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Jay Leno Drives Rare, Unrestored Maserati Khamsin

The Khamsin is a dry, hot, dusty wind that blows in the Northern part of Africa. Add "Maserati" to that, and you get one of the most amazing sportscars from the 70s.
1975 Maserati Khamsin 1 photo
Photo: screenshot from Youtube
Powered by a 4.9-liter V8 engine with 320 hp, the Maserati Khamsin was designed by Marcello Gandini. You know, the guy who penned the Countach, Miura… average cars like that.

With only 430 built over a period of 6 years, it's pretty rare, which is why we relish the opportunity to see one that's never been restored. Only 155 were brought to the US, and all featured silly overrider bumpers at the front and back, which this Khamsin thankfully doesn't have any more.

The Khamsin featured on Jay Leno's Garage has never been rebuilt, so it has its original paint and interior. This car comes from the era when Citroen owned the Italian company, and so the Khamsin has hydraulic everything – seats, headlights, steering, clutch and brakes.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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