RESERVE LOWERED: 2006 MASERATI GRANSPORT MC VICTORY

This 2006 Maserati GranSport MC Victory is an exceptionally rare special-edition road car inspired by the marque's MC12 racer. It is powered by a 395bhp 4.2-litre aluminium V8 engine, and driven through a six-speed Cambiocorsa automated-manual transmission with paddle shifters. The car has covered just 24,700 miles from new.

Built to honour the Maserati MC12's outright success in the 2005 FIA GT championship, the GranSport MC Victory was limited to 180 units worldwide. This US-delivered car is number 16 of the total production run. First registered in November 2006, this car has just three previous keepers and has been owned by the vendor for the last three years, who has covered around 4,000 miles on the road.

The dry-sump F136 RB engine built by Ferrari is capable of propelling the Maserati from 0-100km/h in just 4.8 seconds, and on to a top speed of 290km/h (180mph). The Skyhook adaptive suspension system is also installed. Most significantly, the MC Victory featured a brand-new steering rack that improved upon the standard GranSport model, delivering more direct and precise steering, and greater stability at high speeds.

The specification includes deeply-sculpted side skirts, a carbon-fibre front splitter and boot lid spoiler, and ‘Tricolore’ flag badges recessed in the front wings. Its cabin is upholstered in a mix of leather and Alcantara, along with extensive use of blue-flecked carbon-fibre trim throughout. The carbon-fibre racing seats are exactly the same design as those fitted to the Maserati MC12.

This car’s Nero Carbonio paintwork is in superb order, with a smooth and glossy appearance around the body. The only note from the vendor is a small bubble under the paint below the nearside rear light cluster - a very common issue with this model, which is due to a drainage design flaw, and is straightforward for a bodyshop to repair. The 19-inch alloy wheels are in pristine condition, as are all of the wheel bolts. There are very minor scuffs underneath the carbon-fibre front splitter, but the vendor has had paint protection film applied to it, so the rest of the finish remains unmarked.

In the cabin, the leather and Alcantara upholstery is in excellent condition, with only light wear on the driver’s side bolster and minor scuffs on the right-hand side of the steering wheel leather. The two rear seats appear to have had very little use. The blue-threaded carbon-fibre trim is in excellent condition, with a smooth and glossy appearance. 

Factory-fitted equipment includes push-button start, rear parking sensors, xenon headlights, red brake calipers and a Becker stereo system. New speakers have been installed in recent years. The vendor reports that the climate control switches had stopped working a few hundred miles ago, but that they have functioned correctly during the most recent drives, so it may just be an intermittent connection fault.

The engine bay is in great condition, dominated by the striking intake manifold, and complemented by the bright red crackle-finish cam covers. It was last serviced in October 2019 at Universal Autosports in Glen Cove, NY, which comprised of an annual inspection and engine oil renewal.

Within the last few years, the oil line to the F1 gear shift unit has been renewed, along with the fluid for the unit, as well as the brake fluid and coolant. The oil pressure sensor unit has also been replaced, along with new rocker cover gaskets. The latest report indicates that the clutch has approximately 20% wear (80% remaining).

The wheels are shod in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres in size 235/35 ZR19 at the front and size 265/30 ZR19 at the rear. The front tyres are date-coded to late 2017, but were fitted as new items last year, while the rears are dated to late 2014. All have plenty of tread, with the vendor estimating virtually as-new tread at the front and around 90% remaining at the rear.

The car is accompanied by the original dark blue leather pouch containing all of the original handbooks, code cards, the two blue-fob keys and one valet key.

This Maserati GranSport MC Victory is an exotic V8 that offers a hugely desirable blend of race-inspired sports car and practical grand tourer. As one of just 180 examples worldwide, it is a remarkably rare and collectable car, which is presented in outstanding cosmetic and mechanical condition.