This 1978 Maserati Khamsin is one of 155 examples produced for the US market and was sold new by Sports Car Exchange in Dearborn, Michigan. The car was purchased by its current owner in Illinois in 1995 from a friend who had owned it for approximately 15 years. Finished in red over black leather, the vehicle is powered by a 4.9-liter DOHC V8 featuring dry-sump lubrication and four Weber carburetors. Additional equipment includes a five-speed manual transmission, four-wheel independent suspension, power-assisted disc brakes, Citroën variable-assistance power steering, air conditioning, and power windows. Service in 2020 included changing the oil, flushing the fuel system, and replacing the fuel filter. This Tipo 120 is now offered on dealer consignment with original sales documents, owner’s manuals, a tool kit and jack, and a clean Illinois title.
The Khamsin entered production in 1974 featuring bodywork designed by Bertone’s Marcello Gandini, and fewer than 450 examples were sold worldwide through 1982. Styling includes a wedge-shaped profile, offset hood louvers, popup headlights, and a Kamm tail with a transparent glass panel. This example is finished in red and retains a US-market rear panel with the taillights mounted beneath the glass in lieu of the “floating” lights found on European variants. Black impact bumpers were also distinct to US models.
15×7.5” Campagnolo wheels are secured with octagonal spinners and wear Bridgestone Turanza tires. The Khamsin’s four-wheel disc brake system utilizes Citroën’s high-pressure hydraulic technology, which also powers the DIRAVI speed-adjustable steering assistance. The brake hydraulics on this car were reportedly refreshed in 2019.
The interior is trimmed in black leather with suede inserts on the door panels and flocked leather over the dash. Contrasting tan carpeting lines the floors and rear hatch shelf. 2+2 seating incorporates hydraulic height adjustment for the driver’s seat, and hydraulics also operate the headlights. Additional amenities include a tilting/telescoping steering column, power-adjustable side mirror, Blaupunkt AM/FM/cassette player, and power antenna. Air conditioning was standard equipment, though the system does not function on this car.
Veglia Borletti instrumentation includes a 200-mph speedometer and 8k-rpm tachometer, flanking gauges for oil pressure and coolant temperature. The center dash houses a clock and gauges monitoring oil temperature and voltage. The five-digit odometer shows 40k miles, approximately 4k of which have been added by the current owner.
The front-mid-mounted 4.9-liter V8 incorporates an aluminum block, aluminum cylinder heads with hemispherical combustion chambers, and dual overhead camshafts on each bank. Additional features include dry-sump lubrication, four dual-barrel Weber carburetors, and Bosch electronic ignition. Factory-rated output for US models was 315 horsepower and 308 lb-ft of torque. The seller notes the smog pump has been removed.
Service performed by the selling dealer in 2020 included draining and flushing the fuel system, replacing the rear fuel filter and various fuel hoses, changing the oil, and repairing the throttle linkage. Footage of the engine running can be viewed in the video above.
The rear wheels are driven through a fully synchronized five-speed manual transmission. The Khamsin features unibody construction and four-wheel independent suspension. The latter utilizes coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, and torsion bars at front and rear.
The window sticker lists the original dealer and a suggested retail price of nearly $43k. Also included and pictured in the photo gallery are a Maserati price information sheet from the late 1970s, as well as an owner’s manual, tool kit, and jack. Videos below include a walk around and a ride along, while additional ride along footage can be viewed here.
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