1967→1970 Maserati Ghibli

A true thoroughbred GT, it was powered by a 4.7 litre engine developing 315 hp. The dry-sump twincam V8 engine with four twin-choke carburettors differed from that used in the Mexico and Quattroporte of the same period, which followed a wet sump design. The model was originally devised as a two-seater, despite being 4.69 metres long and having a wheelbase of 2.55 metres. The Ghibli did become a 2+2 for production.

The chassis featured simple yet effective cart-sprung rear suspension, also found on the Quattroporte II which was introduced at the same time. The project was principally overseen by Engineer Alfieri and it was unveiled at the Turin Motor Show in late 1966 on the Ghia stand, with deliveries starting in March of the following year. The steel bodies (with an alloy bonnet) were manufactured by Vignale.

Named after an Egyptian desert storm wind, the Ghibli had another fantastic asset in its striking visual appearance, and it could easily have sold itself based on looks alone. Its dramatic styling was the work of a young Giorgetto Giugiaro, at that time working for the Ghia studio in Turin. Giugiaro himself describes it this way: “A very striking, long, flat bonnet, full-width radiator grille, pop-up headlights, a sharply angled windscreen, wide squat sidelights that ended in a vertical segment, and very clean flanks even though the coach-line did have lots of movement to it. The rear end was high for aerodynamic efficiency as well as functional reasons (the two fuel tanks lie behind the rear axle and have a very raised neck).”

Henry Ford II was so impressed by the Ghibli that he reportedly approached the Orsi family with an offer to buy the company from them. Other notable owners included Sammy Davis junior, Peter Sellers and Jean-Paul Belmondo.

Fron 1969 to 1973 Maserati offered an updated Model known as the SS. The engine included a new dry sump design had been devised in order to best accommodate the low bonnet line of Giugiaro’s sleek coupé, and was later used for the very same reason on the Khamsin. Horsepower was up to 335 which guaranteed a top speed of 280 kph (175 mph). This turned the Ghibli SS into the fastest Maserati road car in production. Prodigious braking performance came from the to twin-servo assisted ventilated discs with three pistons per calliper.

The equipment level was worthy of such a thoroughbred GT with adjustable steering column, anti-theft steering lock, leather upholstery, tinted & electric windows, reclining seats with head rests, heated rear windscreen, dashboard clock and even air conditioning were all came as standard

Specification listed for the SS model.

In Detail

submitted by	Richard Owen
type	Series Production Car
production years	1967 – 1970
built at	Italy
body stylist	Giorgetto Giugiaro
engine	90° V8
position	Front, Longitudinal
aspiration	Natural
ignition	Bosch Distributor & Coil
valvetrain	DOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl
fuel feed	4 Weber 42 DCNF/11 Carburetors
displacement	4719 cc / 287.97 in³
power	249.8 kw / 335 bhp
specific output	70.99 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	200.6 bhp per tonne
body / frame	Steel Body over Tubular Steel Frame
driven wheels	RWD
wheel type	Magnesium Alloy
front tires	Pirelli HS 205 VR 15
rear tires	Pirelli HS 205 VR 15
front brakes	Ventilated Discs
rear brakes	Ventilated Discs
front wheels	F 38.1 x 19.1 cm / 15 x 7.5 in
rear wheels	R 38.1 x 19.1 cm / 15 x 7.5 in
steering	Worm & Sector
f suspension	Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Telescopic Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar
curb weight	1670 kg / 3681 lbs
wheelbase	2550 mm / 100.4 in
front track	1440 mm / 56.7 in
rear track	1420 mm / 55.9 in
length	4690 mm / 184.6 in
width	1790 mm / 70.5 in
height	1160 mm / 45.7 in
transmission	ZF 5-Speed Manual
tran clutch	Single Dry Plate
gear ratios	2.97:1, 1.92:1, 1.34:1, 1.00:1, 0.90:1
top speed	~284.79 kph / 177 mph
fuel capacity	100 litres or 26.40 gal.

Auction Sales History

1967 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Coupe AM115.078 – sold for $198,000 Remarkable Early Production Ghibli with Rare Features. Elegant Giugiaro-Designed Ghia Coachwork. Stored for Years Prior to a 2015 Freshening by RMB Garage of Stockton, California. Well-Presented Example Retaining Matching-Numbers Engine. A Cornerstone of Maserati’s Modern GT Legend
Auction Source: The Pebble Beach Auctions 2015 by Gooding and Company

1970 Maserati Ghibli 4.7-Litre Coupé AM 115 922 – sold for €218,500 A restoration was carried out at the Straight Eight and Vintage & Sports Cars workshops in Austria and would be a lengthy process, eventually finished in 2008. This was a complete ‘body off’ rebuild, which included bodywork repairs and all new window glass in correct green; re-plating all the original chrome trim; completely overhauling the chassis with new dampers and ‘as new’ steering mechanism; and replacing all bushes, seals, rubbers, etc. Originally finished in Polo Park White with black interior, the car was repainted in Maserati dark blue and completely re-trimmed in bright Magnolia leather.

Auction Source: 2015 Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais

1967 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 AM115.090 – sold for $385,000 The ex-Bobbie Gentry, Amelia Island Concours Award winning Ghibli. Show-winning, exceptional nut-and-bolt restoration. *Owned new by country singer Bobbie Gentry. 2014 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Award winner. US-delivery model with desirable 5-speed transmission .Offered with extensive restoration file.
Auction Source: 2014 Quail Lodge Auction by Bonhams

1967 Maserati Ghibli ‘SS-Specification’ Coupe AM115062 – sold for $170,500 The example offered here was restored over a six-year period, with more than $200,000 being spent on the restoration, which was under the care of Maserati expert Carlos Maduro. During this time, it was converted to the most desirable SS specification, with an enlarged V-8 that could produce 335 horsepower. It was finished in a very Italian shade of red, and it features a fresh tan-and-black leather interior, a wood steering wheel, and gaugesthat were rebuilt by Palo Alto Speedometer, as well as a rebuilt factory air-conditioning unit.

Auction Source: 2014 Arizona by RM Auctions

1970 Maserati Ghibli AM115/1476 – sold for $162,250 Ideally Specified Mid-Series Ghibli.Sophisticated Presentation of a Classic 1960s Design. Matching-Numbers Example with ZF Five Speed. Highly Awarded Professional Restoration. Best in Class and Best of Marque at Concorso Italiano. Offered with Books, Tools, and Factory documentation. Ideal Entry for Rallies and Driving Events.
Auction Source: The 2013 Scottsdale Auctions by Gooding & Company

Sammy Davis Jr,1968 Maserati Ghibli Berlinetta AM115578 – sold for €79,350 This Ghibli was originally purchased new by the legendary entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. as documented by a letter from the Maserati Club with the car. Davis was known for a love of cars, he was a regular client of George Barris and at any one time carried a burgeoning garage. A contemporary Ebony magazine article in the 1970s shows him poised on the running board of his replica Duesenberg surrounded with a host of contemporary automobiles,although the Ghibli is not one of those featured. His chosen livery was precisely the guise in which the car remains. Today the yellow paint and black interior are both in exceptionally fine order following a comprehensive and fully documented rebuild more than a decade ago. 10 years ago this Maserati was awarded the prize for Best Italian Sports Car at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance. In addition to the file detailing the work carried out, nice additions to its package are a period handbook and parts book.

Auction Source: The Paris Sale 2012 by Bonhams

1968 Maserati Ghibli AM115578 – sold for $82,500 This 1968 Maserati Ghibli is stunning in its bright yellow livery with a black leather interior, the colors in which it was delivered when new by a California-based dealer to legendary entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr., its first owner. It has been comprehensively restored to better than new condition, earning it the award for Best Italian Sports Car at the 2001 Greenwich Concours. Today, the Ghibli remains stunning, with the paint, chrome, glass,

, rubber body seals and upholstery all as-new or better. In addition to the Campagnolo alloy wheels shod with high performance but period Avon tires, features include a Blaupunkt stereo system and a Borg-Warner three-speed automatic transmission, which was a rare original option on the Ghibli.

As offered, the Ghibli is complete with a thick restoration binder containing many photos, as well as the original owner’s manual, a parts book and a letter from the Maserati Club confirming its famous first owner. Clearly, this former concours winner remains stunning and offers the opportunity to experience its stellar handling, blistering performance and user-friendly drivability.

Auction Source: RM Auctions’ 2010 Sports & Classics of Monterey

1967 Maserati 4.7 Ghibli Coupe 115732 – sold for $107,250 One of only 1,149 examples produced, the 1967 Maserati Ghibli offered here is a beautiful example that appears to be in excellent overall condition. The current owner reports that it has been exceptionally maintained to the highest levels in climate-controlled storage. Finished in yellow with a black restored leather interior, it has the desirable five-speed manual transmission, dual side-view mirrors, alloy wheels and a wood steering wheel.
Auction Source: RM Auctions’ 2010 Sports & Classics of Monterey