Maserati used to make cars for the very richest and more powerful, it had a reputation to be envied. What made Maseratis from the 60s and 70s so special? Today I drive this 1970 Ghibli Spyder and find out what all the fuss was about!
Straight line and curve styling. Logical, sensible and it can support low drag coefficient design This swishy bubble car sh!t they are serving up is embarrassing. Look at rear headroom in lots of SUVs. The regression is real.
It's called ' soul ' the transfer of passion by the designer into product . As there's nothing in c.a.d. ! it's dead, sterile none meaning crap . Products for profits , not passion
Hi Jack, Just a small correction, the Ghibli was designed by Giugiaro, when he was head of Ghia. The later Khamsin was designed by Gandini (and it got rear independant suspention as well).
Stunningly beautiful. Remember being on holiday as a newlywed in 1980 in Oahu, Hawaii, and there was one parked at the hotel. What a treat to see it every day. Living in South Africa, not something I readily saw.
@@peteronay381 That must have cost a lot back then - are you E' Loon Musk's Dad? We, as a family in '72, went to visit my Uncle in Zambia from the UK, had to fly in to Pretoria where he picked us up in his own little plane, flew us all back to Kitwe in the copper belt. My old man moaned about the cost of the BOAC flight to get to RSA for the whole holiday, but that flight was cheap by comparison to getting to Hawaii - are you still paying the loan off?
Exceptional and stunning car,even if it is a conversion of a fantastic Ghibli coupè. If this is a 4.7 liter it can't be an SS,because the SS was only the 5000 (with 4.9 engine). The 4.9 engine developed only 5 bhp more than the 4.7 (330 bhp for the 4.7 and 335 for the 4.9) but the 4.9 had more torque and was ideal for the automatic gearbox,that was a typical request in the U.S. market. The steering wheel is the original one but is covered of veneer instead of natural wood. Anyway this is a magnificent car,in my opinion one of the most refined and elegant granturismos ever. My father had several Maseratis and when I was a child we used to go in Greece for summer holidays. We always left home with two cars,my mother with the Lancia Flavia full of luggage and my father with the Maserati,and we stopped in Modena where he used to leave the car for the annual service... Than the trip proceeded to Ancona with the Lancia to embark in the ferry boat to Greece and the Maserati was withdrawed weeks later,when we came back.For me and my brother that was the top of our holiday,we were taken for a tour of the factory and we always met the chief tester,Mr.Guerino Bertocchi,that was the chief mechanic of Fangio in the F1 Maserati team and also had been a F1 driver for Maserati. He tested all the new cars and he always took me and my brother for a ride in a brand new Ghibli. We were both sitting on the passenger seat and he was driving for about 20 minutes or half an hour at incredible speed in the streets around Modena. Happy times,today nobody can take children for a ride at more than 200 km/h,but my father thought he was a fantastic driver,and there was no traffic so this remained as an unforgettable experience for us. I remember those Ghiblis,there were always three or four ready at the end of the production line,they had the colors of that era,not only metallic silver or metallic blue,but also Modena yellow or orange....The seats were covered by cellophane and they had the smell of a new car.Maybe this is the reason why I consider this as the most beautiful,streamlined and elegant car of all time.Unfortunately my father never had one,because he needed a four seater as the Mexico and the Indy,and I lost the opportunity to buy a coupè some years ago....Great video,Giacomo,as always.
A great road test comparison to get your hands on was in Car&Driver (I think) from about 1967. It was called, "The $64,000 Road Test" and compared the Ferrari 275 GTB/4, Aston Martin DBS, Maserati Ghibli and Lamborghini 400GT. Some of the testers were world renowned drivers of the time. Excellent read. I still have the original in a box somewhere in our basement! All four of these cars are among the most beautiful automobiles ever produced. But each one needs to be experienced in person for their beauty to be fully appreciated. They come from a time when rolling art, or automotive porn (whichever term you prefer) was at its zenith. A few other cars from this era also must be included in the conversation: Lamborghini Miura, Iso Grifo, Monteverdi 375, AC 428. Aston Martin DBSV8, Ferrari Daytona (365 GTB/4)... Twenty years ago, I was fortunate to have been able to obtain a 1970's Aston Martin V8 manual. It's still a truly awesome and rewarding car to drive, but it would love to have a Ghibli like this as a 'garage mate'!
