1968 Maserati Ghibli 4.7-Litre Coupé

• Delivered new to France
• Single family ownership 1976-2012
• Present ownership since 2013
• Comprehensively restored by McGrath Maserati (bills and photographs available)
• Concours condition

"It differs from many cars of similar performance in that it is equally as suited to going to the opera as blasting down to Palermo on the Autostrada." – Road & Track
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A strong contender for 'most handsome car of the 1960s' title, Maserati's Ghibli debuted in coupé form at the Turin Motor Show in November 1966. Styled at Carrozzeria Ghia by Giorgetto Giugiaro and named after a Sahara Desert wind, the Ghibli rivalled the Ferrari Daytona for straight-line performance - its top speed was close to 170mph (275km/h) - while beating it for price and, arguably, looks. More than 4.5m long and 1.8m wide, the Ghibli occupied an inordinate amount of space for a mere two-seater, but perhaps the most startling aspect of its appearance was the height, or rather the lack of it (it was only 1.15m tall). Dry-sump lubrication enabled the engine to be mounted deep in the chassis, permitting a low bonnet line, while limited suspension travel ensured that the tyres did not foul the wheelarches. The roofline fell away from the top of the steeply raked windscreen to the chopped-off tail, Giugario thus achieving a cabin lower than that of almost all the Ghibli's contemporaries.

Like the contemporary Mexico 2+2, the Ghibli used a shortened version of the Quattroporte saloon's tubular steel chassis in its live-rear-axle form. Perhaps surprisingly, the Ghibli set-up used leaf springs and a single locating arm in preference to the more complex suspension arrangements favoured by its rivals. Designed by the celebrated engineer Giulio Alfieri, the power unit was Maserati's venerable, four-cam, 90-degree V8, an engine derived from that of the 450S sports racer and first seen in road-going guise in the 5000GT. This was used in 4.7-litre form up to 1970 when it was superseded by the 4.9-litre 'SS' version in order to meet ever more stringent emission laws. The gain in horsepower was minimal but in either case performance was stunning, with 100mph (160km/h) attainable in under 16 seconds. This neck-snapping acceleration resulted from the V8's enormous torque, which made the Ghibli one of the most flexible and easy-to-drive GTs of its era. One of the most stunning sports cars ever made, the Ghibli was a worthy rival for the Ferrari 'Daytona' and represents exceptional value for money today, just as it did almost 60 years ago.

This manual transmission Ghibli was delivered new to France and first registered in Paris on 26th June 1968, passing in 1976 to a Parisian family with whom it remained until 2012, regularly maintained by Officine Alfieri Maserati SpA in Modena, Italy. The accompanying certificate issued by Maserati Classiche reveals that the Ghibli was originally finished in Blue Medio (Mid-Blue) with Bordeaux leather interior and Borrani wire wheels.

Our vendor purchased the Ghibli at a French auction in October 2013 at 66,030 kilometres (purchase invoice on file). Since then the car has undergone a most extensive restoration to concours standard with no expense spared, carried out by the renowned UK-based marque specialists McGrath Maserati, whose numerous detailed bills and comprehensive restoration photographic record are on file (perusal highly recommended). Completed in 2022 (at 69,502 kilometres), the renovation included a bodywork restoration, engine rebuild, engine bay refurbishment, carburettor rebuild, cooling system rebuild, and an overhaul of the steering and suspension. The original interior was found to be in excellent condition so was retained. As well as the aforementioned bills and photographs, etc, the car also comes with a UK V5C Registration Certificate. Representing an exciting opportunity to own one of the 1960s most iconic supercars, comprehensively restored to concours condition by the best in the business, this gorgeous Maserati Ghibli wants for nothing but an enthusiastic new owner.