It seems like every kid wants to be a social media personality. Before that, every kid wanted to be an actor, and before that, every kid wanted to be a rock star. Fame, fortune, trashed hotel rooms, exotic cars, and cushy residuals … the high life of days gone by was more than just a name in lights, it was a dream. A dream somewhat lampooned by Joe Walsh in “Life’s Been Good,” even if Walsh seemed to have his own tendencies. What does this have to do with cars? Well, the song mentions two, and now it’s time to see which one’s best.
Like many aging rock stars, some Maseratis and limousines from the ’70s have seen time take its toll. Shiny paintwork weathers, gleaming chrome tarnishes, deferred maintenance piles up, you know the drill. [Ed note: to his credit, Sammy Hagar kept this particular Ferrari in tip-top shape – Pete] However, when I found a questionable example of each up for sale locally on Facebook Marketplace, I knew what I had to do.
Admittedly, yesterday’s cars were ones you’d more likely have seen at the record company office than parked out front of an A-list rockstar’s mansion. A Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham D’Elegance and a Dodge Colt, two very different ways of living life in the ’80s.
Unsurprisingly, the torn-up seats and ran-when-parked status of the Colt meant it didn’t stand much of a chance against the monolithic Cadillac. A $4,200 Fleetwood Brougham D’Elegance is both physically and metaphorically a lot of car for the money, especially in black. Splash the cash, get yourself a black coat, white shoes, and a black hat, and you’d look like a certified time bomb. Anyway, Rancid’s the wrong decade for today. Time to truly solve the Joe Walsh conundrum the only way we know how around here.
1973 Maserati Indy – $20,000 Canadian
Engine/drivetrain: 4.9-liter V8, three-speed automatic, rear-wheel-drive.
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Odometer reading: 30,000 miles.
Operational status: Who knows?
Right, time for the first side of the equation, a Maserati. Not a boxy Biturbo or an early Quattroporte with the wretched DuoSelect gearbox either, a proper classic with styling by Vignale. In 1969, Maserati launched the Indy, named after its success in the 1939 and 1940 Indy 500. With two-plus-two packaging, a V8 up front, and sharp looks, it was a serious continent crusher for runs from Bern to Monaco.
Of the roughly 1,104 Maserati Indys made between 1968 and 1975, only about 900 came with this, the full-fat 4.9-liter V8. Pumping out 320 horsepower, it could propel this big grand tourer to a top speed of 165 mph, heady stuff for the early 1970s. Mind you, this particular Indy is equipped with the three-speed BorgWarner automatic transmission, and if that doesn’t temper your expectations, just look at the barn find state of this thing. There’s no mention of whether it runs or drives, but judging by the deflated tires and missing gear selector, it probably doesn’t do anything close to 185 at the moment.
Rust? Check. Dents? Check. A slightly complex high-pressure braking system from Citroën and an interior in need of complete restoration? Check and check. Look, there’s a reason why a nice Maserati Indy goes for between $40,000 and $90,000, while this one’s listed for $20,000 Canadian. You’re going to need to put some serious work in. Still, if you’re exceptionally skilled in the garage, this is a gorgeous ’70s Italian grand tourer you might be able to afford.
1972 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow 10-Passenger Limousine – $19,995
Engine/drivetrain: 6.75-liter V8, three-speed automatic, rear-wheel-drive.
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Odometer reading:
Operational status: It runs.
Then again, maybe you want to own a limo and ride in the back? Well, this 1972 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow is certainly classier than a stretched Hummer or Town Car. We’re talking about Rolls-Royce’s first unibody car, a machine that sold in the tens of thousands over its long 15-year production run, elongated like Laffy Taffy.
Measuring an incredible 24 feet long with a wheelbase the size of Delaware, the seller claims this Silver Shadow is truly one-of-a-kind. We’re talking dual moonroofs, gold trim, a full Sony audiovisual system, the works. Sure, the 220-horsepower 6.75-liter V8 probably won’t make for brisk progress, but this machine will certainly make a statement. What’s more, the seller claims it’s recently received new points and rebuilt carburetors. It’s always nice when a project fires right up.
So, what needs to be done to get this ship-sized Roller in fighting shape? Well, some bodywork and trim repair is needed, but the biggest obvious issue seems to be the state of that interior. Some of the leather is looking pretty haggard, but the seller is including 10 yards of faux-alligator with the sale. Not real alligator, that’s cruel. That being said, the low resolution of the photos in the ad make it hard to judge just how much bodywork is necessary.
So, which side of the “Life’s Been Good” spectrum do you stand on? Would you rather restore the rare Maserati or ride around town in a Rolls-Royce limousine?
Top graphic images: Facebook Marketplace sellers
BUS f*ing PASS and twenty grand still in my pocket, thanks.
