One of 970 Merak SS models produced, and one of 312 built for the US market
Desirable Bora-style dashboard specification with Veglia gauges
Comprehensive nut and bolt restoration completed in 2024 at a Maserati Classiche certified workshop
Accompanied by Maserati Classiche certificate of specification and end-of-production-line sheet
Registered in Poland with classic registration papers
The Appeal
Introduced in 1975 with larger Weber carburettors and a higher compression ratio than the standard Merak, the SS delivered 220 horsepower from its 3.0-litre V6 through a five-speed manual transaxle shared with the V8-powered Bora. Post-1977 examples fitted with the Bora-style dashboard are particularly sought after, replacing the earlier Citroën-derived instruments with Maserati's own driver-focused layout and Veglia gauges. It's believed just over 300 of them featured the wrap-around Bora layout.
This 1978 example underwent a sizeable restoration completed in 2024 at MBL, a Maserati Classiche-certified workshop. The work, supported by invoices totalling approximately €85,000, encompassed a full engine and gearbox rebuild, a respray in black, a complete interior retrim in Argento (silver) leather with new dashboard covers, and thorough attention to all electrical and mechanical systems.
The car is accompanied by a documentation package that includes Maserati Classiche production papers, a certificate of specification signed by Maserati, the end-of-production-line sheet confirming original specification, and full restoration invoices. A roadworthiness inspection completed in May 2026 returned no warnings or advisory items, according to the vendor. DSC00294.jpg7.14 MB
History and Paperwork
1978 model originally delivered to the US market
Now registered in Poland with valid Polish classic registration papers
Odometer shows 62,400 km
Restoration invoices totalling approximately €85,000 included
Maserati Classiche certificate of specification signed by Maserati
End of production line sheet confirming original factory specification
Multiple Maserati period brochures
Handbook
Two keys
Selection of historic documents including previous registration documents
Roadworthiness inspection completed in May 2026; the vendor reports no warnings or advisory items were noted
Bodywork resprayed into Argento (Silver) as part of the 2024 restoration
New leather upholstery in black
New dashboard covers fitted and all dials refreshed; the vendor reports all are in working order
Retains its original Saint Gobain Securit glass
Original Campagnolo cast wheels retained
Padded three-spoke steering wheel and Bora-style driver-oriented dashboard with Veglia gauges
New modernised air conditioning system fitted
2+2 cabin configuration
The Merak's wedge-shaped profile is achingly cool. Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign brought the Bora into a buttressed, sleek and rather imposing machine. Pop-up headlights, a low profile and great big Campagnolo cast wheels made for a retro-futurist piece of machinery that felt muscular and impressive.
This example, having been resprayed in Argento (Silver) during its extensive restoration, is a fine ambassador - straight, solid and beautifully built with the wheels and Saint Gobain glass retained. It's a handsome example that feels clean and well-presented, although still eminently a driver's car.
Internally, the upholstery has been fully restored in black, with the attractive, driver-focused 'wrap-around' dash all present and correct, with instruments clean and legible and everything working as it should. In some cases, such as the modernised air conditioning, it's even better than it would have been from the factory. DSC00584 — kopia.jpg6.76 MB
The Mechanics
2,970cc 90-degree V6 engine producing 220 horsepower in SS specification
Triple Weber DCNF 44 carburettors with 9:1 compression ratio
5-speed synchronised manual transaxle
Independent suspension all around
Engine and gearbox overhauled, with approximately 1,000 km covered since
Carburettors rebuilt during restoration
New fuel tanks, fuel pump and fuel lines installed
New brakes fitted
New water pump fitted
The vendor reports the car runs and drives well
With 220hp on tap and an advertised top speed of 155mph, the Merak SS is still remarkably charismatic and exciting. Not many cars were achieving this sort of performance in-era, and for the discerning motorist, it's bound to prove a very rewarding classic.
This example has undergone plenty of mechanical work and is reportedly running well. The engine bay certainly looks in fine order, and the rebuild has been catalogued accordingly. It's the sort of performance and analogue power that's difficult to replicate in the modern day, and only gets more desirable as the motoring world moves further into digitised tech and electrical hardware. DSC00388 — kopia.jpg8.59 MB BEFORE YOU BUY
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