1975 Maserati Bora 4.9

Design by Giorgetto Giugiaro

4,930cc DOHC V8 Engine
4 Weber Carburetors
320bhp at 6,000rpm
5-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*One of just 275 4.9 Liter Bora's produced
*Matching-numbers, US-delivered example
*Nearly $70,000 in cosmetic and mechanical work completed since 2018
*Finished in striking Blu Ischia Metallizzato over Blu leather


THE MASERATI BORA

"The brief called for a car that was clearly a Maserati, modern but devoid of the exotic look that unnecessary decorations can create, strikingly sporty but not inordinately aggressive. In short: innovative but not revolutionary."- Italdesign press release, 1971

Introduced at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show, The Tipo 117 Bora was Maserati's first and only mid-engine V8 supercar, following the trend set by the Lamborghini Miura in 1966. Maserati commissioned Italdesign, Giorgetto Giugiaro's nascent design firm, to develop this new genre of Maserati. This design, while unmistakably Giugiaro, featured striking styling similarities with the DeTomaso Mangusta, BMW M1, and even the Delorean DMC 12. As quoted above, the Bora was strikingly sporty but not inordinately aggressive, a truly worthy Maserati GT car, with clear connections to the Ghibli that came before.

Underneath the striking Italdesign body, the Bora bore 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 legendary 250F Formula 1 car. Starting in 1973, a larger 4.9-liter engine was available as well, gaining 10 horsepower over the 4.7-liter version.

Along with being a capable mid-engine supercar, the Bora was considerably more practical than its competition. The Bora featured dual pane glass and a carpeted engine bay to greatly reduce engine noise, as well as a full sized trunk- a rare feature in a mid-engine supercar. The Bora was also one of the first new models to be released after Citroen gained a controlling interest in Maserati in 1968. As a result, the Bora featured innovations like hydraulically operated headlights and seat/pedal box adjustments. The Bora also featured a telescoping and movable steering wheel, making it much less of an ordeal to enter an exit than its competitors from Sant'Agata and Maranello.


THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This stunning Maserati was delivered new to the United States and has documented history since the 1990s. Powered by the throaty 4,930cc DOHC V8 engine, it is finished in striking Blu Ischia Metallizzato, over a Blu and black Connolly leather interior with black Wilton carpets. The car is equipped with Campagnolo alloy wheels, and fitted with the desirable manual-shift, 5-Speed ZF transaxle.

The Bora's first owner was most likely Californian, but the cars further early history remains unknown. By the early 1990s, the Bora was with a California collector, only leaving the Golden State when it was acquired by a Florida enthusiast in 2017. Prior to purchase, the Maserati had been the recipient of a cosmetic restoration, with further work completed after acquisition in 2017-18. Finding a new home in 2019, the Bora's 4.9-liter V8 was the subject of thorough rebuild from the crank up. Attention to mechanical systems was extremely comprehensive and complete, with invoices meticulously detailing nearly $49,000. In total, receipts on file detail nearly $70,000 in service in the last three years.

Today, this example of Maserati's foray into mid-engine supercars is in beautifully maintained condition, and presented in a stunning blue over blue color scheme. Rarely seen in such meticulously kept mechanical condition, the Bora also retains its matching numbers 4.9-liter engine, and is offered with extensive records detailing the car's care and history over the last three decades. This lovely example of Maserati's mature and spiritedly sporty supercar would be a great entry into high-speed rallies such as the Copperstate 1000, or a Concours d'Elegance.