Overview of the Maserati Ghibli
This 1995 Maserati Ghibli is a left hand drive coupe from the Ghibli II era, chassis code E-MG, powered by the 2,800 cc twin turbo V6 and fitted with a five speed manual gearbox. It is finished in original silver over beige leather and is entered at USS Tokyo as lot 75021 in the imported car prime corner, with an auction grade of 3.5 and an interior grade of C. The odometer on the auction sheet reads 72,189 km, approximately 44,856 miles. The sheet says it was bought directly from a private owner and that the interior and exterior have been prepared.
The Ghibli is one of the last true analogue Maseratis, a hand finished Italian coupe with a turbocharged engine, a wood and leather cabin and a proper manual gearbox. Dealer imported cars like this one are a relatively small group in Japan, and a manual car with sensible mileage is the version enthusiasts look for. The car has honest condition issues, which are set out in full below.
The Drive Review
The Ghibli II drives like nothing built today. Power comes from a 2.8 litre twin turbo V6 that makes roughly 280 horsepower, delivered through the rear wheels. It is a characterful engine rather than a smooth one. There is a little lag low down, then a strong, slightly rowdy surge as both turbos come in, with a hard edged V6 note and a gentle turbo whoosh behind it. The five speed manual gives you direct control of that surge, and it suits the car far better than an automatic.
The chassis is short, rear driven and rewarding. The steering is light and communicative by modern standards, the body rolls a little, and the car invites you to lean on it through a series of bends rather than attack them. Inside, the experience is just as old school: a thin rimmed wood steering wheel, a wooden gear knob, analogue gauges with a speedometer reading to 300 km/h and a Veglia Borletti tachometer, and a burr wood dashboard carrying the Ghibli script. It feels special at any speed, which is exactly why people want one.
This base specification car has no special trim package. Its appeal is the combination of manual gearbox, left hand drive, beige leather and silver paint, which is a classic and understated Ghibli recipe.
Auction Details
The car is lot 75021 at USS Tokyo, on 8 October 2026 Japan time. Auction grade is 3.5, interior grade is C and the exterior is also 3.5 in the feed. The sheet gives an odometer reading of 72,189 km (approximately 44,856 miles). The feed's rounded figure of 73,000 km is superseded by the sheet reading. The car's Japanese registration plate is Shinagawa 302 fu 5205, and its shaken (Japanese roadworthiness inspection) is valid until 12 November 2026. Transfer documents are valid until 17 November, and the recycling deposit is shown as ¥14,550.
The auction start price is not given in the data for this car, and Autoselecta has not set a guide bidding range, so none is stated here. For reference only, one similar car has sold at Japanese auction for around £20,611. That is an auction result, not an Autoselecta sale, and it may be a different version in different condition, so treat it as a loose reference rather than a prediction. Please use the price panel on this page for the current minimum bid and full landed cost estimates.
All bids must be submitted before 9PM UK time the evening before auction. For this car that means by 9pm UK time on Wednesday 7 October.
Vehicle Specifications
Manufacturer: Maserati. Model: Ghibli, base grade, coupe body with five seats listed. Chassis code E-MG, with the frame number shown on the sheet as ZAM336B0000361320. First registration December 1995 (Heisei 7). Engine capacity 2,800 cc, petrol, with a twin turbo V6 as fitted to the Ghibli II. Transmission five speed floor manual, rear wheel drive, listed as 2WD on the sheet. Steering is left hand drive. Exterior colour is silver, shown as the original colour with no colour change, and the factory colour code box is blank. The interior colour box is blank, but the sales points say beige leather and the photographs show a beige and tan cabin. Import type is listed as dealer import.
Factory Features and Equipment
The sheet marks genuine alloy wheels, power steering, power windows and leather seats, and it lists automatic air conditioning. The photographs show the multi spoke alloys, burr wood dashboard and door trim, a wood rimmed steering wheel, a wooden gear knob, an analogue clock in the dash, a cassette style radio head unit, climate control buttons and a central console with window switches. Beige leather and the five speed manual are both called out as sales points.
The owner's manual and spare key are not with the car at the auction. The sheet says they will be sent later, and it queries whether the manual is a Japanese language handbook, so the type of manual is uncertain. The service record book box on the sheet is blank, so a service history is not confirmed. A navigation system and an ETC unit are not mentioned on the sheet and are not visible in the photographs. A spare wheel is shown as a circle on the diagram with no condition code, so its presence and condition are not confirmed beyond that drawing.
Japanese Auction Report Translation
The sheet is headed imported car prime corner and includes the following sales points: car bought directly from a private owner, five speed manual transmission, left hand drive and beige leather. The points to note read that the owner's manual (a Japanese instruction manual, as written with a question mark) and the spare key will be sent later, and that the interior and exterior have been prepared.
The inspector's report is as follows. Centre floor scratches and dents, with the various scratches and dents repaired. Exhaust leak. Headlining sagging. Seats cracked and peeling. Underside rust, painted over. Wheel scratches. Scratches in the body clear coat.
The exhaust leak is the most important mechanical remark and should be inspected and repaired after purchase. The painted over underside rust is a flag in itself. Paint over rust can hide its extent, so an underside inspection on arrival is wise. The sheet does not mention engine noise, gearbox operation, clutch, oil or coolant leaks, warning lights, air conditioning faults or tyre condition, so these are not confirmed either way.
Damage Diagram and Body Condition of this Maserati Ghibli
The diagram shows only light marks. A1 at the front bumper is a small scratch. AU1 on the left side door and AU1 on the right side door are small scratches that have been touched up. The sheet does not make clear whether these are the front or rear door, but as the car is a coupe they are read as the doors. U1 on the right rear quarter panel is a small dent. A1 on the rear bumper is a small scratch. A spare tyre circle is drawn on the diagram with no code. There are no repaint, replaced panel, rust or crack marks on the diagram itself, though the inspector's text separately records scratches in the clear coat and rust on the underside.
The photographs support a straight, clean silver body with consistent panel gaps and good shine, in line with the prepared notation. Overall this is usable enthusiast condition. The bodywork looks tidy, but the underside rust, exhaust leak and interior wear mean it is not a collector grade car and some work should be budgeted.
Interior Condition
Interior grade C reflects wear. The inspector notes cracked and peeling seats, a sagging headlining and scratches and dents on the centre floor that have been repaired. In the photographs the beige leather shows creasing and tonal variation on the seat faces, and the dark carpet and wood trim look presentable. The headlining and floor are not visible in the pictures, so those remarks rest on the sheet alone. The cluster photograph shows a clean, legible set of gauges, a 50°C reading in the digital display and an odometer consistent with the sheet reading. No smoke or odour is noted on the sheet.
Japanese Auction Grades
Grades run from 1 to 5, with 5 being the best, and R for repaired cars. Grade 3.5 means an average used car with some signs of use. Interior grade C reflects noticeable wear. That fits this car, with its cracked seats and headlining sag.
Model History
The Ghibli II was introduced in 1992 as a coupe based on the Biturbo platform, with styling by Marcello Gandini. The chassis code ZAM336 identifies the model. It was built through the mid 1990s and used a twin turbocharged V6, with a 2.0 litre version made mainly for Italy and a 2.8 litre version for other markets. Later cars received a higher output Ghibli Cup version and a suspension update, but this is the standard 2.8 car. The model sits near the end of the Biturbo lineage before Maserati came under Ferrari ownership and moved to new models.
Why This Model Has Become Collectible
The Ghibli II is increasingly rare, with a small production run and a low survival rate, as many were used hard or neglected. It is a hand finished Italian coupe with a turbocharged V6, rear wheel drive, a manual gearbox and an analogue cabin, and collectors are now drawn to Maseratis of this period as they become scarce. Japanese cars are valued for mileage records and careful ownership, and good manual examples are becoming harder to source. The car is eligible for import to the USA as it is over 25 years old. No future value is guaranteed, and this should be bought as a car to enjoy.
What To Look For When Buying This Model
The key risks on a Biturbo derived car are the turbochargers and their oil and coolant lines, cooling system condition, electrical gremlins, leaking exhaust components, tired suspension bushes, interior trim wear and rust. Here, the sheet already confirms an exhaust leak, painted over underside rust, cracked seats and a sagging headlining, so plan on a full inspection, a service and an interior refresh. Ask for evidence of oil changes and turbo condition where available. No service history is confirmed on the sheet.
Why Import This Car From Japan
Japanese cars are usually inspected carefully, and the auction sheet gives an independent record of condition and mileage. For a rare Italian coupe, a left hand drive manual with dry climate storage and recorded mileage is an attractive starting point, and sourcing one outside Japan is increasingly difficult.
USA Import Information
At over 25 years old, this Ghibli is eligible for import to the United States. Autoselecta can arrange shipment from Japan to the United States. Please contact Autoselecta with your city or ZIP code before bidding so a delivered quotation can be prepared. We can calculate the expected purchase price, Japan costs, shipping, customs related costs and delivery requirements. Additional charges may apply, and these will be explained in your quotation.
Ultimate Guide For Japanese Imports
Auction sheets are the heart of buying from Japan: grade, mileage, inspector notes and the damage diagram together give a clear condition picture. Check your own country's import rules for age, emissions and registration before you bid, as these vary widely.
Why Import Through Autoselecta
Autoselecta gives you direct access to Japanese auctions, translated and checked auction sheets, vehicle sourcing and bidding assistance. We handle export, shipping and import support, with vehicle tracking where available, help with arrival and import in your country, USA shipping where relevant and clear communication throughout.
Browse This Week's Japanese Auctions
This Ghibli is one of many cars listed for this week's sales. Browse the current auction listings on Autoselecta to compare other imported Italian and European cars.
Live Auction Search
Use the live auction search to find more Maserati models, similar coupes or other manual classics across Japanese auctions, and contact us if you would like us to watch for a specific car.
Auction Caution
Auction cars are inspected before sale but are still used vehicles. The auction sheet is an independent condition guide, not a mechanical warranty. A car of this age and type may need servicing, maintenance or refurbishment after purchase. Please note in particular the inspector's warnings: an exhaust leak, painted over underside rust, a sagging headlining, cracked and peeling seats, scratched wheels, clear coat scratches and repaired scratches and dents on the centre floor. The owner's manual and spare key are not with the car and are to be sent later, and service history is not confirmed.
