1971→1978 Maserati Bora

Powered by Maserati’s proven 90° V8, the Bora was a true supercar which promised 170 mph performance. It was Maerati’s first mid-engine car and debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March of 1971. Not long afterward, Maserati went into full production of this car which introduced many new ideas to the Maserati brand.

After the success of the Ghibli, Maserati once again turned to Giorgetto Giugiaro and his newly founded Italdesign studio to style the new model named after a brisk breeze off of the Eastern Adriatic coast. Pietro Frua also submitted a full-size mock-up, but Giugiaro’s proposal proved to better encapsulate the modern era whilst concurrently fitting in harmoniously with other models in the range. The bodies were produced in Modena by Officine Padane. The 5-speed ZF gearbox was mounted in a sub-frame together with the rear suspension.

With Maserati now under Citroën ownership, the Bora made use of the French manufacturer’s hydrualic system that operated the brakes, pop-up headlamps, driver seat and the adjustable pedal block. The 310 hp output (300 hp in America due to restrictions on emissions) permitted a top speed of 260 km/h (162 mph). At the end of 1971 Giugiaro presented a seminal concept car based on the Bora: the Boomerang.

564 Boras rolled of the production line in eight years, nearly half of them in the 4.9 guise. Amongst original Bora owners was long-time Maserati customer Karim Aga Khan and movie producer Carlo Ponti, Sophia Loren’s husband.

A racing version of the Bora was developed in 1973 following the French importer Thepenier’s request to compete in Group Four, but at that time – and after extracting over 430 hp from the car – Maserati could not reach the production figure of 500 cars required to obtain its homologation. The oil crisis, combined with new tax restrictions passed by the Italian government, had, in effect, significantly reduced the market for such high performance cars. Production of the Bora stopped in 1978.

In Detail

submitted by	Richard Owen
type	Series Production Car
production years	1971 – 1978
released at	1971 Geneva Motor SHow
built at	Italy
body stylist	Giorgetto Giugiaro
coachbuilder	Italdesign
production	564
price $	$ 25,500
engine	90° V8
position	Mid, Longitudinal
aspiration	Natural
ignition	Bosch Coil
valvetrain	DOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl
fuel feed	4 Weber 42 DCNF Carburetors
displacement	4930 cc / 300.85 in³
bore	93.9 mm / 3.7 in
stroke	89 mm / 3.5 in
compression	8.05:1
power	246.1 kw / 330 bhp @ 5500 rpm
specific output	66.94 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	203.83 bhp per tonne
torque	440.6 nm / 325.0 ft lbs @ 4000 rpm
body / frame	Unit Steel
driven wheels	Mid Engine / RWD
front tires	205/70 VR 15 Michelin
rear tires	215/70 VR 15 Michelin
front brakes	Ventilated Discs w/ Vacuum Assisted
rear brakes	Ventilated Discs w/ Vacuum Assisted
front wheels	F 38.1 x 19.0 cm / 15.0 x 7.5 in
rear wheels	R 38.1 x 19.0 cm / 15.0 x 7.5 in
steering	Rack & Pinion
f suspension	Coil Springs, Telescopic Shock Absorbers, Stabiliser Bar
r suspension	Coil Springs, Telescopic Shock Absorbers, Stabiliser Bar
curb weight	1619 kg / 3569 lbs
wheelbase	2600 mm / 102.4 in
front track	1474 mm / 58.0 in
rear track	1447 mm / 57.0 in
length	4355 mm / 171.5 in
width	1768 mm / 69.6 in
height	1134 mm / 44.6 in
transmission	ZF 5-Speed Manual
gear ratios	2.58:1, 1.52:1, 1.04:1, 0.846:1, 0.74:1
final drive	3.77:1
top speed	~284.79 kph / 177 mph
0 – 60 mph	~6.6 seconds
fuel capacity	90 litres or 23.76 gal.

