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1980 Merak Image Right
 

1979 Maserati Merak SS news, pictures, and information

Coupe
Chassis Num: AM1220606
 
Sold for $32,556 (€25,200) at 2012 RM Auctions.
The Orsis family, which were owners of Maserati, sold out to Citroen in 1969. Shortly thereafter, Maserati introduced the V-6 powered Merak in 1971. It shared its platform and Giorgetto Giugiaro's Italdesign styling with the V-8 engined Bora.

In 1976, Alejandro de Tomaso took over Maserati and in 1978 improved the Merak by abandoning the Citroen hydraulically-assisted brake system and adopting the Bora's ZF five-speed transaxle and larger wheel and tire package. Not only did the balance and performance improve, so did the build quality.

This Maserati Merak SS is a matching numbers example finished in red with original checkered cloth interior. The V-6 dual overhead camshaft engine offers 220 horsepower and there is a five-speed synchronized gearbox.

The car was originally delivered to Parma and has remained in Italy ever since. The car was given a restoration in the early 1990s.

In 2012, this car was offered for sale at the Monaco sale presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for €25.000-€35.000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of €25.200 inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2012
The Maserati Merak was essential a study in the art of producing a super-car on a budget. The Merak shared many design similarities to the Bora, Maserati's other super-car during this time. The engine and gearbox were supplied by Citroen, a French automobile manufacturer and major stakeholder of Maserati.

The interior of the car was also influenced by Citroen. However, in 1975 the interior dash was redesigned to eliminate some of the frustations caused by the hard-to-read gauges and too many warning lights. A new engine was introduced which increased the displacement to 3.0 liters. Weber 44DCNF were now used.

In 1977 the Bora production ceased. The Merak was now the only super-car being produced by Maserati. The interior was once again updated and a new badge, the Merak SS, adorned the car. Due to US introduction of the Merak, an electric motor was used in-place of the hydraulic system that controled the headlight raising.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2007
RM To Sell Magnificent 1905 Fiat 60HP
MAGNIFICENT 1905 FIAT 60HP HEADS LIST OF INCREDIBLE NEW ENTRIES FOR RM'S SALE DURING THE CONCORSO D'ELEGANZA VILLA D'ESTE WEEKEND • RM Auctions announces additional stunning consignments for its forthcoming sale during the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este weekend, 25th May • Offered for sale publicly for the first time in 108 years, this thundering and unique early 60HP FIAT presents collectors with the rarest of opportunities to buy a piece of motoring history • A simply exquisite and...[Read more...]
RM Group of Companies Enjoys Significant Growth and Record $360 Million in Auction Sales During 2012
• RM group of companies, including RM Auctions and Auctions America, generates more than $360 million in auction sales in 2012 • Results tally represents best performance in the history of the collector car hobby • RM Auctions secures 49 individual million-dollar-plus transactions and a string of new auction records • Biennial Monaco sale enters history books as one of the most successful collector car auctions ever staged in Europe • Auctions America enjoys significant growth and puts Aubur...[Read more...]
Ferrari 'Tour De France' Joins RM's Monterey Sale
• RM Auctions announces a rare and coveted 1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta Scaglietti 'Tour de France' as the latest feature attraction for its Monterey sale, August 17–18 • The first 14-Louver TdF built and one of just nine examples of its kind, 0585 GT is Ferrari Classiche certified and boasts a well-documented history, including a co-starring role in the 1966 Disney classic, The Love Bug • Exclusive TdF joins previously announced Ferrari 410 S to lead an exceptional roster of more than a...[Read more...]
2012 Canadian Grand Prix - Preview
Round Seven of the 2012 World Championship, the Canadian Grand Prix, is hosted by Montreal and takes place on Sunday 10 June at the 4.631 km Circuit Gilles Villeneuve located on the city's Ile Notre-Dame. • In the past ten years, there have been a total of 14 Safety Car periods in Montreal – including five last year • Two of the past three races in Montreal have featured at least five different leaders • The race has been won from pole three times in the past ten years – compared to ei...[Read more...]
RM Auctions at the Monaco Historics
RM Auctions, the world's largest collector car auction house for investment-quality automobiles, continued its record-breaking sales run in Europe this past weekend, generating a spectacular €33,521,710 in sales* ($43,410,615 million USD**) with 86 percent of all lots sold at its biennial Monaco sale at the Grimaldi Forum. Held during the same weekend as the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, the two-day auction presented a magnificent collection of more than 90 blue-chip automobiles, 100 Ducat...[Read more...]


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Maserati: 1971-1980
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1980 Merak Image Right
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