1970 Maserati Ghibli SS

• Manufactured in 1970 as one of just 12 right-hand drive examples of the Ghibli SS
• Supplied new to the dry climate of Australia the car was first registered in the UK in 1990
• Between 2000 and 2005 it formed part of Maserati UK's Heritage Collection
• The history file includes invoices for significant sums over the decades by Bill McGrath
• Copy build sheets and letters from Maserati together with handbooks are also included
• Showing an odometer reading of 61,500 (atoc) the car presents beautifully with a mellowed interior.
• Far rarer than its contemporary rivals this car offers classic Italian styling and serious performance.

Maserati's Ghibli debuted in coupe form 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 with a top speed approaching 170mph. 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 wheel arches. The roofline fell away from the top of the steeply raked windscreen to the chopped-off tail, Giugiaro thus achieving a cabin lower than that of almost all the Ghibli's contemporaries. The car was serious competition for Ferrari's Daytona and Lamborghini's Espada.

The Ghibli used a shortened version of the Quattroporte saloon's tubular steel chassis in its live rear axle form. In preference to the more complex suspension designs favoured by its rivals, the Ghibli used leaf springs and a single locating arm. The power unit was Maserati's powerful, four-cam, 90-degree V8, derived from the 450S sports racer and first seen in road-going guise in the 5000GT. This was used in 4.7-litre form up to 1970 when it was superseded by the 4.9 litre SS version in order to meet ever more stringent emission laws. Its performance was stunning, with 100mph arriving in under 16 seconds. This neck-snapping acceleration resulted from the V8's enormous torque, which made the Ghibli one of the most flexible and easy-to-drive GTs of its era. One of the most stunning sports cars ever made, the Ghibli represents exceptional value for money today against its main rival, the Ferrari Daytona, just as it did 40 years ago.

This historically important example is finished in Rosso with a light tan leather interior and is the rarest of them all, being the SS model. Documents within the extensive history file inform us it was first delivered to Alec Mildren PTY Ltd. in Pymble, New South Wales Australia in September 1970. Ordered in Verde Gamm, a typically 1970s lime green metallic, with Bianca (white) interior. The car resided in the sunny climate of New South Wales until it was shipped to the UK in 1990. MOT'd in that same year, it was first registered in the UK in June 1991. From late 1994 through to May 1995, Windmill Classics carried out a body restoration at a cost of about ú9,500 which included the replacement of both sills and footwell panels. The rubbers were replaced on refitting and the car was fully serviced before being returned to its owner.

In 1996, the car was sent to marque specialists Bill McGrath Ltd. for a strip and rebuild of the engine at a cost of ú10,300 and a full mechanical and detail refreshment at a further cost of ú3,699. McGrath continued to maintain the car, with further invoices detailing work carried out to the suspension, brakes and steering in 2000 at a cost of some ú6,500. By late 2000, the Ghibli was sold to Maserati UK for their Heritage Collection and during their ownership through to 2005, circa ú10,000 was spent internally at the Maranello Egham workshops. In 2004, the engine was removed once again and returned to McGrath for a complete strip and rebuild at a cost of ú18,000 whilst additional sums of ú9,000 and ú4,200 were spent on further restoring and perfecting the car, including the installation of a stainless steel exhaust system. In 2005, the chrome work was replaced and refitted together with new rear number plate lights.

The comprehensive history file contains, briefly, a copy of the car's original dispatch note; a letter dated 1993 and signed by Giordano Casarini of Maserati SpA, Modena confirming build details; Australian registration documents, expired tax discs, parts manuals and maintenance books. This magnificent example has graced the cover of Classic Car magazine(September 2007) and it sits on restored and correct Campagnolo alloy wheels shod with Pirelli tyres.

The Ghibli was bought by our vendor in 2018, joining a stable of 1960s Italian exotica, Aston Martins and Bentleys. Now showing some 61,500 miles, at the time of cataloguing, it was last MOT'd in 2018. Our vendor has generously included a ú1,000 service with marque specialist Colin Clark which will be deducted from the hammer price.

Please note the private registration number is not included and retentions proceedings have begun. It is likely the registration number will be JYY 382J, the previous number for which plates have been made and are in the car.