What Maserati is this... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

sixto · #1 07-13-2003, 03:08 AM

... and why does it take taillight styling cues from a 1967 Pontiac Catalina?

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

sixto · #2 07-13-2003, 03:11 AM

1967 Pontiac Catalina

#3 07-13-2003, 07:09 AM

They ditched those lights before it even hit the production line

Gilly · #4 07-13-2003, 04:48 PM

Info from this website:
http://www.pistonheads.com/roadtests/index.asp?storyId=6694

Quote:

The tail lights have been the subject of much debate. I much preferred the tail light arrangement of the earlier European model, but the current arrangement is not what you can call ugly, just more conservative. The side profile is soft and flowing, like melting wax, while the front end is quite aggressive, which is great as traffic moves out of your way very swiftly as you descend on them.

Gilly

sixto · #5 07-13-2003, 06:13 PM

Pontiac to Honda. Looks like you could fit some Altezas

Why not some good old fashioned round lights?

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

jjrodger · #6 07-13-2003, 06:33 PM

The first pic is of a Maserati 3200GT Coupe. It was launched in about 1998 and features a 3.2litre twin-turbo engine. The second Maserati pic is the 4200GT Coupe which replaced it in about 2002. The main changes are to the engine and suspension: 4.2litre normally aspirated and some kind of fancy adjustable set up. Unfortunately they also changed the stylish boomerang rear lights for the rather bland affair you see in the second pic. I don't think the Italians would recognise the Pontiac as an automobile.

sixto · #7 07-13-2003, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jjrodger
I don't think the Italians would recognise the Pontiac as an automobile.

I had no trouble recognizing the Pontiac taillights on the Maserati

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

#8 07-13-2003, 10:28 PM

Related to Maseratti,
couple of weeks ago I saw a chrysler that looked like the Lebaron but coupe and it had maseratti insignia in numerous places, and different styling from Lebaron. The rear window was a round one like on the thunderbird with maseratti insignia in the middle. This was not a "custom" car. The seats looked like the ones on old masserattis with those puffy folds. It looked original. Was there ever any cooperation between these 2 companies?

#9 07-13-2003, 10:31 PM

I just found a pic it looked just like this, with same color. It looks that it was a convertible after all.

http://www.cars-on-line.com/89tc8434.html

#10 07-13-2003, 10:32 PM

Indeed there was...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2423672199&category=6313

Eberhard Weilke · #11 07-14-2003, 01:15 AM

This vehicle (I will not call it an automobil) is a good example, what you can do to a brand without totally killing the reputation.

You remember the Isuzu Gemini Lotus? They really had some nerves in the 80s and 90s...

Kind regards
Eberhard

akry · #12 07-14-2003, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rsbiomedical
They ditched those lights before it even hit the production line

I actually liked 3200GT taillights more than Maseratti Coupe/Convertible we have here in NA..... And if I remember it right, those tails on 3200GT are LED instead of light bulbs on later models w/new style tails???

BlueBabyBenz · #13 07-14-2003, 04:17 AM

For my money those lights look more like a late model Camry than the Pontiac.

sixto · #14 07-14-2003, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eberhard Weilke
You remember the Isuzu Gemini Lotus? They really had some nerves in the 80s and 90s...

Didn't the 90s Elan have an Isuzu engine?

And I've seen some Cirtroen SMs with a Maserati badge on the grille. Must be where the saying, "stick a fork in it, it's done" comes from

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

#15 07-14-2003, 07:19 AM

Maserati and Crysler did cooperate. Maserati went out of business and they were bought by Ferrari. They are built in a new plant located in the city of Modena.