What a gorgeous Spyder and the color is outstanding. I have always loved the Ghibli, Montreal and Daytona of that era. Takes me back to my days growing up as an Army brat and seeing those beautiful cars driving around. I wanted so badly to spend my college money that I'd saved up for a very nice Montreal that I'd found on a Munich used car lot in the late 80's. :) Thanks so much for the video and drive in that ultra rare SS.
Two years back I finally saw a Ghibli Spyder in person. It was in a mechanical shop and I asked if I could take a look at the car. They were friendly enough to let me go and see it. I know a bit about classic Maseratis and the Ghibli was one of my absolute favourite cars of all times. Together with the early Iso Grifos. Ghiblis are quite rare. The Spyder much more so.
I was a kid in the 70s and saw a Ghibli for the first time. That Maserati V8 is a peach. We take for granted modern twin cam V8s because they are so common now, but that musclecar sound with the sizzle is memorable.
Stunning car and I love the colour, even if it isn't original; as for the simplicity of the live axle arrangement, I can recall a Road & Track test of the coupe back in the day when they referred to the car as "trucklike" and also described it as "a beautiful car that promises more performance than it delivers" - but I still think it is a lovely example of Italian style and engineering and I thank you for this video.
You’re welcome! It really likes the American feel of the car with the beauty of the Italian design. Both the Ghibli and Daytona may feel truck-ish but they both are very pretty trucks! Thanks for watching.
I was blessed to own a 1973 4.9L in the body of a Bora for 10 years. I loved that car. And that engine sounded beautiful. Mine would pull from 500 RPM, smooth as silk. And, surprisingly my 2018 5.7 hemi RAM sounds very similar!
@@tomyangnet It felt great. No power steering. Turn-in was sharp. It would oversteer at the limit. Not TOO grippy... it had really tall sidewalls. I took it to the track a couple of times. It was only 330hp so not super quick either, but the torque was so linear. It was a GT... very comfortable, beautiful leather dash doors and seats. My main complaint was a balky shifter because they didn't to a great job with the linkages back to the transmission. It also had the high pressure hydraulic system from Citroen so the brakes were extremely powerful and took very little pressure. The pedal moved a little with a "snick" and then it was like pushing on a rock, but the harder you pushed the more brake you had. I inadvertently locked up all 4 wheels at 65 when someone drifted into my lane. Never did that again! It took a lot of getting used to... quick, heavy steering, sensitive brakes, balky shifter, light clutch. But it sure was fun!
@@ericbraun4652 I was always under the impression that Maseratis from that era were good concepts that didn’t have enough funding to fully develop into good road cars. The touchy brakes and the balky shifter were examples of the need for more development. The Ghibli felt better, but they were working with a more standard layout and design. Beautiful car though!
@@tomyangnet Agree, though the engine was completely reliable and the carbs held a perfect tune for the 10 years I had it. The Ghibli Spyder is gorgeous, more so than the Bora. But the Bora was a damned fine looking car, especially pre-hood vent (which did no good anyway) and with Euro bumpers.
I prefer this over a Daytona, I think the looks are better and performance is similar enough that I'd take this over the Ferrari 100%. I love this green 4.9. Thank you so much for sharing this video. Great car!
As similar as they are, they have very different driving experiences. The Ghibli has low end grunt, while the Daytona likes to pull at higher revs. I’ve always liked the sound of the V-12 so I’m partial, but the Maserati was easy to drive without it feeling like a handful in the Daytona. Thanks for watching!
Beautiful. If Maserati could build an updated version of this, customers would be breaking down their doors to buy one. I remember this beautiful car from when I was in grade school. It's right up there with a Ferrari Daytona Spyder. Wowie Howie.
Awesome video. What a beautiful car. I owned a similar era Merak, which may people think was even more beautiful than this gorgeous baby. Of course, it didn't have the same performance, but man that Maserati engine sound even in the V6 was awesome (and performance above 120 mph was also amazing - a friend told me that Your Honor).
Just FYI - Daytonas from the Ferrari club historians is 1,406 over the life of the model. Maserati Ghibli's sold in all, 1,170 coupés and 125 Spyders (including 45 Spyder SS) were produced. Or 1,295 in total, so pretty close and Maserati was founded in 1914, so it is way older than Ferrari.
Maserati had a different filosophy from Ferrari in that Maseratis were high quality usable road cars, much in the same way of Lancias, and Ferraris where meant primarily for racing competition. Nothing wrong with a well controlled live axle.
Just re-watched this and feel that I didn't mention, it is a stunningly beautiful car! On my top 5 list of all time sexy cars. I can't afford one with multiple kids at university, so my 2011 Maserati GranCabrio S 4.7 will have to do 🙂
Maserati had a different filosophy from Ferrari in that Maseratis were high quality usable road cars, much in the same way of Lancias, and Ferraris were meant primarily for racing competition.
