It was originally delivered through Grossman Motor Corp, Nyack, New York in 1971.
There appear to be two cars claiming this same chassis number
The green Artcurial car was pulled from auction under unclear circumstances….

It was offered at Artcurial at Retromobile 6th Feb 2015

Here’s a story about the fake 1241. Please note that the real car chassis AM115.S.49.1241 does exist and is not under any doubt .

Adam Levine sues classic car dealer, alleging his 1971 Maserati isn’t the real deal

Singer Adam Levine says his 1971 Maserati is not the 1971 Maserati he thought he was getting when he traded two classic Ferraris for it in late 2020. Now he is suing to undo the $950,000 deal — or get paid enough damages to make it right.
The lawsuit, filed Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California by the Adam Levine Living Trust, alleges that classic car dealer Rick Cole or his agents faked documentation and chassis and engine authentication marks on what was represented as one of only 25 or so 1971 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 Liter Spyders ever manufactured.
“Cole purported to have found an authentic Maserati Ghibli 4.9 Liter Spyder that he described as being ‘as good’ as an authentic Maserati Ghibli 4.9 Liter Spyder with a clear and indisputable identity that a representative of the Trust had seen and drove in Monterey a year or so earlier, and which was valued at over $1 million,” the lawsuit says.

The Maserati, referred to as “the 1241,” was represented by Cole as having the vehicle identification number AM115.492.1241, the lawsuit says. Also mentioned is “the Real 1241,” the actual car given that VIN, which according to the lawsuit was actually sold several years ago to British luxury car collector Clive Joy and “has been in Switzerland ever since as part of Clive Joy’s collection, under the care of legendary race car driver Christian Trabe.”
Levine, a.k.a. “the Trust,” is “not in the classic car business at all,” the document says, and trusted Cole when he said the car was authentic, only to find out later that the 1241 was pulled from auction in 2015 after questions arose about its provenance.
Further, the lawsuit alleges that numbers stamped on the chassis and engine showed evidence that they were after-market additions to the car. Fonts and styles of imprints were not what was used by Maserati at the time those vehicles were made, the document asserts.

“Someone tried to make the Vehicle appear authentic by reproducing or stamping a new chassis plate to make the writing seem more like that used by Maserati at the time, in an obvious attempt to convince a potential buyer that the Vehicle was the #1241,” the document says. “Upon information and belief, it was Cole and/or his agents who made these changes.”
Also, the lawsuit says, Cole presented documentation signed by Maserati expert Fabio Collina as to the authenticity of the car. However, that paperwork was apparently for the Real 1241, not the car that was traded.
Cole allegedly repeatedly discouraged the Levine trust from selling the car, the lawsuit says, because he “obviously feared that if the Trust marketed the Vehicle, it would eventually learn the truth concerning its lack of authenticity and corresponding decrease in market value.”
“The identity of the Vehicle is, at the very least, in serious doubt,” the lawsuit says. “It is not the Real #1241. It may be an original Ghibli Spyder in which … someone got a hold of the engine and then stamped the Vehicle to try to match the engine. Or, it could just be a converted Ghibli Coupe, in which the original chassis plate was removed and replaced with plate number AM11549S*1241* in an attempt to make the Vehicle more attractive.
“But either way, the Vehicle is not authentic, has no identity and/or has a very questionable identity, which seriously undermines its value.”
Attorneys for former “The Voice” coach Levine did not immediately reply Wednesday to a request for comment.

