The Evolution Of Tipo 107

How many prototypes does it take until a car is ready for serial-production and to be sold to customers? Hundreds? To develop the Quattroporte, the fastest saloon of its time, it‘s taken Maserati only two prototypes. The car stayed in production for 5 years until 1969 (in 1963 only the two prototypes were built), and the only major change was the replacement of the De Dion suspension by a live rear axle – this shows how good Ing. Alfieri‘s concept and engineering were. Maserati could have kept the De Dion suspension, but they claimed it generated too much noise on certain surfaces. Ermanno Cozza describes in his book „Con La Maserati Nel Cuore“ that in summer 1964 (Cozza was preparing the manual and parts lists for the Quattroporte), they were told by the first Quattroporte client in Switzerland (via Swiss importer Sonvico) that the car was very loud on cobblestones (other sources claim it was a Belgian customer complaining, but Cozza’s story is more likely). In one of their prototypes (004), the rear suspension of a 3500 GT was installed, and it worked: the car was remarkably more silent. But only in summer 1966, with the second series, they abandoned the De Dion suspension in favour of the Salisbury unit. Which also had the advantage of being cheaper. Maserati tried to save money elsewhere, so was the door trim changed from real leather to simili with the 2nd series, but certainly the wooden dashboard and door cappimngs added to the cost of the car. Most changes during the five-year lifespan of the Tipo 107 were just minor details, some of which due to cost savings or due to suppliers running out of spares or running out of business. And if you think you can tell 1st series and 2nd series apart by the different headlights, you‘re wrong. You could order double US headlights also for a 1st series car, also in Europe. And, despite popular meaning, not all 2nd series cars were 4.7 litres. In fact, the 4.7 was officially only available from autumn 1968 (presented at Earls Court in October 1968), while the second series as such was presented to the press as early as summer 1966. From Autumn 1968, one can also talk of a third series or a Series 21/2: different carburettors, and some minor changes, including new boot opening mechanism, different ashtrays in the console at the back, chrome strips on door caps, omission of map pocket at the back of the front seats.

Model by Frua, plaster (1:8)

Prototype 1, as it looked when used for road testing, camouflaged as english saloon

Prototype 1. Note door handles, side badge, 20 perforation-wheel rims. But no chrome flabs (jack holder covers) at bottom

Prototype 1

Prototype 1. April 1963

Prototype 1. Different wheel style (like Sebring)

Prototype 1. Reflectors integrated in rear lights

Prototype 1. Different number plate lighting

Prototype 1, door handles from the 1961 introduced Fiat 1300/1500

Prototype's door handles also on 1963 5000 GT Frua

Prototype door handles also used on Hino, built from 1964

Prototype 1/2: 20 perfo rims and flat door handles but chrome flaps

Prototype 2. Note chromed rearview mirror

Prototype 2.

Prototype 2: Creazione P. Frua badge

Creazione P. Frua badge

Creazione P. Frua badge, 2nd version

Wheel of 2nd prototype, same as prototype 1

Doorhandle of #002 (Geneva 1964)

Prototype 2. Doorhandles, pressure knob at the back, on production model underneath

For comparison: This is the door handle of production model

Chromed rear view mirror of 2nd prototype

Bar for passengers, 2nd prototype

Prototype 2. Steering wheel with visible rivets

Prototype 2. Note rims, door handles, chrome jack holder covers

Prototype 2: chrome jack holder covers

Prototype had same jack holder covers as Tipo 103 (shown here, Alemanno body)

Torino, November 1963. First public appearance (#002)

Geneva, March 1964. Most probably same car, but with a repaint and some changes in detail

Torino 1963. Note red logo. Wheel rims with 9 holes. Badge on fender

Most probably same car as before, #002, here in Geneva 1964. No Frua badge.

Early production car. No more side badge, no chrome flaps

Early production car, factory demonstrator

1st series, factory demonstrator

1st series, factory demonstrator. Rearview mirror now black

1st series, factory demonstrator, straight exhaust pipes

1st series, rear panel cut, original (factory car)

Rear lamps first used on Frua's 5000GT

Trident on #002 prototype, Torino 1963

Trident on #002 prototype, Geneva 1964, slimmer

Trident on production car

Prototype grille

Grille on production car

1st series headlamps. Double headlamps for USA also in 1st series (according to catalogue)

1964 catalogue picture of double headlights heavily retouched, not showing the real thing

Auto Italia, February 2002: the headlights changed from the single rectangular unit of the first series to a more modern twin arrangement. More modern?

The Citroen Ami 6. That‘s where the rectangular Cibié headlights came from, the world‘s first rectangular ones, with a 25% increase of efficiency over traditional round ones. If that‘s not modern, what is?

Round headlamps were a technological step backwards, due to dated US legislation. Headlamps are not a sure identification for the different series, you could order twin headlamps for 1st series cars!

1st series, engine as shown in Torino 1963, #001

Front suspension, Jaguar style

1st series, engine as shown in Torino 1963, #001

1st series layout, De Dion, inboard disc brakes.

