Maserati Ghibli (1967) History

Unveiled at the Turin Motor Show in November 1966 and on sale from early 1967, the original Ghibli was styled by the then-24-year-old Giorgetto Giugiaro during his tenure at Carrozzeria Ghia. Long, low, and razor-edged, the design is considered among the finest of the postwar Italian coachbuilding era and one of the most significant automobile shapes of the 20th century.

Mechanically, the Ghibli used a front-mounted quad-cam 4.7-litre dry-sump V8 producing 310 PS (306 hp) mated to a five-speed ZF manual, capable of approximately 160 mph. A Spyder (open) version arrived in 1969 in very small numbers — only 125 Spyders (including 45 in SS form) out of 1,295 total cars built.

The 1970 Ghibli SS enlarged the engine to 4.9 litres (335 PS), making it one of the most powerful Italian road cars of its era. Production ended in 1973 as Citroën's ownership pushed Maserati toward the mid-engine Bora. Prized today by collectors, the Ghibli Spyder in particular commands serious auction prices.