Jan. 30, 2023

This car was purchased new by Randolph John Townsend of Incline Village, Nevada on November 2, 1971. The car was then sold to Erwin Ferer in the 1970?s who owned the car for 14 years. It was then sold to Francis G. Mandarano of Seattle, Washington in the 1980?s. Mr. Mandarano then sold the car in 1987 to Marv Tonkin of LaJolla, California. In 1996 the car was restored and painted yellow. 2000 ? 2007 the car was owned by Paul Hallingby of Connecticut. The car was then owned by Alan Ritchie of Florida in 2008, who sold the car to Don Williams in Danville, California. He sold the car in 2009

This Ghibli 4.9 SS Spyder was ordered on February 1st of 1971 by Mario Tozzi-Condivi of MTC Cars Ltd. on behalf of William Benjamin. The majority of the 125 Ghibli Spyders were exported to the United States, this example, however, was a European-specification example which was sent to Mr. Benjamin’s villa in Antibes, France.
The Spyder came witted with several ‘extras’ including the dashboard and transmission tunnel covered in Connolly leather, an air-conditioning system, power steering, a manual gearbox, a Becker radio with electric antenna, twin speakers, overtaking lights in the front grille, Borrani wire wheels, a hardtop and fitted luggage. It was also fitted in Verde Gemma over a Senape interior. The final build invoice totaled $16,590 and, when delivered, the car cost an astounding $17,792.
On May 12, 1971, Maserati issued the Certificate of Origin. Six days later, Mr. Benjamin traveled to Modena and collected his $17,000 Maserati. The following month, Mr. Benjamin wrote to the factory complaining of various faults with his new car A factory driver picked the car up in Antibes and returned it to Modena where it received the requested work, some of which was not covered by the guarantee and therefore invoiced directly to Mr. Benjamin.
Mr. Benjamin is known to have owned the car for just a few years. Around 1978, Sander Van der Velden in Tilburg, Netherlands, purchased the car from a Porsche dealer in nearby Eindhoven. A short time later, the car was sent back to Italy where it was repainted in burgundy and partially re-trimmed. After refurbishment, the 4.9 SS Spyder was shown at the Zandvoort Concours d’Elegance where it won an award.

In 1983, the car was sold to F.W. Overlander in West Germany. It remained there for a few years until being sold to Swiss collector Wolfgang von Schmieder of Blonay and later Cologny, Switzerland. A record from Herr von Schmieder’s ownership dated June 6, 1987, noted mileage at just 80,168 km, slightly less than 50,000 miles.
In March of 2001, the von Schmieder collection was sold and purchased by another Swiss buyer in Geneva. The Ghibli was brought to storage in Bern where it saw little or no use.
Two years later, the Ghibli was bought by Ian F. Wade of Hong Kong, although the car remained in storage in Bern. The car was sold three years later to Simon Kidston of Geneva. While in Mr. Kidston’s care, the car received a complete, eight month restoration. Upon completion, the car was shown at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2007 and then participated in the Ecosse Tour through Scotland.
In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was estimated to sell for $700,000 – $900,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $880,000 inclusive of buyer’s premium.

Was for sale 2011 after suffering a fire years before. “My name is Andrew Howarth and I am the owner of the Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS Spyder Chassis AM115S491267, the car referred to a couple of times in this thread.

Unfortunately, the car is now the subject of legal case after the car was effectively ‘smuggled’ out of the UK (along with 4.7 Coupe AM1151556) and shipped to the US where I bought it from in 2008. This happened in August 2012. I had fully intended to restore the vehicle, however, other projects got in the way and I put it up for sale.

Whilst the litigation rumbles on and I await the return of my cars I would ask all of you members in the States to just be careful should you be offered either car,

Andrew Howarth”

“This Ghibli Spider SS VIN AM115.S.49.1267 is now in Auto Storica a Premium Restoration Center in Barcelona. This car never belonged to Andrew Howarth, he just tried to sale it.”

You decide who is telling the truth!

