanding comfort. Production was due to begin in 1975, but following the difficulties caused by the oil crisis in 1973, Citroën was obliged to merge with Peugeot and Maserati was sold to the Argentinian businessman Alejandro De Tomaso, with the Quattroporte II becoming a casualty of these developments, thus explaining its very limited production.

 

The Quattroporte presented here is by far the most interesting of all. It is the first pre-production model (the only one fitted with headlamp wipers), as well as being the car used in period by Maserati for its press photographs and to present the model at four major European motor shows. In excellent cosmetic and mechanical condition, it boasts an extensive file charting its history, as well as articles devoted to it, such as one in the magazine Rétroviseur in March 2017, Maserati press photographs and documents, its FIVA ID card and Maserati Classiche certification ... An extremely rare car which played a major part in Maserati’s history, it was displayed at the Autoworld Museum in Brussels in 2022 and at the Louwman Museum in May 2026. It also took part in the Chantilly Concours in 2024 and was named ‘Best of Show’ at the Antwerp Concours in September that same year. At Salon Privé in 2025, this exceptional car won no fewer than three trophies: 1st prize in its class, the prize for the greatest distance covered to attend the concours and the prize for the youngest participant, as it was presented by the son of Thierry Dehaeck, who has the good fortune to share his passion with his family!

Little known, this Quattroporte II represents a unique opportunity to acquire a model which combines extreme rarity and genuine originality, and which will be welcomed unreservedly at the very best concours and historic events.