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

LOS ANGELES — 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.

Cole bills himself on his website as an “internationally recognized sales agent, auctioneer, and appraiser of investment grade automobiles” with 50 years of experience in the industry. The lawsuit accuses him of, among other things, negligent misrepresentation, intentional misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment and breach of contract.

Cole did not respond immediately Wednesday to a request for comment.

The Maroon 5 frontman’s trust agreed in December 2020 to trade a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 and a 1968 Ferrari 365 GTC for the 1971 Maserati plus $100,000, which was what Cole suggested, the suit 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, aka “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.

“[S]omeone 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.

Kevin Costner’s attorney fires back at claims that actor has been ‘difficult’ on ‘Yellowstone’

Kevin Costner’s attorney is refuting claims the actor has made things difficult in the latest season of Paramount’s hit show, “Yellowstone.”

Attorney Marty Singer denied that the actor shortened the amount of time he was willing to work on location in Montana.

“The idea that Kevin was only willing to work one week on the second half of Season 5 of Yellowstone is an absolute lie,” Singer told Puck in a story published Tuesday. “It’s ridiculous — and anyone suggesting it shouldn’t be believed for one second.”

The remarks follow rumors from earlier this month that Costner, who stars as the ranch owner John Dutton on the series, may be leaving the show due to issues surrounding “disagreements over shooting schedules,” as first reported by Deadline.

The report also claimed that showrunner Taylor Sheridan plans to potentially wrap “Yellowstone” in its current form and launch a franchise that would continue the Dutton family’s story and possibly star Matthew McConaughey.

A Paramount spokesperson also told Deadline that, while they did not have any news on Costner’s status, they would “love to partner” with actor McConaughey as the series continues.

“We have no news to report,” Paramount said in a recent statement to CNN.

The story published by Puck explained that the plan for Season 5 of the award-winning series had expanded from 10 to 16 episodes, but that Costner had previously negotiated his shooting window down in a way that would complicate production.

“As everyone who knows anything about Kevin is well aware, he is incredibly passionate about the show and has always gone way above and beyond to ensure its success,” Singer continued in his quote to Puck.

“As we previously stated, Kevin has been a key component of the success of our Yellowstone series, and we hope that continues from here on out,” a Paramount spokesperson said.

Paramount did not respond immediately Wednesday to a request for comment.

‘Rust’ to move to Montana when production resumes after Alec Baldwin shooting

Production for “Rust” will move to Montana when it resumes more than a year after the fatal on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, producers said Wednesday.

Filming will take place at the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Livingston this spring after previously being held at the Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico, according to the announcement.

“The beauty of Montana surpasses words, and the warm hospitality and kindness extended by everyone I’ve met has been both humbling and inspiring,” director Joel Souza said in a statement. “It is a privilege to work with such great partners as we see this through on Halyna’s behalf.”

Hutchins, who was 42, died in October 2021 after being shot by a firearm handled by Alec Baldwin, a star and producer on the film.

Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed were charged last month with involuntary manslaughter. Baldwin has claimed he was told the gun was cold, indicating it wasn’t loaded with live ammunition.

On Monday, New Mexico 1st Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies dropped a firearm enhancement, eliminating a minimum five-year sentence, after Baldwin’s legal team argued the charge stemmed from a statute that passed months after the shooting. Baldwin now faces a maximum sentence of 18 months with no minimum sentence.

Producers announced last week their plans to restart “Rust” in the spring with a combination of original and new crew members. Bianca Cline will take over as the Western film’s cinematographer and Hutchins’ widower, Matthew Hutchins, will serve as executive producer.

Baldwin wasn’t mentioned in last week’s announcement but is expected to be back as an actor and producer, the Daily News learned. Gutierrez Reed will not return.

“The dedication and passion of the entire Rust production team to honor Halyna’s vision has deeply moved us,” the co-founders of Yellowstone Film Ranch said in a statement Wednesday.

“We’ve learned so much about Halyna as a friend and colleague, the depth of her artistry, and the lasting impact she had on so many. We are honored to play a role in the realization of her vision and to carry forward her inspiring legacy through championing this film.”