1969 Maserati Ghibli Coupe

The Maserati Ghibli was introduced at the 1966 Turin Auto Show. It wore a design by Giorgetto Giugiaro, a young designer, who created the Ghibli design in just three months. The coachwork was handled by Ghia. It is believed that Henry Ford paid an astonishing $19,000 for the first Ghibli coupe imported to the United States. Impressed with the car, he even offered to buy the company. This, however, is speculation.

This Ghibli is named for the hot Sahara winds. Celebrity owners have included Jean-Paul Belmondo, Peter Sellers, and Sammy Davis Jr.

Power was from a quad-cam V8 offering 310 horsepower and gave the car a top speed of more than 150 mph. It had a tubular steel frame with a separate body. Between 1967 and 1972, a total of 1,149 units were produced, outselling the Ferrari Daytona and the Lamborghini Miura.

This particular Ghibli 4.7 examples was originally delivered to Tullio Gregoratti of Udine, Italy on July 14th of 1969. It later made its way to the United States in 1990. In 1993, it was acquired by an enthusiast in Utah, who kept it for nearly a decade. The car was then acquired by the previous owner of Las Vegas, Nevada, who commenced restoration of the car. The current caretaker acquired it several years ago, who completed the extensive and meticulous restoration. The interior was refurbished with white leather seating; the exterior was done in metallic Verde Pinto, bright chrome, and Maserati badging. The restoration totalled approximately $115,000.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2016