@@peanutbutterpadre1519 Not all of them. A factory convertible was produced, though in smaller numbers than the coupe’s I think (without referring to Wikipedia). However, many coupe’s were subsequently converted…the factory original convertibles command a significant premium over the modified cars.
Wow. You got your hands on an original Ghibli Spider. That car is a moving work of art. It's one of the most drop dead gorgeous cars ever made. Every car designer should be made to spend a month studying this, and then told "If you can't produce something at least as beautiful, don't bother". This is Marilyn Monroe in metal. Sadly, you'll never see the like of it ever again now that the SUV disease has infected the motor industry.
@@Calilasseia The statement that all Ghibli spyders were "converted" is absolutely incorrect. Different from the Daytona spiders, the Ghibli spyders were meant from birth to be a convertible. The original spyders were not converted by Campana or anyone else. Ghia built the spyders on frames designed for the spyders, which included differences such as double floors. I've owned 6 original spyders and still own one today. And yes, they are great cars!
Absolutely stunning, what an amazing car. Stunning coachwork and an absolutely beautiful interior. Spyder would definitely be the one to have for GT cruising on a Summer's day without having to worry about Italian AC in the Coupe, plus of course that delicious engine sound.
Such a beautiful car and so well designed. The engine sounds so sweet, just right.Yes Maserati had problems but their cars of this era are so well thought through with just the odd blip (hand brake!). Thank you Jack for bringing us another gem. 👍👍
Excellent, thanks Jack. That is one beautifully styled vehicle, it sounds fantastic not over the top loud but really "hairy chested" and "ballsy". The styling so typical of it's time and my 20's, just love it. Thank you for the ride.
Back in the 80s someone in my area (Central Ohio of all places) owned one of these. It was metallic silver and I will never forget the first time I saw it: it was pulling out of a driveway of a mobile home, a trailer. Yes, an expensive exotic Maserati Ghibli Spyder driving away from a poor man's domicile. The incongruity of this sight astonished me. A few years later, in the opposite end of the same county I saw it once again fleetingly and I've not seen it since.
I’ve been a poster on Ferrarichat for 20 years, have owned several carbureted Ferrari’s from that era, but recently I bought a 1980 Maserati Merak SS, and I’ve driven an early Ghibli. These cars are FAR better to take on long drives, better seating, and for the late Merak, handles better than a 308. That said, they are totally different cars and IMO, you need one of each to properly scratch the itch depending on what your itch is that day. They are both just that good
I remember actor James Laurenson driving a Ghibli round Paris in an early 70's TV production. He played a decadent playboy publisher who would park up and leave the door ajar in the Paris streets.
The Ghibli Spider has been one of my ultimate dream car designs ever since I first laid eyes on it (30 years ago?). It has a stunningly beautiful exterior and interior, and a lovely sound too. Love it in dark blue with cream interior. Thanks for sharing this.
One of the dream super Cars of my youth, along with the Iso Grifo. Gorgeous. And you literally drove past the House I grew up in, Watford Road!! Great Video.
WOW what a fantastic looking motor! ....not sure black would be my choice but is definitely a beautiful car. You're knocking it out the park with the contents Jack, well done buddy..... keep it coming 💪👍
What a gorgeous droptop the Ghibli Spyder was/is. The sound of the unstressed V8 is also fabulous. Amazed to see a car from that era with fully adjustable steering even telescopically too. I have to agree with you that Maserati succeeded in making a car that easy to own and drive unlike other Italian exotics. But the other surprise was the leaf spring rear suspension. Pity about that. Great video!
