Beschreibung:

The Maserati Bora is a two-seater coupé powered by a 4.7 or 4.9 litre V8 engine mounted amidships and produced from 1971 to 1978 with a top speed of a massive 177mph. Shortly after Citroën took a controlling interest in Maserati in 1968, the concept of a mid-engined two-seat sports car was proposed. Lamborghini and De Tomaso already had the Miura and Mangusta whilst Ferrari were known to be developing their own mid-engined contender. Initially known as Tipo 117, and later the Bora, the Maserati project got underway in October 1968 and a prototype was on the road by the summer of 1969. Shown in its final form at the Geneva Salon in March 1971 and sporting the timeless Giorgetto Giugiaro design. This Bora, a 1978 model, was an original export to the USA and believed to be one of the last 25 built. The highest car number found in the US was 1046 with this example numbering 1040. 235 of the 524 cars built were fitted, as this car, with the more desirable 4.9 litre engine, however, it seems that this option was only introduced for the European Bora in late 1976. The vendor of this Bora is a chartered engineer and the ex-Chairman of the Maserati Club. He has owned Maserati's since 1974 and in addition to the Bora, his dehumidified garages house another three 'Tridents'. ULO 111R has been in his ownership since 1989 when he imported it directly from the USA. At that time, it had a recorded mileage of 17,847 which is almost certainly correct. Since then it has covered a further 29,500 miles giving a total mileage of c 47,000 at the time of sale. On arrival in the UK, this car was converted back to European specification with the exception of the silencer location and the rubber bumpers, which were relocated. At this time, new stainless steel manifolds and exhaust were also fitted. These works, and indeed all major servicing work, were undertaken by Bill McGrath Maserati of Kimpton, Hertfordshire. Andy Heywood of Bill McGrath's knows this car well and a full service, fresh MoT test certificate and condition report will be prepared by Andy's team immediately prior to the auction. In 1995/96 the chassis and body were fully restored in the vendor's workshop. He employed a suitably skilled person to do this work, under his supervision with a photographic record documenting this work. Other modifications and improvements carried out included a completely re-designed fuel system to prevent fuel vaporization which had been a constant if intermittent problem. Hatches were made in the firewall behind the seats to provide access to the front of the engine. This Bora is a well cared for and mechanically accomplished motor car. With the 4.9 litre engine, this car not only represents sound investment potential, but is also hugely exhilarating to use.