Chassis structure

1st series De Dion rear suspension, inboard brakes

Inboard disc brakes, seen from inside (behind rear bench)

Inboard disc brakes, seen from outside

1st series interior, factory prototype

2nd factory prototype. Different treatment of seat bench from production car.

For comparison: production seat bench

1st series, prototype. Speedometer in the centre (Turin show car, #002), door latch by Mercedes already in place

Door latch courtesy of Mercedes Benz (shown here in a 1962 ad in L‘automobile, referring to the safety of its double notch door latch)

Mercedes system as used on Quattroporte (by the same supplier)

#002 or #004

1st series, prototype. Speedometer in the centre (Turin show car, #002)

Note central speedo

1st series, probably #002 as well, shown here in Geneva 1964. Note different ventilation opening (chromed) and different colour of console/carpeting

#002 in Torino 1963. Note Quattroporte script on glove box lid, spherical ventilation opening

#002 in Geneva 1964. Note chromed ventilation inlets, no script on lid

Interior of first production car, #014

Very early production car with prototype interior (#014)

1st series production interior (loudspeaker driver‘s side non original), ventilation control back to Torino 1963

1st series interior, right hand drive with A/C

1st series interior, right hand drive, without A/C

Key of #002, as exhibited in Geneva. Note script on key! Branding wasn‘t such an issue in those days... (yes, it does say FIAT!)

1st series, early layout, key on left hand side. Change to rh occured at around the 125th car produced (chassis number 250 is the first rh key in the registry) most cars with chassis numbers higher than 300 have the key on the right

1st series, later layout, key on right hand side. Last chassis number with key on the left in the registry is 298, all following cars have the key on the right hand side, mostly produced from early 1965.

1st series, different wiper switch base, not standard

1st series, gearlever of prototype

# 002 (shown in Geneva 1964) note tassel

1st series, gearlever knob type 1 (usually older)

1st series, gearlever knob type 2 (as on 2nd series)

1st series, automatic gear lever

1st series bakelite steering wheel, «Personal», (like 3500 GT)

1st series, steering wheel, type A

1st series wheel, type A1, small logo (original?)

1st series steering wheel, type B

1st series steering wheel, type C, «Hellebore»

1st series steering wheel, type D, Nardi, seen on several cars, so most probably original

1st series wheel, type E, «Hellebore», red logo

Exactly same Helleboro wheel was also available for Fiats as an extra

1st series, instrument layout

1st series, regular ventilation

1st series, optional air condition, not chromed, probably because it has lost its chrome, we think all have been chromed plastic

1st series, optional air condition, chromed

Freshly restored chrome of A/C

1st series, optional air condition, chromed (period photograph)

1st series, restored and true to original (#466)

1st series, optional chromed air condition installed upside down. At the factory? On a Monday? (Or Friday afternoon)?

1st series, optional air condition, not chromed, different version or (badly) restored?

1st series, Smiths clock, RHD

Earliest clima control panel (#014), note coloured indicators as for later cars. Indicators not found on prototype

1st series, switch gear, Maserati lettering on no a/c cars. same coloured indicators as on #014

1st series glove box lid with Trident and Quattroporte lettering

2nd series, prototype with 1st series Quattroporte lettering on glove box lid, later dismissed

1st series door handle

1st series Sebring hubcap, only on chassis shown in Torino 1963

#002, Geneva 1964

1st series, regular wheels Borrani Record 6.00 x 15, non chrome, correct tires would be Pirelli Cinturato 205 VR 15

1st series, regular wheels, note Borrani sticker (Borrani Record, alloy rim, silver painted steel center section, never chromed)

1st series, optional wire wheels, 72 spokes

1st series rear bumper. Closer to body, shape more angular. Made of stainless steel (?)

2nd series rear bumper. Spread away from body, more rounded shape. Chromed steel

Prototype, Turin show car. Front- and rear door trim different from serial production cars

1st series front door trim. Upper part panel sheet in colour of body work

Front door trim, 1st series, real leather (simili on 2nd series)

Rear door trim, 1st series. Opening quarter lights

1st series, rear quarter light opener. Opening quarter lights at the rear omitted on series II cars

Rear door trim, 1st series

1st series front seat

1st series rear seat

1st series headlining, similar to 2nd series

#002, Geneva 1964, different treatment of ashtray and cigar lighter than on production cars

1st series, ashtray front

1st series ashtray at the rear, early type, not illuminated

1st series ashtray at the rear, later type, illuminated

1st series, map pocket behind front seat

First series boot lid, very early (here body nbr 11, also on body 83)) no strengtheners, some in aluminium

Later series one, X-formed strengtheners, as on series II

2nd series, one of the first produced, factory demonstrator, cover of Italian Motor magazine in July 1966

2nd series: optional US double headlights now standard

#002, Geneva 1964. Cibie „85“ Fog lamp, with design ornament in the upper middle part. Seems like early Cibié parts had this feature.