What a pair of wrecks. Makes a $50,000 F-150 financed at $1000/mo suddenly look pretty good, doesn’t it?
Good thing I don’t need a car!
Maserati is rare, probably worth more if properly sorted, but it is still an awkward 4 seater from the 70’s when done. for a few dollars more I would probably go for a sorted Jensen Intercepter https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1972-jensen-interceptor-north-east-pa-2915821
In this case though a running rolls for CP funny money would be by choice. Biggest issue of course is the brakes in the end though.
Considering the star that owns either of these is probably homeless the Rolls is probably the choice to live in but currently I am housed so Maserati it is.
What’s the current exchange rate Canadian to US?
Except, nevermind, hit with tariffs. I don’t want a stretch Roller either, but it may start. Ain’t worth half that, though. Ugh. Would neither, if forced Rolls.
Over and over we come to these showdowns to find cool cars. Alas, this Maserati doesn’t do 185. Where’d they find it anyway, a second hand store? All that restoration seems like a lot of work. Think I’ll do it all tomorrow. The Rolls, though? That yacht is perfect for all the boat weirdos out there.
The Maser is too far gone.
Wow. Neither.
Who volunteers for Canadian Tetanus?
Joe Walsh has said he took liberties with the top speed figure. It’s gotta rhyme.
Not surprised that Sammy Hagar took/takes loving care of his exotics. His way in to Van Halen was through a shared Lamborghini mechanic, after all.
Gross gross gross. Big neither today, but I clicked the button for overpriced RR vs the overpriced Maserati, but damn people! If you want $20k for your car, run a vacuum over it at least!
Here’s a thought: this is what they looked like AFTER the owners tidied them up.
Possibly, but the Rolls has definitely not been vacuumed, and would show so much better with that being done. Also, pics that have more than 2 pixels would be nice.
But it looks SO much better now that the owner removed the dead rats, condom wrappers, and used drug paraphernalia.
Also, I have a feeling pics with better resolution would not be doing either of these vehicles any favors…
Maserati, if only for the reason it will be infinitely easier to store than a 24 foot long rolls
OK, preface this by saying “in reality, neither,” but….
For me it’s the Maserati. The complex braking system is replaceable. The motor, if it can run, should be stout, and if it can’t, an LS swap gets you there. It could even get you a better transmission.
The rest is just cosmetics.
The big caveat, given the surface rust, is whether it has a floor, or any metal one can bolt the suspension to.
I regret to inform you but it’s the “just cosmetics” that’s the hardest and most expensive, always is.
So don’t touch a thing. It would be downright criminal to erase its heritage/patina.
Oh, I know. That’s why I said in reality, it would be neither. I’m not retired. But if I was, a little rust removal could wile away the hours.
Little?
The live version of Joe Walsh’s song says he rides in the trunk, and locks the doors in case he gets drunk. I’ll take the Limo, because that trunk is big enough to ride in!
Thomas, you are a masochist lol reading this I was like “please let there be a neither/take a scooter”, sadly leaving disappointed lol
Neither. How about that Vega in the background?
Can I still choose the Colt from yesterday?
Rolls, I guess.
LS swap it. Supercharger sticking thru the hood. Paint it purple with flames and enough metal flake to shame a bass boat.
Now it’s truly trashy, but interesting.
Rolls already ruined by the hack job. Maserati only might be ruined 😉
*tosses coin*
Rolls I guess?
It’s hard to see where either of these are worth near the ask.
Neither one of these “vehicles” is worth 20K to me. If I was forced at proverbial gun point to choose one with my fake internet money in hand, I’d go Rolls since it runs. Drive it around as a joke till something expensive breaks and then launch it off that cliff in Alaska https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/alaska-car-launch/
The Rolls, reluctantly, because it could be used for all kinds of non-car things — parked in front of a British-style pub, converted into a rolling haunted house (no conversion required), a kitchy Air BNB, or even to serve as the VIP lounge at a punk club.
The possibilities are endless!
Assuming you leave the interior as-is, what’s the nightly rate to stay in it? Good news is there’s no need for a cleaning fee at this point.
Maserati, please!
Storing the Rolls would be a challenge, and when the project crushes my spirit – which it most certainly will – I can make Indiana Jones comments to lighten the mood.
I would rather pay 20K to have my foot nailed to a board than buy either of these. I would heal faster.
Well, it would be a quicker way to get tetanus.
I hate to say it, but that Maserati is prime body-swap material.
Put it this way, you spend 40k bringing back the Indy to roadworthiness, you may actually see close to that back if you sell it. You spend that same 40k repairing the Rolls, you’re still gonna struggle to get 20k for it.
This only works if you value your labor and mental wellbeing as being worth 0 dollars.
Yeah, no. Just no. Both of these will cost so much to restore. That limo might give you an STI…
Might?