1997 Maserati Ghibli Cup

A very rare RHD Maserati Ghibli Cup. Only 57 Cup models were ever produced, with only 24 in RHD.

Maserati Ghibli is the name of three different cars produced by the Italian manufacturer: a V8 grand tourer from 1966 to 1973, a V6 twin-turbo coupé from 1992 to 1997, and the Maserati Ghibli executive saloon from 2013 on.

The twin-turbo coupé Ghibli was launched at the 62nd Turin Motor Show in April 1992.

In 1994, the Ghibli was updated with a refreshed interior, new wing mirrors, wider and larger 17"" alloy wheels of a new design, fully adjustable electronic suspension and ABS brakes were added.

The Ghibli Open Cup single-make racing car was announced in late 1994, running for two seasons 1995 and 1996.

In 1995 two sport versions were introduced. The second was the limited production Ghibli Cup, which brought some features of the Open Cup racer into a road-going model. It debuted at the December 1995 Bologna Motor Show, with a 2-litre engine upgraded to 330 PS.

At the time the Ghibli Cup had the highest ever per litre power output of any street legal car, surpassing the Bugatti EB110 and Jaguar XJ220. Chassis upgrades included tweaked suspension and Brembo brakes. Visually the Cup was recognisable from its 5-spoke split-rim Speedline wheels and badges on the doors.

Only four paint colours were available: red, white, yellow and French blue. The sporty theme continued in the Cup's cabin with black leather, carbon fibre trim, aluminium pedals and a MOMO steering wheel.

This 1997 example is said to run brilliantly. In 2005, with the car having covered 132,000 kms, the previous owner purchased a new and original Cup engine from a Ghibli Cup race team in Italy for £3,760. This was re-built and installed by turbo engine specialists Owen Developments (UK) Ltd. of Oxford. Whilst doing this, the engine was upgraded with nickel ceramic coated liners, motorsport big end bearings, new piston rings, a race-spec oil pump, a new gasket seals and a new cam-belt. The engine is rated at 365 bhp.

In March 2015, the vendor had the car serviced by marque specialists McGrath Maserarti, who did another cam-belt change.

**The current mileage is approximately 156,600 kms - meaning this new, uprated and well-serviced engine has covered approximately 25,000 kms only.

The car comes with all receipts & invoices for work carried out, all old MOT certificates, a stamped-up service book, the original tan leather Maserati booklet wallet and two sets of keys.

Cup specification:

Body type: 2-door coupéProduction years: 1995 to 1996Engine: Front engined V 6 cylinder @ 90°Bore and stroke: 82 mm / 63 mmEngine capacity: 1996.2 c.c.Compression ratio: 7,6:1Maximum power: 330-bhp @ 6750 rpmDistribution: Four overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinderFuel feed: Supercharged with two water-cooled IHI turbochargers / two intercoolers and Weber Multi Point electonic injectionIgnition: Single electronicLubrication:Forced full flow filterTransmission: Rear wheel driveDifferential: Ranger® final drive: 3,45:1Clutch: Single dry plateGearbox: Getrag 6 speed and reverseChassis: Monocoque constructionFront suspension: Independent, Mac Pherson strut type, anti-roll bar coil-springs and double action telescopic shock absorbersRear suspension: Independent, tubular welded trailing arms with welded tubular structure with coil-springs and double action telescopic shock absorbersBrakes: Servo assisted ventilated discs (front perforated) on all four wheelsWheelbase: 2514 mmWheel tracks: Front 1515 mm Rear 1510 mmWheels: Speedline 'Allesio' front 8""J x 17"" / rear 9""J x 17Tyres Front: 215/45 ZR 17 Rear:- 245/45 ZR 17Dry weight: 1365 kgMaximum speed: 270 km/h