1981 Maserati Merak SS

• An original, UK-supplied, RHD 'SS', one of only 300
• As an 'SS', it benefits from the more powerful version of the 3.0 V6 on triple Webers producing 220bhp up from the standard car's 190bhp and a revised interior including the Bora dashboard
• Classically finished in Rosso Maserati over Nero (black) leather with Rosso horizontal inserts
• Subject to a huge restoration in the 90s which included a full strip-down and bare metal repaint
• Subsequently part of a large collection and for many years was unused
• Purchased by our vendor who carried out a full re-commission and the car now runs very well
• There are 2 box files with the car full of detailed receipts, description of work carried out, old MOTs, V5s, books, manuals and around 50 photographs of the restoration
• The odometer currently indicates 85,563 miles. MOT until July 2022 issued with no advisories
• This restoration has stood the test of time very well and the car remains in great condition both inside and out nicely set off by its fully refurbished set of silver Campagnolo alloy wheels.

Arguably the most civilised, not to mention usable, of the ‘70s crop of Italian supercars, Maserati’s stunning mid-engined Merak combined a powerful V6 engine with the practicality of occasional rear seats and a decent-sized boot. Sharing its basic architecture and floorpan with the V8-powered Bora, the Merak was similarly penned by the talented Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Ital Design studio in Turin, but instead of the Bora’s rear clamshell, there was a flat decklid and novel flying buttress arrangement. In a break with tradition, the new Merak was named after a star in the Plough constellation and saw the greatest influence of the Modenese firm’s new relationship with Citroën yet, particularly the 90-degree V6 engine, a unit Maserati originally engineered for the SM. As used in the Merak, the Tipo C114 V6 was bored out from 2670cc to 2965cc greatly improving both torque and flexibility. With twin overhead camshafts per bank and fed by triple Weber 42 DCNF carburettors, the alloy V6’s 190 horses were delivered to the rear wheels through the SM’s five-speed transaxle, while the brakes (discs all round) also used an adaptation of Citroën’s patented hydraulic power-operated system. The interior was typical of Italian exotics from the era, with low-slung seats and plenty of luxury features, while the compact V6 engine allowed a surprising amount of rear passenger space - even the usual Italian offset driving position was largely overcome thanks to a fully adjustable steering wheel and decent seat travel.

Competition from Ferrari's new Dino V8 prompted the introduction of a more powerful and lightweight version - the Merak SS (Tipo AM122/A) with 220bhp engine and revised interior - for 1975, ZF transmission being adopted shortly after. The SS was distinguished by a black grille between the pop-up headlights and a Maserati-designed upper fascia with round instruments and a four-spoke steering wheel replaced the previous SM-derived interior.

This lovely SS is classically finished in Rosso Maserati over Nero (Black) Leather with Rosso horizontal inserts. It was subject to a huge restoration in the 90s which included a full strip-down and bare metal repaint and subsequently was part of a large collection and unused for many years. It was purchased by our vendor a couple of years ago, immediately fully re-commissioned and now runs very well. Accompanying the car are two box files full of detailed receipts, a description of the work carried out, old MOTs, V5s, books, manuals and around 50 photographs of the restoration. Albeit some time ago, the restoration has stood the test of time very well and the car remains in great condition both inside and out nicely set off by its fully refurbished set of silver Campagnolo alloy wheels.

Undoubtedly an excellent investment opportunity, the SS is certainly the most collectable of the Merak variants and one that we believe will mature over time. Maserati Boras, in good condition, are virtually three times the estimate on this SS, which offers great drivability without the heavy controls of its bigger brother. It's certainly a Grand Tourer with a comfortable interior with 'plus two' seating and usable luggage space. Flamboyant 1970s Italian styling at its very best.