1972 Maserati Ghibli

When the Maserati Ghibli coupe was introduced at the 1966 Turin Motor Show, it was considered to be one of the best looking Maseratis to date. Ghia’s chief designer Giorgio Giugiaro called it one of the designs he was most proud of, and it’s also been called the most beautiful post-war sports car. The Ghibli coupe swept back from a low full-width grille with pop-up headlights, to a steeply angled windshield and sloping roof with a Kamm tail. Astute observers may note a number of similarities in the Aston Martin DBS.

The Ghibli (named after a hot North African wind, like the Maserati Mistral) was powered by a thundering 330 bhp four-cam V-8 with four Weber carburettors. The cams were chain-driven, which is both heavier and noisier than belts, but but eliminates the expensive belt replacement that characterizes later Ferraris.

The Ghibli engine was loosely based on the 5000 GT, which was developed from the blindingly, fast sports-racing 450S. Despite its 1782kg steel body, the coupe was capable of 0-60 mph in about 6 seconds, and a top speed of over 170 mph.

The chassis was shared with the Maserati Mexico and Quattroporte but shortened 89mm from the Mexico’s 2+2. The Ghibli was only 1168mm high, but interior space was helped by the old-fashioned live rear axle and leaf springs, which meant more useable boot space.

A low bonnet was achieved by a dry sump oiling system and fuel was carried in two 60-litre tanks. The coupe featured power windows and air conditioning, and while a bit heavy for an out-and-out sports car, it proved a superb high speed tourer – a Grand Routier – like the equivalent 365 GTB/4 Ferrari Daytona.

In fact sales of the Ferrari Daytona and Maserati Ghibli were comparable, with 1,149 Ghibli coupes built between 1967-73 against 1,273 Ferrari Daytona Berlinettas.

In 1969, Maserati introduced a spectacular Ghibli Spyder, which offered a 3-speed automatic transmission, redesigned dashboard and upgraded interior. The Spyder was even prettier than the coupe, with a convertible top that stowed out of sight beneath a hinged cover. An optional hard top could make the car a year-round performer.

Only 125 Spyders would be built before the Ghibli was discontinued in 1973. To make up for increasingly stiff U.S. emissions, the engine was increased to 4.9 litres in 1970 and power rose slightly to 335 bhp, but with more torque. The final 25 Spyders (made between 1970 and 1972) were called SS models to indicate the larger engine and a few were right-hand drive.

The Maserati Ghibli has increased in collectability in recent years, but not yet to the levels of its Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona equivalents. The Spyders demand a significant premium over their coupe brothers, and SS models are the most desirable.

Period alternatives, other than the Ferrari Daytona, are the Maserati Bora, the Lamborghini Jarama and the Jaguar E-Type V-12.