Auction Sales History

1973 Maserati Bora 4.9 AM117/49.594 – sold for $176,000 Completed in Maserati’s Modena workshop in July of 1973 finished in the same combination Black paint over Tan leather interior. Highly original car throughout. Retains its original Blaupunkt radio, wheels, manuals; copies of the factory build sheets, and jack kit.
Auction Source: 2015 Quail Lodge Auction by Bonhams

1974 Maserati Bora 4.9 AM117-49/US 688 – sold for $181,500 Factory-Documented, US-Specification 4.9 Model. One of Only 275 4.9-Liter Examples Produced. Accompanied by Original Books, Tools, and Jack. Complete with Maserati Classiche Documentation. Striking Black Finish with Original Senape Leather.
Auction Source: The 2015 Amelia Island Auction by Gooding & Company

1978 Maserati Bora 4.9 AM 117/49-US 960 – sold for $132,000 One of only 564 Boras produced between 1971 and 1980. Late production 4.9-liter example. Offered from long-term California ownership. Very original car throughout. A rare and underappreciated Italian thoroughbred.
Auction Source: The Scottsdale Auction 2015 by Bonhams

1973 Maserati Bora 4.9 AM117/49*588* – sold for $264,000 A Rare and Exotic Maserati Supercar. Factory-Documented US-Specification 4.9 Model. One of Only 275 4.9-Liter Examples Produced. Accompanied by Books, Tools, and Maserati Classiche Documents. Well-Kept Professional Restoration.
Auction Source: The Scottsdale Auctions 2015 by Gooding & Company

1974 Maserati Bora Coupe 5-Speed – sold for $41,000 Described by Road & Track magazine as “strikingly handsome, clean and slightly brutal-looking,” the Bora coupe was Maserati’s first foray into the Seventies supercar sweepstakes and, with its race-proven 4-cam V-8, 5-speed transmission and comfortable cockpit, remains one of the most attractive of that breed to this day. A nice driving all-original car with some new paint and an attractive contrasting stainless steel roof and White-on-Black interior, this rare Red 1974 U.S. coupe features a rebuilt transmission and mechanicals.
Auction Source: 2011 Monterey Daytime Auction by Mecum

977 Maserati Bora Coupe Barn Find with 978 miles – sold for $92,500 Completing this astounding trio is yet another timeless Italian exotic, a 1977 Maserati Bora 4.9. Maserati’s first mid-engine supercar, the Bora features Giorgetto Giugiaro’s famous wedge-shaped design, whose aerodynamics enabled a top speed of over 170 MPH, helped in no small part by a powerful 4.9 liter V-8 backed by a 5-speed ZF gearbox. But the most amazing feature in this case the fact that it has been driven a mere 900 miles. Documentwith the original factory window sticker, it was purchased new at Randy’s Motors of Clifton, New Jersey for the then-princely sum of $38,940 and delivered to its new home in Baltimore. Thirty years of dust have been swept away to reveal the car’s luminous original Blue Metallic finish and immaculate Black leather cockpit.

Entirely original, almost perfectly preserved and virtually untouched: like its Ferrari stable mates, this incredible Maserati Bora may be the definitive example of its kind.
Auction Source: 2011 Monterey Daytime Auction by Mecum

 

1975 Maserati Bora Coupe – sold for $60,500 Just 564 Boras were built from 1971 to 1980, with 275, including this car, powered by the 4.9-liter engine. Benefiting from single ownership since the 1970s and from the first year of 4.9-liter availability, this 1975 Bora is nicely presented throughout and features a highly desirable red-on-black color scheme. With only about 24,000 miles, this corrosion-free example benefits from a new water pump, and marque experts have freshly rebuilt the hydraulics.
Auction Source: 2011 Monterey Auction by RM

 

1975 Maserati Bora Coupe AM117US920 – sold for $60,500 One of 564 built from 1971-1980 and one of 275 with 4.9-liter V-8. A landmark Giorgetto Giugiaro design. Freshly rebuilt hydraulics and new water pump; desirable colors. Only 24,000 miles, rust-free, single ownership since the 1970s
Auction Source: 2011 Monterey Auction by RM

1975 Maserati Bora – sold for $48,400 Finished in blue with a contrasting white interior, this Bora retains its original engine and includes power steering. It was restored during the mid-1990s, and since 2000, it was driven approximately 200 miles each year. It has been updated over the succeeding years, with the brakes and hydraulics having been replaced in 2001, among various other improvements. From 2003 to 2009, the Bora was displayed at the Lane Motor Museum and maintained

under museum quality conditions.

Auction Source: 2010 Vintage Cars of Meadow Book by RM Auctions