Maserati Ghibli, tak jak jego bracia Mistral i Khamsin, zostało nazwane od wiatru. Model projektu Giorgetto Giugiaro (pracującego wówczas w Ghia), zaprezentowany został po raz pierwszy w 1966 roku podczas Turin Auto Show. Długi i smukły samochód konkurować miał z Ferrari 275 GTB i Lamborghini 400 GT. W 1970 roku Maserati ulepsza Ghibli i przedstawia odmianę SS o mocy 335 KM z silnik o pojemności 4,9 litra, zasilanego w mieszankę przez dwa gaźniki Weber 42 DCNF. W momencie premiery był to najszybszy samochód, jaki Maserati kiedykolwiek wyprodukowało. Jego maksymalną prędkość szacuje się na ponad 280 km/h. W sumie wyprodukowano jedynie 1170 sztuk Ghibli coupe i 125 wersji Spider. Uważa się, że zaledwie 250 sztuk Ghibli wyjechało z fabryki w specyfikacji SS. Egzemplarz wystawiony na aukcji jest jednym z nich. Okaz o numerze 2372 prezentuje się wspaniale w kombinacji złotego koloru Oro Kelso z czarną skórą Connolly we wnętrzu. Maserati dostarczone jako nowe do Grossman Motor Cars w Nowym Jorku, sprzedane zostało 8 marca 1974, a w rozliczeniu przyjęto Jaguara E-Type V12. Nowy właściciel twierdził, że pierwotnie chciał nabyć Ferrari 365 GTB/4, jednak jazda próbna obydwoma samochodami pozwoliła wyżej ocenić Ghibli. W 2013 roku Ghibli SS zostało wysłane do Włoch w celu przeprowadzenia całkowitej renowacji. Do dziś samochód pozostaje w wyjątkowym stanie. Oprócz kopii oryginalnego rachunku zakupu, okaz posiada imponującą dokumentację. Certyfikaty potwierdzają oryginalne kolory samochodu i zgodność podzespołów mechanicznych. Jeden z najwspanialszych włoskich okazów klasy grand tourer lat 70-tych wylicytowany został w Arizonie za 302 tysiące dolarów, czyli około 1,15 miliona złotych.
1972 Maserati Ghibli SS 4.9 Coupe by Ghia
©2020 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Link: https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az20/arizona/lots/r0075-1972-maserati-ghibli-ss-49-coupe-by-ghia/
Lot Number 260
1972 Maserati Ghibli SS 4.9 Coupe by Ghia
$275,000 – $325,000
RM | Sotheby’s – ARIZONA 16 – 17 JANUARY 2020 – Offered on Friday
Chassis No. AM115/49 2372
Engine No. AM115/49 2372
Body No. 100203
U.S.-delivery example; top-of-the-line SS 4.9-liter
Numbers-matching example per Maserati Certificate of Origin
Meticulously restored by marque experts, finished in original Oro Kelso
Complete with Maserati Classiche documentation and copy of original Bill of Sale
Known history from new, including 40 years of single ownership from 1972–2012
Like its sisters the Mistral and later the Khamsin, the Ghibli was named after a fierce wind. Unveiled at the 1966 Turin Auto Show, its beautiful flowing lines were penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro, then chief designer at Ghia. The styling was long, low, and wide, with hidden headlamps and a grille prominently punctuated by the firm’s trident emblem foreshadowing the styling of Maseratis to come in the 1970s. Production began in 1967, and the Ghibli quickly proved a worthy competitor against the Ferrari 275 GTB and Lamborghini 400 GT, its chief rivals.
Maserati upped the ante in 1970 with the introduction of the SS model, featuring a 335 hp, 4.9-liter engine with solid-state ignition and four Weber 42 DCNF carburetors. At its release it was the fastest car Maserati had ever produced, with a top speed of 175 mph. In total, just 1,170 coupes and 125 spiders were produced over the production run; it is believed that just 250 Ghiblis were SS 4.9-liter models in any variation.
Chassis no. 2372 was completed in July 1972, finished in the stunning shade of Oro Kelso (gold) over Nero (black) Connolly leather. The SS was delivered to the U.S. and offered at Grossman Motor Cars in West Nyack, New York. On 8 March 1974, salesman Allen Sockol sold the Ghibli SS, with 22 miles at the time, to its first owner for $21,000. A copy of the original Bill of Sale accompanies the car, which goes on to state that a 1971 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V-12 was taken on trade. The original owner, a resident of New York’s upscale Long Island Hamptons community, stated that he was originally in the market for a Ferrari 365 GTB/4, but after driving both the Ghibli SS and the Daytona at the selling dealer, he decided that the Ghibli was a much smoother car, falling in love with the drivability and overall feel. The Ghibli spent a great deal of its life on Long Island under original ownership, and today the car retains a period East Hampton parking permit on the driver-side rear glass.
In 2013 the Ghibli SS was sent to Italy by its second caretaker for a complete nut-and-bolt restoration by marque experts. Meticulously restored, the car was brought back to the way it left the factory with impeccable attention to detail throughout. It was subsequently sold and is currently offered having had only three owners from new. Today the car remains in exceptional condition throughout, a testament to the high-quality restoration it received in its native country.
In addition to the copy of its original Bill of Sale, this Ghibli SS has impressive documentation provided by Maserati Classiche, including the car’s Certificate of Origin, Technical & Aesthetic Characteristics Certificate, and copies of the Final Tests Data Sheet, End of Line Data Sheet, and the Delivery Note. The certificates confirm the car’s original colors and, most importantly, verifies that this Ghibli SS is a highly desirable numbers-matching example, including the chassis, engine, and body. Also included with the car is a tool roll, spare wheel, and reproduction Use and Maintenance and Spare Parts manuals.
The Ghibli SS is arguably one of the finest Italian grand tourers of the 1970s. This exquisite three-owner example, having benefitted from a meticulous restoration, is a concours-quality sports car and one that is ready to be appreciated for years to come.