Ivan Ruiz has been restoring and collecting Italian and British cars for over 40 years. In this time, he has owned close to 100 Maseratis, including examples of most every model. He operates www.thecarnut.com, which offers free downloads of vintage Maserati sales brochures, owner’s manuals and parts manuals.
Watch this interview with Ivan on Through the Gears on YouTube. You’ll also find Ivan on Classiche Masters, and My Car Quest. Read about his Maserati Mexico “Best of Show” winner here.
Articles in Sports Car Market
Here are the latest articles from Ivan:
1977 Maserati Khamsin – Completed in 1977, this remarkable Maserati Khamsin, chassis number AM120US1142, left the factory in Giallo Fly (Fly Yellow) over Nero (black) upholstery, with the desirable 5-speed ZF manual transmission. Said to be one of only seven U.S.-delivery examples built in this livery, it was consigned new to Maserati Automobiles California Inc. Soon after its U.S.… Read more
1969 DeTomaso Mangusta – This DeTomaso Mangusta was delivered new in May 1969 to Ing. Gustavo Díaz Ordaz Bolaños, Presidente de la Republica Mexicana, for $8,891 (copy of purchase invoice on file). Of the 401 Mangustas produced, most had the less-powerful, 271-horsepower, 302-ci Ford V8 engine, while comparatively few had the superior 289-ci version with 306 hp, like this… Read more
1968 Serenissima GT – In addition to competing with cars built by other manufacturers, Count Giovanni Volpi sought to make his own automobiles, and the result was a small number of racing and road cars bearing the Serenissima name. This machine, the Serenissima GT, was the last of these and created in concert with Count Volpi’s friend Alejandro DeTomaso,… Read more
1970 Iso Grifo Series I Targa – This 1970 Iso Grifo is one of approximately 14 targa examples built during four years of Series I production. It was completed on May 21, 1970, before being delivered new in Germany. Chassis 314 was purchased in 1978 by its previous owner, who commissioned a repaint in the current shade of dark blue metallic and… Read more
1961 Maserati 5000 GT Indianapolis Coupe by Allemano – This 1961 Maserati 5000 GT is one of 34 examples built between 1959 and 1966 and is the first among 22 coupes constructed with Carrozzeria Allemano bodywork penned by Giovanni Michelotti. Named the Indianapolis as a nod to Maserati’s Indy 500 legacy, chassis 103014 was completed in September 1961 before being showcased in the factory… Read more
1958 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder by Frua – Ahead of Maserati’s official unveiling of the 3500 GT, the Italian manufacturer instructed a small cluster of trusted carrozzeria to design bodywork to clothe the newly designed rolling chassis. Five unbodied chassis were sent to the Turin-based coachbuilder Pietro Frua, who returned with completed cars with his usual exuberance and attention to detail. Of these,… Read more
1966 Maserati Mistral Coupe – Last of the classic 6-cylinder Maseratis, the Pietro Frua-styled Mistral commenced production in 1963. The 3.7-liter version of the famous long-stroke engine was fitted to most cars, other options being the 3.5-liter or, from 1966, the 4.0-liter unit, all of which came with Lucas fuel injection. A handsome 2-seater on a shortened, square-tube chassis, the… Read more