Beschreibung:

For more than 30 years Count Dönhoff has campaigned his stable of historic Maserati cars – 150S, A6GCS, the ex-Prince Bira 250F Grand Prix monoposto - and for 25 years his famous 450S sports-racer - on the racetracks of Europe. After retiring from active racing the Count found this road-going Ghibli Spyder SS to be an ideal substitute for his 450S. A strong contender for the ‘most handsome car of the 1960s’ title, Maserati’s sensational Ghibli debuted at the Turin Motor Show in November 1966. Styled at Carrozzeria Ghia by Giorgetto Giugiaro and named after a Sahara Desert wind, the Ghibli rivalled the Ferrari Daytona for straight-line performance - its top speed was close to 170mph (275km/h) - while beating it for price and - arguably - looks. More than 7 metres long and 2.8 metres wide, the Ghibli occupied an inordinate amount of space for a mere two-seater, but perhaps the most startling aspect of its appearance was the height, or rather the lack of it. Dry-sump lubrication enabled the engine to be mounted deep in the chassis, permitting a low bonnet line, while limited suspension travel ensured that the tyres did not foul the wheelarches. The roofline fell away from the top of the steeply raked windscreen to the chopped-off tail, Giugario thus achieving a cabin lower than that of almost all the Ghibli's contemporaries. The Ghibli used a tubular steel chassis featuring independent suspension at the front, while at the rear there was a leaf-sprung, live rear axle with single locating arm. The power unit was Maserati’s venerable four-cam, 90-degree V8, an engine derived from that of the 450S sports-racer and first seen in road-going guise in the 5000GT. This was used in dry-sump, 4.7-litre form up to 1970 when it was superseded by the 4.9-litre ‘SS’ version. Power rose to 355bhp and performance was stunning, with 100mph (160km/h) attainable in under 16 seconds. Even more sensational was the handsome Ghibli Spyder, launched in 1969 and the direct rival of the Ferrari Daytona Spyder. Giugiaro’s styling for an open-top Ghibli was arguably more successful than the original coupé and is regarded as a classic of sports car design. Ghibli production ended in 1973 after 1,149 coupés and only 125 Spyders has been built. Of the latter, probably no more than 40 had the larger SS engine, and as most of these were destined for the USA it is safe to assume that only 20-or-so Spyders left the factory with both the larger engine and ZF five-speed manual gearbox, chassis number ‘1265’ – that is offered here - being one of these ultra-desirable rarities. The car comes with various (copy) Maserati factory and Maserati Club build sheets indicating that it was despatched new to Grossman Motor Cars Corporation of Nyack, NY, USA on 1st September 1971 equipped with power steering and (Borrani) wire wheels. In January 2004 the Ghibli was acquired by its titled owner, who advises us that it is in good running condition. At time of acquisition the car had almost certainly covered fewer than 1,000 kilometres since its engine had been rebuilt by marque specialist Franco Tralli in Modena. Finished in black with beige leather interior, the car comes with comes with the aforementioned documentation and UK Swansea V5 document. A rare and well preserved example of Maserati’s answer to the Ferrari Daytona, offered in its ultimate specification. Pendant plus de 30 ans, le comte Dönhoff a couru avec son écurie de Maserati historiques – 150S, A6GCS, monoplace 250F ex Prince Bira et 450S sport-compétition – sur tous les circuits d’Europe. Après avoir abandonné la compétition active, le comte estima que la Ghibli SS Spyder serait une remplaçante idéale de sa 450S. L’usine ne fabriqua que 125 Spyder contre 1 149 coupés et probablement pas plus de 40 Spyder reçurent le moteur SS de cylindrée supérieure, la plupart étant exportés aux USA. On peut sans risque d’erreur estimer qu’une vingtaine seulement de Spyder quittèrent l’usine équipés du gros moteur et de la boîte m