Pop star sues dealer for $US1 million over allegedly fake Maserati – report

A classic-car dealer in the US is being sued for $US1 million ($AU1.5 million) by a pop star for selling an alleged knock-off of a very rare Maserati.

According to the Los Angeles Times newspaper, Adam Levine, lead singer of the band Maroon 5, is suing the dealer after buying what he believed to be a 1971 Maserati Ghibli SS Spyder – one of only approximately 25 to have been built by Maserati.

The lawsuit claims the Ghibli convertible was named “the 1241” by the dealer – in reference to the vehicle’s identification number, AM115.492.1241 – when the real Maserati with that VIN is believed to be owned by British aviation tycoon and luxury car collector, Clive Joy-Morancho.

The report claims Mr Levine traded a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 and a 1968 Ferrari 365 GTC for the Maserati, along with an additional $US100,000 to seal the deal.

Not only does the lawsuit allege the Texas-based car dealer sold the fraudulent Maserati, but it alleges the dealer was actually responsible for the counterfeit convertible.

“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 lawsuit alleges.

“Upon information and belief, it was [the dealer] and/or his agents who made these changes.”

The lawsuit also claims the dealer provided Mr Levine with a letter of authenticity from a Maserati expert – however, the paperwork was apparently written for the ‘real’ Maserati, owned by the British collector.