1971 Maserati Ghibli

The Maserati Ghibli was introduced in 1966 at the Turin Italy Automobile Show and wore styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro while working for Ghia while the mechanical aspects were handled by Maserati's chief engineer, Giulio Alfieri. It was named after a hot wind blowing across the Sahara Desert. Production began with a fastback coupe in April of 1967 with a Spyder joining in 1969. The 4,719cc V8 engine with dry-sump lubrication and two chain-driven camshafts per cylinder bank produced just over 300 horsepower. The dry-sump lubrication enabled the engine to be mounted deep in the chassis, allowing a low bonnet line, while limited suspension travel ensured the tires did not rub the wheel arches. The styling was long and low, with a razor-edge design that was both refined and brutal. It had a steeply raked windscreen, a chopped-off tail, and a lower cabin height than most of its contemporaries, giving it a low center of gravity, albeit restricted headroom for rear passengers.

The Ghibli could sprint from zero-to-sixty mph in 6.8 seconds and had a top speed approaching 170 mph, putting it in similar territory to the Lamborghini Miura and Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona. The engine could be backed by either a five-speed ZF manual transmission or a three-speed Borg-Warner automatic. The tubular frame was derived from those of the Maserati Mexico and the Quattroporte sedan, and like its predecessors had a live rear axle. Instead of the more complex suspension design used by its rivals, the Ghibli received leaf springs and a single locating arm. It rode on alloy wheels or the optional Borrani wire wheels, had disappearing headlamps, and leather sports seats.

The Spyders had two seats while the coupes had a 2+2 configuration, although the rear two seats consisted of nothing more than a cushion without a backrest.

In 1969, Maserati introduced the SS version powered by a new engine that had a larger stroke resulting in a 4,930cc, 330 horsepower, and 355 lb-ft of torque. From a standstill, the Ghibli could now reach 100 mph in just 16 seconds and had a top speed of 170. Maserati described the SS version as 'powerful and ultra-fast, smooth and dependable, modern and efficient.'

The exotic styling and mid-front-engine placement, exclusive production numbers, predictable drivability at high speeds, forgiving handling characteristics, low center of gravity, and near-perfect weight distribution made it among the finest supercars of its era.

The total production reached 1,149 2+2 coupes and 125 Spyders (including 45 Spyder SS models).

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2020