1979 Maserati Merak SS Coupe

When Citroen acquired Maserati in 1968, it sought to increase production. The Merak (Tipo 122) was intended to be a less expensive version of the Bora to compete with the Lamborghini Urraco and the Ferrari 308/GT4. 'Merak' is taken from a star in Ursa Major (derived from the Arabic for 'loins of the bear'), a departure from previous wind-inspired model names. The car uses much of the structure of the Bora and Giugiaro echoes its body design with refinements such as the rear flying buttress. It is powered by a 220 bhp four-overhead camshaft 2965cc V-6 engine with triple twin-choke Weber 42DCNF carburetors directly derived from the Maserati engine used in the Citroen SM. The chassis is an all-steel monocoque with a simplified rear subframe, unlike the Bora's expensive tubular steel construction. The SS version was introduced in 1976, offering more power and an improved interior. Its top speed is 153 mph, and it does 0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds.