Beschreibung
Maserati Ghibli - the most beautiful and most expensive Gran Turismo of the late sixties. When Maserati styling is discussed, one usually means the Maserati Ghibli, the masterpiece by Giorgetto Giugiaro. Long bonnet, flowing lines, large window areas, short rear end – maximised elegance made this design immortal. Even today the Ghibli convinces with its intoxicating beauty, but ***** only with that. The Ghibli has classic sports car proportions, a long bonnet, a short passenger cabin, a snappy rear, pop-up headlights and the bumpers used as styling devices. Yes, today it perhaps looks even more timeless than all its rivals – or? This wonderful form, lattice frame – and a V8, which was among the finest of its day. It first arrived with 4. 7 litres of displacement and was a direct descendant of the racing machine that from 1956 powered the legendary 450S and later the wonderful 5000 GT. Light alloy block and heads, four overhead camshafts, four Weber down-draught double carburettors (40 DCNL 5). It existed in a similar form also in the Quattroporte, but there the Italians did without dry-sump lubrication; this was also necessary for the Ghibli because otherwise the flat front ***** could not have been realised. In the first version 330 PS were measured, from 1970 there was then the SS 5000, which had 4. 9 litres displacement and a solid 335 PS, each at 5500/ min. Good torque, 440 Nm at 4000/ min with the 4700, 480 Nm then with the SS 5000 guaranteed relaxed driving. The sound of a Ghibli still today ranks among the finest music in the automotive world, somewhere between the American V8 rumble and the typically Italian scream. And: the Ghibli’s engine proved considerably more durable than the V12 of its rivals, long motorway journeys at high speeds were possible. Shifting was via a 5‑speed ZF gearbox. Only in the design of the rear suspension were they perhaps a touch too conservative. For the use of a Salisbury live axle with leaf springs Maserati’s makers were criticised. In operation the comparatively simple construction hardly caused drawbacks, was comfortable, very quiet and could even deter customers from buying the sports car. Though the Ghibli was often available in red and yellow, many customers preferred to order their coupe in metallic colours that emphasised the lines even more. Our Coupe was ** in built and was painted at the factory in red. In the course of restoration the current owner completely stripped the body and had it painted in the wonderful metallic colour. Matching leather from Connolly was used in that colour. Together with Wilton wool carpet in the coordinating colour, a harmonious tone‑on‑tone combination results. This colour combination suits the Ghibli splendidly and fully showcases the stunning design. Its rivals were the Ferrari 330 GTC, the 275 GTB (and later the 365 GTB Daytona) and the Lamborghini 350 GT/ 400 GT. The Lamborghini Miura belonged to a different category, too close to being a racecar was its mid‑engine concept. The Ghibli never aimed to be a racecar; it is committed to the classic grand tourer. Accordingly its engine is in front, it has enough luggage space for longer journeys and you can also enter as a *****‑acrobat into the car. Large drivers fit comfortably in the car, the seats and seating position are very comfortable, the cockpit is flooded with light thanks to the large glass surfaces. Giugiaro, chief designer of Ghia in the mid‑Sixties, designed the Maserati Ghibli in about three months. He thereby created a timeless beauty that influenced other vehicles for decades to come. He could, however, also draw from the full. 1. 8 metres wide, 1. 16 metres high and 4. 59 metres long form a good basis for an elegant and dynamic line, especially when you do not have to think about utility for too long. But hardly anyone else used these possibilities as well as Giugiaro. The Ghibli was shown for the first time in November 1966 at the Turin Motor Show. Automobil Revue wrote at the time: "The newcomer from the house of the Trident Neptune is a prestige car with two seats, which was dressed in a sensational manner by Ghia. The base is the shortened chassis of the Maserati Mexico with a wheelbase of 255 cm. The drive unit was the 4. 7‑litre V8 engine, which with its four camshafts delivers 330 DIN‑PS. To reduce the height of the front section, they switched to dry‑sump lubrication. The smooth surfaces of the harmonious body give the model christened the 'Ghibli' (desert wind) the necessary optical racing edge. The Maserati Ghibli counts among the prettiest models shown in Turin."
