1973 Maserati Bora Coupe

At the 1971 Geneva Motor Show, the Tipo 117 Bora was introduced, and was the company's first and only mid-engine V8 supercar, following the trend set by the Lamborghini Miura in 1966. Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign was responsible for its design. Its styling was similar to the DeTomaso Mangusta, BMW m1, and even the DeLorean DMC 12.

The Bora was given a 4.7-liter alloy V8 mated to a ZF 5-speed transaxle and a fully independent double-wishbone suspension system designed by Giulio Alfieri, the co-designer of the 250F Formula 1 car. A larger 4.9-liter engine was offered in 1973, gaining 10 horsepower over the 4.7-liter version.

To help reduce engine noise, the Bora was given dual pane glass and a carpeted engine bay. It had a full sized trunk which was a rare feature in a mid-engine supercar. It had hydraulically operated headlights, seat adjustment, and pedal box. The Bora also featured a telescoping and movable steering wheel.

This particular Maserati Bora is a 4.9-liter unit that was completed in Maserati's Modena workshop in July of 1973. It left the factory finished in black with a tan interior, the same that it bares today. It was fitted with factory air conditioning and a special order Blaupunkt Frankfurt radio.

The car has been driven just 6,000 miles since an engine rebuild, including 1000 miles covered as a participant in the Copperstate 1000.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2015