I was at Brands Hatch in 1968, and while I loved the Ford P68 and the Lola T70 on the track, it was the glamour in the car park that got my 15 year old self energised. A very elegant Gordon Keeble, for instance, or my first glimpse of a DBS, or the superstar of all, a Maserati Ghibli (not drop-top). The advertising at the time was all about its 186 mph claim, and I'm sure there were one or two other cars at the time making similar claims. Bit too much of a coincidence, till I finally twigged that what they were all going for was, naturally, 300kph. Did anyone really get there, 55 years ago, apart from at Le Mans? Dubious. Thanks for the excellent vid.
Well looking at (more aerodynamically-honed, but with greater frontal-area) modern sports cars, you need around 450bhp to get past the magic 300km/h marker. The 350-ish bhp as was typical from big Italian engines in the ‘70s seems likely to get you to about 275km/h.
Jack, you never fail to impress with the cars you review. I used to re-tune one of these roughly every two weeks every summer back in the early 80s. it would come in popping and farting and leave sounding like a symphony. the best bit was the road test, especially as I was a long-haired spotty teenager back then 😁
Thank you for reviewing the Ghibli. Beautiful car. I would place it in the European automotive elegance trifecta of the 60s and 70s next to Bizzarini GT Strada and Ferrari Daytona.
At the time of sale this was accepted to be the most beautiful car money could buy and 50+ years later you'd have to say it's possibly the most beautiful of all time. One of Guigiaro's finest pieces of work when he was at Ghia.
Great video, probably the rear springs are rated for the coupe, ie, stiffer, a spring company who did my interceptor springs had all the specs for virtually every leaf sprung car, so some could be made, I fitted green stuff pads and the brakes squeaked exactly the same.
Hi it's my ghibli. There are no specs for rear springs so it's a very suck it and see. It's going in for retempering this month so the front and back work together not against each other.
@@markgreen4234 great bud, I've had a few classics and like say the mgb gt has a leaf extra over the roadster, great car by the way, I've had e types, interceptors but the maserati is a cut above.
Every true car guys loves Maseratis, Jack. This was a fine episode...the challenge now is to get hold of a Bora / Khamsin or (I'm reaching for the stars here) a 300S or 450 S (I know, I know, but divine intervention or blind luck might intervene) Perhaps some fabulously rich collector has a red 450S as in the video, you could exercise it for him ;)
Wow. This is one of those cars so gorgeous I remember the moment I first saw one. I was 9 years old and it was in a syndicated forgotten sitcom called 'Love American Style'. Recall nothing of the show but the car burned into my brain forever. I still slightly prefer it over the Ferrari Daytona Spyder.
What an absolute stunner of a car.The Bora was another top Maserati from that time too,and,according to certain tester's,was quicker than a Lambo Muira!
Makes a 250 Cali look like an MGB, Jack! Genuinely awesome looks, (and even a snazzy interior) and that 4xcam engine is perhaps the finest noise ever made by burning petrol. You're a lucky chap to drive one - we're lucky to enjoy you doing so...😊
Are you insane? A California spider is widely considered to be one of, if not THE, Most beautiful cars in the world. Values pushing north of 20 million USD. You can pick up one of these for just north of $500k. Beautiful for sure… but but it’s no California Spyder. And there is no call for ever comparing a California Spyder to an MG, ever. Just… no.
My dad's friend owned the yellow prototype Ghibli Spyder until he sold it a few years ago at RM Monterey Auction. Really neat car compared to production ones, all kinds of subtle differences.
Beautiful car Jack...thanks for showing it to us! These still seem like relative bargains compared to other vintage Italian cars, and that body is just so amazing!!
A lovely car, used to compare those to a Daytona - you say it's a 4,7 however it says SS everywhere which is the 4,9 - badge engineering on a Maserati? Another great video, keep them coming
Fabulous and such a tasteful and stylish car, I don't think they've bettered it since. Imagine in the early 70's owning that a Range Rover and a Royal Oak watch all design classics!
The coupe is one of my all time favourite cars, fairly sure I saw the car you’re driving near the Chorleywood turn off of the M25 back in early August, looked fabulous on the road!
