1973 Maserati Bora 4.9-Litre Coupé

•Delivered new to Los Angeles, USA
•Registered in France

"For a man who wants the last word in sports cars, a mid-engined machine is essential. Racing single-seaters are built to this configuration and so the mid-engined car must be right!

"It is thus of great interest that the famous Maserati firm, which has tended to be somewhat conservative in recent years, has now placed an advanced mid-engined coupé on the market." – John Bolster, Autosport.

The highlight of the 1971 Geneva Salon was undoubtedly the sensational new Maserati Bora. With the Bora's introduction, the great Modenese manufacturer followed other supercar constructors in going mid-engined while at the same time abandoning its traditional tubular chassis technology in favour of unitary construction. Named after an Adriatic wind, the Bora was the work of Giorgetto Giugiaro's Ital Design, at least as far as its bodyshell was concerned; the mid-mounted engine was Maserati's familiar four-cam V8 in 4.7-litre form, the five-speed transaxle came from ZF and the all-independent double-wishbone suspension was penned by Giulio Alfieri, co-designer of the legendary 250F Formula 1 Grand Prix car. One of the first 'new generation' models to appear following Maserati's acquisition by Citroën, the Bora used the latter's hydraulic technology to adjust seats and pedals, raise the headlamps, and operate the excellent power-assisted brakes. A slippery shape plus 310bhp made for a very fast car - top speed was over 160mph (258km/h) - and the Bora had acceleration, handling and braking to match. The subsequent 4.9-litre version was even faster.

By January 1976, Maserati's management apparently had discussed shelving the Bora but later that year decided to continue. Only some 25 Boras were made that year, and the total produced was 564, the 4.7/4.9-litre split being 289/235. The type was finally phased out in 1979.

Motor magazine concluded its March 1973 Road test thus: "The Bora impressed us as one of the best and most civilized mid-engined exotics we've tried, better developed than most of its ilk and immensely rewarding to drive, especially to drive fast on cross-country roads." What more could any enthusiast want? The Bora was a stunning supercar by any standards, both then and now.

Finished in red (originally Verde Pino) with a white leather interior, this example was delivered new to the Maserati dealership in Los Angeles. The car is offered with French registration papers; an expertise report; a copy of the service booklet; and Maserati Classiche technical and aesthetic characteristics certificate.