1972 Maserati Merak
The Maserati Merak was produced from 1972, when it was introduced at the Paris Auto Salon, until 1983. During this time two special models were made, the Merak SS and the Merak 2000 GT. The SS was built as a high-performance version of the car. It had a ZF gearbox and tuned engine. The 2000 GT was built specifically for the Italian market. It featured a detuned engine built to cope with high taxes.
At the center of the Merak is a quad-cam V6. It is mounted just before the rear wheels much like the maserati Bora. Infact, the Merak is a derivative of the Bora, sharing the same wheelbase, front-end and braking system. .
Unlike the Bora, the Merak has a completely redesigned rear end. Giogetto Giugiaro’s design is clean and simple. The engine sits below and entirely flat hood which makes for good rear-ward vision. Two non-structural, butresses help carry the roofline over the rear of car.
The engine itself is the same power unit used in the Citroen SM. Infact, due to a union between the Maserati and Citroen, the Merak uses many Citroen components. The instruments, brakes, single-spoke steering wheel and transmission are entirely Citroen. Infact, the mechanicals found in the rear of the car are more Citoroen than Bora based.
Back in the early seventies, demand was growing for Automakers to make smaller cars. Emissions limits and pollution taxes were starting to to sculpt the sports-car market. This explains the move to the smal V6 engine and the motivation behind the Merak 2000 GT. In 1972, Maserati and Citroen created a contem
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| built at | Italy |
| price $ | $ 20,000 |
| engine | Citroen, 90º V6 |
| position | Mid-Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| valvetrain | DOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | 3 Weber 42DCNF |
| displacement | 2965 cc / 180.9 in³ |
| bore | 91.6 mm / 3.61 in |
| stroke | 75 mm / 2.95 in |
| compression | 9.1:1 |
| power | 141.7 kw / 190.0 bhp @ 6000 rpm |
| specific output | 64.08 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 130.76 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 254.89 nm / 188.0 ft lbs @ 4000 rpm |
| body / frame | Unitary Steel Monocoque |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| wheel type | Cast Alloy |
| front tires | 185/70VR15 Michelin XWX |
| rear tires | 205/70VR15 Michelin XWX |
| front brakes | Girling Ventilated Discs |
| rear brakes | Citroen Solid Discs |
| 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 | Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Telescopic Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar |
| r suspension | Doble Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Telescopic Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar |
| curb weight | 1453 kg / 3200 lbs |
| weight distro | 42 % / 58 % |
| wheelbase | 2600 mm / 102.4 in |
| front track | 1474 mm / 58.0 in |
| rear track | 1447 mm / 57.0 in |
| length | 4335 mm / 170.7 in |
| width | 1768 mm / 69.6 in |
| height | 1134 mm / 44.6 in |
| transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | 2.92:1, 1.94:1, 1.32:1, 0.94:1, 0.73:1 |
| final drive | 4.85:1 |
| top speed | ~217.3 kph / 135.0 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~9.0 seconds |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~26.0 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~16.5 seconds |
| fuel capacity | 87.06 litres or 23 gal. |
Auction Sales History
1977 Maserati Merak SS – sold for €44,080
The car on sale has been in the capable hands of its owner since 1989 and was restored in 2004. Parts were ordered from Campana in Modena, the dealer closest to the plant. The odometer shows 23,000km and is equipped with air conditioning. This is the rarer SS version and since the 3.0-litre engine was rebuilt, the car has covered only 5,000km, says the owner. The paint has been redone and the edges of the waistline have been softened to bring the lines of the car closer to that of the Bora. The chroming of the bumpers from origin gives a very beautiful effect. The wheel rims are bolt-on specials by the talented racer Claude Svelig and they are shod with Michelin XWXs. The windshield is tinted and is new. The black leather upholstery has been redone in the excellent workshops of Antoine. And the car does not have the complicated and troublesome Citroën hydraulic system. This beautiful Maserati Merak SS with its lovely Ital Design-Giugiaro designed body is rare and underrated, but will surely provide its new owner hours of pleasure at the wheel.
Auction Source: 2012 Artcurial Motorcars à Rétromobile