According to factory records supplied by Maserati historian Dr. Adolfo Orsi Jr., this 4.9 SS Spider, chassis 1273, was originally finished in the elegant period color scheme of Oro Longchamps (Longchamps Gold) with Marrone (Brown) Connolly leather upholstery. Manufactured for sale in the US market, this Ghibli was originally equipped with a ZF five-speed manual gearbox, Campagnolo cast alloy wheels, Pirelli tires, a Blaupunkt AM/FM radio, and Veglia instruments calibrated in miles per hour.
The manufacturer’s certificate of origin was issued on December 7, 1971, and, in January 1972, the Ghibli Spider was shipped by boat to the US and then delivered to Grossman Motor Car Corporation, the official Maserati dealer located in West Nyack, New York.
On April 28, 1972, the 4.9 SS was delivered to its first private owner, Irene Young of Westport, Connecticut. Although factory records document service work carried out by Grossman through fall 1972, little else is known about the car’s earliest history. In 1987, Florida-based exotic car dealer Ed Waterman acquired the gold Ghibli Spider, then showing about 54,000 miles, in a package of cars sourced by Bruce Haley of New Jersey. The Maserati was then sold to Midvo Leasing Inc. of Worthington, Ohio, and remained in the US through the early 1990s.
By spring 1993, the Ghibli Spider had been sold to Swedish Maserati importer Ulf Sundberg and in 1999 it was shown at the Maserati Classic International at Goodwood. Soon after, the Ghibli was sold to Lennart Liden of Vence, France, who entrusted the car to Maserati specialist Candini in Modena, for servicing in fall 2005. More recently, the Ghibli Spider returned to the US and was owned by Jacques Pozzo di Borgo, the owner of Maseratisource and MIE Corporation, two of the foremost Maserati parts specialists.
Today, the Ghibli Spider is finished in a handsome triple black color scheme, although the older cosmetic restoration is beginning to show its age. As such, this Maserati could be driven and enjoyed in its current condition for a few years, then restored to its glamorous original color scheme and debuted on the concours circuit. Included with the sale of this 4.9 SS is a report prepared by Maserati historian Dr. Adolfo Orsi Jr., which includes a chronological history and copies of important factory documents including the build sheets, certificate of origin, sales invoice, as well as early shipping and service records.

For Sale at Auction here

Update July 2024 “After purchase at the Gooding 2020 Amelia Island auction this car was the subject of a complete frame off restoration prior to its sale to the current owner. It will be debuted at Pebble Beach in 2024 in its original (as she left the factory) interior and exterior colours.”
Coming up for auction here

Built in Oct 1971 and originally delivered with Auto-gearbox and Hardtop in colors rame / senape to Bob Grossman NY,
1st registration in April 1972 its US-provenance before Nov. 1987 is entirely unknown.
Today this magnificent Spyder has black exterior colour. The owner would be glad to receive any information about
previous ownerships in the US between 1972 and 1987.
E-Mail contact: sekretariat@deutschermaseraticlub.de

Photo taken 2004

Sold 2013. Spider conversion

EBay 2011
Serial number: AM115/1526 38,964 miles, Celeste Chiaro (sky blue) with original black leather 4.9 liter, 5-speed, A/C, power steering, power windows, and Borrani wire wheels – original The paint was redone along with the wire wheels and chrome to make this a very nice car….the car really needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. As evidence, this car won first place in its class amongst more serious competition at the Huntington Beach Concourse de Elegance… the only car show it’s been entered in. I encourgae anybody bidding to come by and take a look. Some work dones less than 500 miles ago …clutch replaced, a new radiator core, new carpet, upgraded interior, mousehair dash, rebuilt Borrani’s with new Pirelli’s P4000, stainless exhaust, wrapped headers. The radio is a period blaupunkt cassette player. Engine runs fantastic!

Yellow with tan interior. USA version. I sold it in 2004.

