Offered from the collection of Bernard Fornas
1971 Maserati Ghibli SS 4.9-Litre Coupé

• Originally built to US specification
• Desirable manual transmission
• Present ownership since 2014
• Maintained with no expense spared (see bills)
• Bodywork professionally restored

"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.

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 365 GTB/4 'Daytona' for straight-line performance - its top speed was around 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. 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 This was used in 4.7-litre form up to 1970 when it was superseded by the 4.9-litre 'SS' version in order to meet ever more stringent emissions laws.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.

Testing a 4.7-litre model in 1968, Car & Driver recorded a standing quarter-mile time of 14.9 seconds with a terminal speed of 97mph: "But quarter-mile drags were never meant to be the Ghibli's forte, it's a GT car (with a claimed 174mph top speed) and it's doubtful that you'll find a more comfortable car – or one easier to drive at high speeds. Put your foot to the wood and there is an audible gasp from the engine compartment as the four big Weber carburettors begin sucking in additional air, and at the same instant you are slammed back in the seat as the car surges forward."

Ghibli production ceased in 1973 after approximately 1,149 coupé and 125 spyder models had been built. 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 50 years ago.

This manual transmission Ghibli SS was originally built to US specifications, as evidenced by a plate in the engine compartment and a Texas Department of Public Safety sticker in the windscreen. It is not known when the Maserati returned to Europe, but documentation on file shows Bernard Fornas purchased it from The Gallery (Aaldering Classic & Sportscars Brummen) on 15th September 2014. The odometer reading at that time was 45,599 miles and is currently 47,956, indicating a mere 2,357 miles covered in the last 11 years. Accompanying paperwork also includes a Maserati Certificate of Origin; copies of registration documents and DEKRA Contrôles Techniques; insurance documents; numerous bills for extensive maintenance, many issued by Cecil Cars, Ollainville; and a selection of photographs documenting a bodywork restoration.