I knew some old Italian mechanics who said that Maseratis were MUCH, MUCH better than Ferraris. They were probably more the rich gentleman's cars. The classic GT kind of vehicle. Although the Ghibli was not a 2+2. The transmission of the Ghibli was a German ZF gearbox. I think the design was made by Giorgetto Giugaro.
This Ghibli has a solid feel to the car. The gearbox feels sturdy, and so does the rest of the car. The torque of the V-8 is nice around town and pulls strongly, but it doesn't have the same "drama" as the Daytona. I really like this car, but there's something about the V-12 howl that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up that doesn't happen in the Ghibli!
The engine just needs a hotter set of cams. I think Maserati knew their target market wanted a civilized but sexy cruiser more than a visceral and raw experience that required a driver to work a bit.
It’s all relative. Unless you’re really tearing it up, the solid rear axle give a little more predictability. It’s also a convertible, so it’s better for relaxed touring! Thanks for watching.
From my understanding, of the original 25 SS Spyders produced, 40 have been lovingly restored. 😂 The belt drive system on the AC compressor is a very "interesting" engineering choice. Why would you need IRS when you can just use a Dana 44?
Solid rear axles are heavy and reducing unsprung weight helps handling. I like the predictability of a solid rear axle, but in certain bumpy situations, the rear of the car will hop around. Thanks for watching!
My "lottery win" car - loved them since seeing a picture in the late 60's when I was about 8 years old. With sufficient funds it'd be kept company by an original Cobra, Miura SV, 206 Dino, Montreal, a DBR2 and a Hilux (with surprises) . . . I can continue to dream 😏
Dreams can start small, and can build over time instead of wishing for the big lottery win. You can start with a replica Cobra that will get you one step closer, and keep the dream alive! Thanks for watching.
I’m sure corvette is faster, but the European cars will handle better. Without a stopwatch, it’s hard to say, but subjectively speaking I’d rather be in a Ghibli!
pourquoi Maserai n a pas fais une grande gt 2 place une Ghilbli 3 moderne !!! j aurai vu voir un chassis court du Grantourismo , et de voir une evolution du fameux v8 4930 en 4 soupapes par cylindres de 400 a 550 ch
Not at all. The 4.2/4.7/4.9 V-8's were used across many models, the Ghibli Coupe alone saw over 1150 made. MUCH less expensive and complicated than F-cars of the period, IMO.
The engine was used for a few decades and in other models, so the parts are not that hard to find for it, my 1986 QPIII has the same 4.9 V8, the rest of the parts, I cannot speak to.
I found this video as I am trying to find the most beautiful spyder to restomod. I know it ruins their value, but it's the only way to daily-drive a 60s or 70s exotic. Any suggestions? Btw I lived 14y in Thailand and could swear you have Thai roots.
No Thai roots here! The cost of some of these European convertibles may not make sense to restomod, but the Ghibli sure is beautiful! Thanks for watching.
@@tomyangnet I stand corrected. They are ridiculously expensive and very unreliable. There just are no more modern roadsters that are anywhere near as beautiful and stylish. Perhaps a BMW Z1 or Z8. A Jaguar E-Type is a bit too ordinary and a Cobra is brash, loud, awful to drive and certainly not stylish. A 250 GT California would be perfect. It's just the $ 20m price tag that is a minor obstacle.
@@jackdoe3889 I find all the Mercedes SLs of the 60s stylish and abundant. There are a bunch of smaller roadsters from the 60s, but it sounds like you’re looking for a GT.
@@tomyangnet The Pagode is quite common and affordable, but I like the older 190 SL even more. 300 SL too expensive. I also like the W111 220 SeB Cabrio. With a properly powerful modern engine, drivetrain and suspension.
I just dont get it, RU-vid Are like 10 or 20 procent above Jay Leno or Harys garage in most Wayes, just stuffet Witherspoon knowhow and Heart. But i dont understand ......why RU-vid dont have a' million wieurers. I just dont get it wuy quality doesent get requienicet, i just recpeckt your knowlegte and your happiness to lettere us se these beutifull machines. Sorry for My poor languich.... Tom, denmark
As much as RU-vid doesn’t help me spread the word about my channel, you still managed to find me, and that’s all that matters! Who needs 200k views from people who know nothing about cars? I’ve been blogging for 25 years and shooting video for 10 because I enjoy it, and loyal followers do too. Thanks for watching!
Rather unorthodox arrangement. On one of the external pulleys up front has a short, multi-strand cable with swaged ends that pulls, or is in tension, driving a tang that operates the water pump. Over time, the individual strands twist at the ends and break, also when the engine turns momentarily backwards on an aborted start or upon shut down. There is a failsafe where the tang (more properly a safety bolt) rattles around a larger circular opening making a lot of racket but allowing you to get home. I’ll send pics. You should be able to see it with a good flashlight from the top.
Maserati had a different filosophy from Ferrari in that Maseratis were high quality usable road cars, much in the same way of Lancias, and Ferraris were meant primarily for racing competition.