Early Cibié „85“. Always an after market product, hasn‘t been mounted on any car in serial production, which makes it rarer

Cibié „85“ 1956, with ornament

Cibié „85“ without ornament, later. The Cibié „85“ was produced from 1954 or 1955 until 1963/4. Maserati must have procured enough of them for their 750 run of cars

1st series mudguard smaller than 2nd series and 1st series with factory double headlamps

2nd series. Mudguard of 2nd series car is approx. 3 cms wider than series 1, and about 2 cms higher (at the front). Change from double headlights to single and vice versa is therefore not straightforward

First series is clearly slimmer by approx. 3 cms.

2nd series, curved exhaust pipes, cuts now in rear panel at extremes, not nearer the centre

2nd series, curved exhaust pipes, cut at extreme, not nearer centre

2nd series exhaust pipe, cut in rear panel

2nd series, exhaust pipes, white demonstrator

1st and 2nd series: boot opens from outside

2nd series, later cars (2000-series): boot opens from inside

2nd series, later cars (2000-series), lever to operate bootlid, LHD

2nd series, later cars (2000-series), lever to operate bootlid, RHD

2nd series live rear axle, by Salisbury

2nd series live rear axle by Salisbury

2nd series live rear axle by Salisbury. Not much different to anything you‘d find under a Land Rover

2nd series interior, factory photograph

2nd series interior (white factory demonstrator), dashboard is said to be designed by Giugiaro (working at the time on the Ghibli)

2nd series dashboard, very early or prototype (no warning lights on left lower part)

Some very early 2nd series dashboard probably had black plastic in pinnacle, like 1st series cars (this is 1008)

2nd series dashboard, standard with 4 warning lights

2nd series, RHD. Original RHD vehicles have indicator stalk on right hand side

Very early series 2 car (1006), different middle console treatment

2nd series steering wheel, type B, early car (white factory demo)

2nd series steering wheel, type C, Hellebore, small logo version (like on 1st series)

2nd series steering wheel, type C, Hellebore, small logo version

2nd series steering wheel, type C, Hellebore, version with bigger logo

2nd series steering wheel, type E, Hellebore, but with larger sign in a wooden ring

2nd series steering wheel, type E, Hellebore, original factory replacement part (wheel centre is different)

2nd series steering wheel, type F, as used on early Ghibli

2nd series air condition outlet

2nd series, Smiths clock

2nd series, Jaeger clock

2nd series, Veglia clock (late)

A/C switch on late cars

Switch for heated rear screen (the left one, the little fire) (option)

Regular switches (no heated rear screen)

2nd series automatic gear lever

2nd series gear lever, bag very low, as on this factory photo

2nd series gear lever. Chrome bezel.

2nd series gear lever, as on 1st series (#1342)

Gear lever, on some late cars of 2000 series

2nd series, rear bench

2nd series rear seat (white demonstrator/Quattroruote test), with folded down armrest

2nd series front door trim, now simili (real leather on 1st series)

Quarter light opener, front. As used on mass produced cars, e.g. Alfa Romeo Giulia Berlina, Fiat 2300 S

2nd series left rear door trim, quarter lights don‘t open, to save cost

2nd series, right rear door trim, quarter lights don‘t open

1st series, opening rear quarter lights

2nd series, rear quarter lights not opening (cheaper to produce)

Late 2nd series interior (Geneva Show car of 1969) Note chrome strip on door capping on later cars (2000-series)

Later cars (2000-series) door capping with chrome strip insert

2nd series, back of seats, chrome covers for optional headrests

2nd series, optional headrests (original?)

2nd series, door handle

2nd series, front footwell, passenger side

2nd series, ashtray in rear door (origin: BMW Neue Klasse)

2nd series, ashtray on later models (2000-series), simili cover divided 1:3

2nd series, loudspeaker front

2nd series, rear loudspeaker (optional)

2nd series, rear loudspeaker, with protective aluminium stripes

2nd series headlining with bulge (no bulge on 1st series)

2nd series, rear ashtray and lighter, earlier style

Later cars (2000-series), rear lighter (ashtray omitted)

Later cars (2000-series) rear lighter (ashtray omitted)

Later cars (2000-series), rear lighter (ashtray omitted)

2nd series (2000-series), rear lighter (ashtray omitted). Lighter not original (too long)

2nd series, map pocket at back of front seats

2nd series later cars (2000-series), map pocket omitted

Late second series, optional rear screen heating

2nd series wheel, non chrome. Not all 2nd series were chromed

2nd series, chrome wheel

Borrani sticker on chrome wheel

2nd series, optional wire wheels, as on 1st series

2nd series. Late style magnesium wheel, Ghibli style, knock off Campagnolo, option

Maserati 4700 script on late 4.7 litre cars (like on some 4700 Mexicos)

2nd series, engine bay, white demonstrator /Quattroruote test. Shown from left hand side

2nd series, engine bay, factory picture 1967

2nd series, air box taken off, Road & Track test car. Shown from right hand side

2nd series late style engine, no 2nd ignition hole. This is a 4.2. Shown from left hand side

2nd series late style engine, no 2nd ignition hole. This is a 4.2. Shown from right hand side

Power assisted steering by ZF (here on 2nd series car, rarely on 1st series)

Steering