1992 Maserati Karif

This 1992 Maserati Karif is as rare as hens’ teeth.

According to which source you consult only 25 or 32 RHD models were ever built.

The statistics suggest that of those in the UK, 5 are currently registered for road use and 11 have SORN status.

Either way, you’ll be a very long time waiting to find yourself parked next to another one at Waitrose.

The car was delivered new in 1992 to a chap living in Cadogan Square, Belgravia, which is a seriously impressive address.

It then had one other owner before being bought by the vendor in 1999.

We have driven the vehicle and can attest to the fact that, even 31 years after it left the factory, this is still a quick car.

It’s balanced, poised and handles well.

There’s plenty of feedback though the steering wheel and it stops rather better than you might expect of a 1992 car – thanks in no small part to a total rebuild of the brakes in 2022/23.

You’ll notice a faint mechanical ‘wooshing’ sound when you turn the steering wheel.

This is a trait, not a fault, and is down to some idiosyncrasy with the hydraulics.

We’re reliably informed by another Karif owner (yes, we actually know one) that all Karifs do this.

The noise emanating from somewhere inside the leather gear lever gaiter, however, is something you’ll want to rectify.

We don’t think it’s coming from the gearbox itself, but the fact remains that something, somewhere in the mechanism is rattling about.

Maybe the reverse lock-out ring needs tightening or otherwise adjusting.

Maybe not. We don’t know.

The shut lines and gaps are decent (by the standards of 1990s Maseratis), and the panels are pretty straight and largely free of any dinks, dents, creases, ripples or folds to speak of.

The red paint work has plenty of shine and lustre to it in general.

The front bumper section looks to be dropping down a little on both sides and there’s a short crack in it on the nearside.

There’s a scratch or two on the bonnet and a small patch of what looks like touch-up paint.

There’s a deep-ish scratch on the n/s/r wheel arch.

Some paint has rubbed off at the base of the doors where they meet the sill covers.

The wheels look excellent and the tyres are very fresh.

The trim, badging, lights, lenses and other exterior fixtures and fittings are all pretty decent.

The very plush interior has held up fairly well, although there are some signs of wear that point more to the car’s age than its low mileage.

The beige leather and Alcantara upholstery is free of any rips or tears but the Alcantara is looking a little scuffed and fluffy on the seat-back bolsters on the driver’s side.

There is a small stain on one of the passenger seat-back bolsters.

Unsurprising, the seats in the rear look like they’ve seen very little use.

The headlining is excellent, as are the door cards.

So, too, are the wood veneer inserts on the door cappings, dashboard and centre console.

The lid of the storage unit between the front seats is loose and detached.

The glove compartment door doesn’t close flush with its surrounds.

The carpets, which are generally in decent nick, have a couple of loose sections in the front footwells.

We didn’t flick every switch, press every button or twiddle every knob, but those we did flick, press and twiddle appeared to do as they were told – with the exception of the radio.

The splendid Maserati analogue clock is still ticking along nicely.

The engine and engine bay look clean, dry and in the kind of condition you’d hope to find on a car that has yet to advance past 15,000 miles.

The undersides of the car look to have plenty of structural integrity.

The car has been used sparingly, as indicated by its very low mileage of just 14,840 miles.

In 2005 the mileage was 14,188.

In 2001 it was 9,798.

It comes with lots of history and plenty of bills, receipts and invoices covering work done to it over the years.

One of the first things the vendor did a couple of years after buying the car was to leave it in the expert hands of renowned Maserati whisperers McGrath, with instructions to do a full report on it.

He then commissioned them, at predictably wince-inducing expense, to correct any faults and fettle the car into the best possible version of itself.

The car was serviced in 2019, at which time the cam belts were changed and a new fuel pump fitted.

It has barely moved since then.

The wheels were refurbished and new Toyo tyres fitted in 2020.

There’s an invoice for the rebuilt brakes dated January 2023.

The car comes with a selection of handbooks and manuals, a current V5, and a clear HPI check.

RHD Karif owners are very few and far between.

We think this example, with its ultra-low mileage and excellent service and maintenance history, would be a fine way to gain membership of this rather exclusive club.

It’s in strong overall condition and, aside from one two minor cosmetic issues, it’s good to go (fast).

We estimate that this car will sell for £18,000-£23,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.