1978 Maserati Merak Coupe

The early 1970s saw the introduction of 'junior supercar' models to complement their larger, faster, and more expensive top-of-range machines. Ferrari had their Dino 308 GT4 and Lamborghini had the mid-engined Urraco. Maserati's top supercar was the Bora with its Giugiaro designed body and powerful V-8 engine. In search of a 'junior supercar', Maserati sent the Bora back to Giorgetto Giugiaro's drawing board, asking ItalDeisgn to re-work the car into something equally attractive but less costly to build. Giugiaro answered their challenge. Bora's expensive stainless-steel roof panel was replaced and the glassy rear canopy engine was reconfigured with a more conventional steel lid and a pair of flying buttresses to visually continue the sloping roofline over the rear deck.

The engine used was a DOHC V-6 powerplant that was developed for use by Citroen in the SM. As Maserati was owned by Citroen at the time, many of the parts were sourced from Citroen's parts bin. The entire dashboard and instrument cluster, plus much of the hydraulic system, was sourced from Citroen. This helped reduce costs and development time.

Maserati named their new model the Merak, after a star in the Ursa Major Constellation. It came to market in 1972.

The Merak offered plenty of performance (170 horsepower), comfort, and handling. When Maserati and Citroen parted ways, the Merak was given a mid-life update. The SM-sourced interior was replaced with a Bora-style cabin, and the complex Citroen hydraulics were replaced with more conventional mechanical systems. The engine was re-engineered for a near 30-horsepower increase, the bumpers were redesigned, and a new chin spoiler was installed to reduce front end lift at high speeds. After the work was completed, Maserati re-christened the model as the Merak SS.

Between 1972 and 1982, Maserati produced just 1,236 Meraks.

This particular example, chassis AM122.A.US.2258, is one of only 312 SS models produced for the U.S. market. The car was delivered to Maserati Automobiles, U.S.A., Inc., on October 17, 1977. It still wears its original Argento silver paint and Racing Blue Connolly leather interior, and all of the U.S.-spec emissions and safety equipment.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2014