First owner William Boyle, Garden City, NY
Recently sold 2020 PR classics BVBA

This “Verde Gemma” example was initially supplied by the West Nyack, New york State, the USA based Grossman Motor Car Corporation on the 25th November 1970. It still bears the same colour finish it left the factory with. Since that day it has only clocked up just over 14,000 miles.
This Ghibli found its way to Switzerland in 2004 with just 10,310 miles on the clock. The first Swiss owner kept it until he sold it onto German collector in 2006 with just 13,000 miles on the clock. Between 2004-2006 the car was extensively maintained and serviced. Invoices relating to this have been kept with the car.
Now for sale

And for sale at Gallery Aaldering 2021

Listed on Maserati Club UK photogallery

Sold 2011. Award winning car. Black with cream interior. Black over tan interior, 44k miles. Fully restored in 2002. This most beautiful Ghibli Coupe has been restored with passion and is set up to be driven. It comes with perfectly restored original Borrani spokes and a 2nd set of Panasport rims for everyday use.
This is a multiple award winning car including best early V8 at the Monterey Maserati Days in 2005 and 1st place at the Belle Macchine d’Italia in Oak Brook, Ill.
All technical components have been restored and work properly. Cosmetically the car is in wonderful condition including fully restored beige leather.
The original air intake and other parts are all with the car.

Coming up for auction RM Sotheby 2016

According to the Maserati Classiche certificate this Ghibli was delivered
to its first owner, Silvio Poletto, in Padua / Italy on 2 October 1970. The
car moved to Sweden in 1976. Since 2015 the Maserati is in Germany
and has been technically serviced by the marque specialist „Steinke
Sportwagen“ in Hamburg.
This GT with an interesting history convinces with its elegant, sporty
colour scheme and its very original condition. Engine number and colouring
correspond to the delivery (“Matching-numbers!”)

Here it is up for sale April 2015

And similar advert

For Sale June 2021 here

Engine fitted to AM115.1022

Spider conversion
This car, chassis number AM115 49 1814, is a late Ghibli with the most desirable 4.9 SS configuration. Manufactured in 1971 and imported into England in 1989 by Richard Lee, who owned the car until 2012. During that 20 year period, Mr. Lee spent a vast amount of money on his beloved Ghibli, including having an engine rebuild by Colin Clarke engineering and had the car expertly adapted to Spider configuration by the experienced and well-respected Eddie Noone of Vale Cottage Coachworks.
A Vale Cottage conversion was almost indistinguishable from the original Spyder to all but the most expert eye and also included the all-important stiffening of the bodyshell, just like Maserati did on the originals.
The car was exported to Holland in 2013 by an established Dutch collector, whilst there the owner expended a considerable sum re-spraying the car to his taste in the stunning Vibrant Green it is presented in today. Inside, the interior received a total restoration in the finest Tobacco hide along with a new Dark Green Mohair hood, it is a truly beautiful colour combination that must be seen to be appreciated.
Presented in fabulous condition throughout, the car has been inspected by one of the world’s leading classic Maserati experts and at that time had 3 point seat belts fitted with hood adjustment and a replacement of the windscreen seal.
This particular example is very well known in Maserati circles having been selected as Sponsors choice at the 2016 Maserati Club Concours event. Being a matching numbers car and with a high-quality conversion, it is capable of offering all of the excitement and majesty of an original Spyder, but for less than half the price. A similar concours car was sold by Goodings at the 2016 Pebble Beach auctions in Monterey for $1,500,000.

Here it is at the Gallery for sale April 2016

Sold 2013. Black with white interior. Was in a museum in Austria for 16 years before coming to the US in 2006

An article with some images here

Recorded 2015.
Dug out of a garage in Sicily where it has been stored for over 20 years, this Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS is the dream ‘barn-find’! The car has covered only 20,438kms and shows just two previous owners on its ACI registration document; they also just happened to be members of two of the most notorious families on the island! The car we are pleased to offer for sale was manufactured in October, 1970 and delivered new to its first owner a Mr. Giuseppe Gambino via Autonautica of Palermo, Italy. The car was specified from new in Blu Sera over a Senape leather interior.

It has recently been treated to a full restoration in the capable hands of Alfaholics. Included in the works was a full bare metal respray in its original shade of Blu Sera and the interior retrimmed in Tan leather. Alfaholics also carried out a full mechanical overhaul to the car ensuring it drives superbly. The history file maintains a large number of photos documenting the entire restoration process.

Now for sale in the UK here