Just curious, I think they are kinda cool, and I feel bad when i see one in the junkyard because they are so rare, especially when it looks like someone bought it for the engine and scrapped it. I just wondered if anyone here has had one and what they thought of it, i would imagine it to be kinda like a older jaguar or mercedes, but faster.
... and considerably more expensive to run. But cool 
.
Of course now I have to check CL around here just in case.
The big brother of the Biturbo from the same era.
I think I know enough...
Different engine though, right? IIRC the Quattroporte has a V8.
Same engine family as the Indy, Ghibli, Bora. Thirsty, supposedly devastatingly expensive to rebuild. Better built that biturbos - but looks took precedence over long-term reliability. I think there was a quote from DeTomaso around the time of the biturbo - went something like "who cares if the windows only go up 500 times instead of 2000 if it's beautiful."
Hmm, thats really saying something if no one here has even had one. They arent that expensive to buy (I have seen a running one for $5k, and a number of them for $8k-$10K), but I imagine parts are pretty ridiculous. From what i remember a few people here have had biturbos and citroen SMs, so owining a QPIII wouldnt be that far of a stretch.
oldtin wrote: but looks took precedence over long-term reliability. I think there was a quote from DeTomaso around the time of the biturbo - went something like "who cares if the windows only go up 500 times instead of 2000 if it's beautiful."
Isn't that every Italian car ever built?
Nah, some of them are both ugly and unreliable.
I dont think the OPIII is a terribly good looking car, it does have a really nice interior though. But yeah, going from an Alfa to a mercedes was a huge change in build quality. lol
Travis_K wrote: Hmm, thats really saying something if no one here has even had one. They arent that expensive to buy (I have seen a running one for $5k, and a number of them for $8k-$10K), but I imagine parts are pretty ridiculous. From what i remember a few people here have had biturbos and citroen SMs, so owining a QPIII wouldnt be that far of a stretch.
It also says something when no one has said "Just add LSx". 
carzan wrote:Travis_K wrote: Hmm, thats really saying something if no one here has even had one. They arent that expensive to buy (I have seen a running one for $5k, and a number of them for $8k-$10K), but I imagine parts are pretty ridiculous. From what i remember a few people here have had biturbos and citroen SMs, so owining a QPIII wouldnt be that far of a stretch.It also says something when no one has said "Just add LSx".
You'd think it would be more common than it is. I guess it's a testament to what an overall nightmare the cars are. I mean, it's a handsome car, for sure and an LSx would turn it into a really nice highway stormer.
There used to be a dude in my neighborhood who had a QPIII--I don't know if he still does. I saw it peeking out of his garage years ago. Never made a point to talk to him about it.
There used to be a very sad example parked behind a local pawn shop. I often pondered what it would cost to save it and wisely (I think) never inquired as to what they would kind of price they wanted for it.
The engine is kinda the whole point of having one I think, with a different engine it's just a funny looking jaguar with nice seats. It's amazing how many of them are in such bad shape with how few were made. I would be surprised if even half of them were left.
When I was in school in Miami there was for sale in front of a shop on US-1 as you passed through Coconut Grove. It was for sale for at least 2 years, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it still sitting there. It was priced just far enough out of my price range that I didn't make an offer. Pretty cars, but I doubt they're worth the grey hair or the financial woes.
LSX with a set of rear-mount twins....you be good to go!
carzan wrote: It also says something when no one has said "Just add LSx".
oops
I still want to do a biturbo with a vq35 under that sharp edged hood
When I see this kind of car tje first thought in my mind is "Aftermarket EFI". That alone would cure most of its problems.
Ha! And people think the Biturbo is unreliable and expensive to maintain.
Go for it!
m4ff3w wrote: Ha! And people think the Biturbo is unreliable and expensive to maintain.
I plan on it eventually, I want a QP3 and a citroen sm, maybe a biturbo also but I am kinda tall to fit in one comfortably. Of course, the idea that I would spend enough time driving any of those cars enough to care about interior room is a bit optimistic, but I have sat in all 3 (the SM was even sorta driveable, it just didnt really have brakes, or 1st and 2nd gear) and the QP3 is the most comfortable by far.
Hi Travis_K, I own a 1979 4Porte 4.9 Euro version. It’s freakin fast for such a big old car. And it stops really well also. Although I never make a habit of beating on this awesome ride you sometimes just can’t help it. She’s a five speed stick and runs great. Only 75K km (47K miles) and starts right up even in freezing weather. (when the start relay feels like cooperating). ;-) You pull that choke out, foot OFF the gas, tap that key and vroom! The electric can be a pain. Problems are usually a matter of unplugging, cleaning contacts and re plugging. It was previously owned by a mayor in Italy. There are no signs of rust or body work. The paint is crackled but that gives it character. It’s all original. I’m glad I found it! Tony
Nice :). How many 5 speeds did they make? Wasn't it only like 5 of them? I do plan to own one eventually, the only ones I have seen were in the junkyard with the engine missing, one had caught on fire, the other was probably purchased as an engine donor and scrapped because it was otherwise complete and in good shape.
Would love to see some photos of yours, Tony. Weird, old, Euro saloons are a favourite of mine.
Nice first post Tony, welcome to the board.
Travis, I want to see your bucket list; you ask about some off the wall stuff. My wants concur, I'm off to look at a BiTurbo again today.
Merry Christmas eve all!
Travis_K wrote: Nice :). How many 5 speeds did they make? Wasn't it only like 5 of them? I do plan to own one eventually, the only ones I have seen were in the junkyard with the engine missing, one had caught on fire, the other was probably purchased as an engine donor and scrapped because it was otherwise complete and in good shape.
Thanks! I'm not sure how many 5 speeds were made but I'm sure its way more than 5. If you do find one that you're thinking about buying don't get a fixer-upper. You'll go broke. Its strange how cheap the whole car is but when you price out parts its crazy expensive.
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