2:08 Very elegant interior ! A dashboard with outstanding materials, carefully crafted, with all the necessary gauges. The Italian style of those times is unmistakable.
Lovely review beautiful car I love Maseratis. An Italian friend once told me that pimps drive Ferraris, pop stars drive Lamborghinis but a gentleman in Italy drives a Maserati! Never forgot that little tale. Also love the Khamsin be nice if you could drive one of those and a Lancia Gamma coupe or saloon.
Ahhhh - A lottery win would see me scouring the market for one of these. I have lusted after one since the 70's as a teeneager, and the desire still burns mightily.
I very much enjoy your takes on these classics from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. I'd love for you to pull apart the concepts a bit more on a grand tourer vs a sports car.
We are not sure whether Leonardo Fioravanti was inspired by Giorgetto Giugiarp but the are both artists and we shall be thankful that they have been on this earth to create driving art. Marcello off course too and Franco Scaglione and many more…
To me, these are quite a bit more beautiful than the Daytona, which I always found to be a bit plumb. This seems more modern than the Daytona. A very nice car, even if I find the coupe even more appealing.
That is as good looking a sports car as you are going to find. More confirmation of my feeling that more great looking cars came from the mid to late '60s than any other time.
Thanks Jack, lovely car. A Ghibli coupe was the first exotic I saw in person: north of NYC on the Palisades parkway in a something of a traffic jam while dad drove the family wagon. Perfect conditions for oogling the Maser.
Lovely choice and again, enjoyed the history lesson as well as the ride. Try some other old Maseratis...The Indy, Mistral, Kamsin...would love to hear and see how them compare with this Ghibli. Also the new Ghibli 4 door.
What a gorgeous Ghibli Jack, and I'd never noticed the speedboat theme until you pointed it out, how right too. A little fun fact for you - in 1964 Adolfo Orsi was trying to get Jaguar to buy Maserati, but because he wasn't prepared to give full details about the business Sir Williams Lyons wasn't going to make an offer. Orsi then changed tack slightly and suggested Jaguar buy a stake in Maserati in the form of a loan to fund 'future model development', which turned out to be the Ghibli. However, Lyons still wasn't budging until he saw the full books, and he politely closed the matter. You can't help but wonder how a Ghibli with some detailed input from Jaguar - their IRS and some further fettling by Norman Dewis - might have put right the foibles you mentioned. Then again, the idea of Maserati suddenly being consumed into the nightmare that was British Leyland really doesn't bear thinking about!
Fascinating adjunct to the Orsi era Maserati story… and considering that Maserati of this ear had a Salisbury diff, Jaguar front suspension and various Lucas made electrical parts it would have been a good partnership😊
Oh Jack, you nailed it with this one. I’d probably rather have this than a Daytona, if I’m honest, thought I’d prefer the knock-on hub Borannis over the alloy wheels. Disappointing to hear that the steering is vague. Maybe that’s been magnified by an overly harsh rear end? I’d want to get that sorted but I suppose there’s only so much you can do with recirculating ball steering. You have to wonder why they chose it over rack and pinion. The Ghibli Spyder might be my all time favourite. Hard to say. Never been a huge fan of the coupe but the Spyder is simply gorgeous. Maseratis of that era were _ne plus ultra_ for me.
"So un-Italian of you" Oh Jack, you made me spill my drink. Yeah, the parking brake handle, the size of the clock on the dash, the offset of the gear lever...yeah, so un-Italian ;) On the other hand, that thing is stunningly beautiful. It is so much better looking than a coupe, that I didnt even realize it is not the same car. Who cares if drives a bit low-rent. Park it in front of a cafe and watch car guys trip on their own shadows as they pass by. In comparison to that, Daytona looks like Fiero.
Peter Ustinov said also once that he did not love the hysterical sound of a screaming v12 and therefore stayed with his 3.500 GT and other Maserati cars. He even wasn’t shocked by an engine burning in his early Biturbo Maserati he let it rework I. Switzerland with a new engine and transmission which was as expensive as a new car nearly.
