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Probably the best in existence- one of 11 European SS versions
1971 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS Spyder (manual)
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Ghia
Private Portfolio No. 055
●
Chassis no.
AM 115/S49 1259
Engine no.
1259
One of just 11 European specification 4.9SS Spyders built (manual/ automatic
combined)
●
Ultimate factory specification with manual gearbox, hard top, Borrani
wire wheels, fitted luggage and all other options ● Total ‘ground up’ rebuild
completed in 2006 and fully documented history from new
●
Price on request
A strong contender for the ‘most handsome car of the 1960s’ title, Maserati’s Ghibli debuted at the Turin Motor
Show in November 1966. Styled at Ghia by the young Giorgietto Giugiaro and named after a Sahara Desert
wind, the Ghibli rivalled the Ferrari Daytona for straight-line performance – its top speed was close to 170mph
(275km/h) – while beating it for price and – arguably – looks. More than fifteen feet long and nearly six feet
wide, the Ghibli occupied an inordinate amount of space for a mere two-seater, but perhaps the most startling
aspect of its appearance was the height, or
rather the lack of it.
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The Ghibli used a tubular steel chassis with a
live rear axle, leaf springs and a single
locating arm. The power unit was Maserati’s
venerable four-cam, 90 degree V8, an engine
derived from that of the 450S sports car and
first seen in road-going guise in the 5000GT.
This was used in 4.7-litre form up to 1970
when it was superseded by the 4.9-litre ‘SS’
version. Power rose to 335 bhp and
performance was stunning, with 100mph
(160km/h) attainable in under 16 seconds.
Private Portfolio No. 055
1971 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS Spyder (manual)
Even more sensational was the handsome Ghibli Spyder, launched in 1969 and the direct rival of the Ferrari
Daytona Spyder. Giugiaro’s styling for an open-top version was arguably even more successful than the coupé
and is regarded as a classic of sports car design.
Ghibli production ended in 1973 after 1,149
coupés and just 125 Spyder models had been
built. Of the latter, 79 were fitted with the smaller
4.7 litre engine (23 with automatic gearbox, 56
with manual transmission) and 46 received the
larger 4.9 litre unit (of which 9 automatics and
37 manuals). Like the open Daytona, the Ghibli
Spyder sold well in the USA, with 75 cars
destined for that market: 40 were the 4.7 litre
version and 35 the 4.9 ‘SS’. These build figures
were provided to us during a recent visit to the
factory archives and are not speculation.
Therefore, just 11 Ghibli SS Spyders were built to
European specification, automatic and manual
versions included.
For the record, a total of 35 Ghibli Spyder
buyers specified the optional hard top and 20
chose fitted luggage
We believe that this is probably the finest
Maserati Ghibli Spyder in existence; as its
previous owners we are certainly biased, but
having known the car for many years, and
having tracked it down, sold it three times,
researched its history, overseen its restoration
and enjoyed driving it, we make that statement
with a thorough knowledge of the car and its
market.
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Private Portfolio No. 055
1971 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS Spyder (manual)
Given the amount of detail in our possession, herewith a synopsis of the car’s specification and history:
Specification
1971 - Factory invoice
Version:
Europe
Destination:
Citroen Cars, Slough, UK
Original exterior color:
Verde Gemma 106 G 53
Original interior color:
Senape PAC 1775
Original Equipment:
Air conditioning, power steering, hard top, fitted luggage, Becker radio with
electric antenna, stereo with twin speakers, seat belts, overtaking lights in front
grille, wire wheels, dashboard and transmission tunnel in Connolly leather, EE
plates, European specification
Plates:
EE (export)
Continuous assembly:
#1259
Engine:
#1259
History
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February 1st 1971
Order no. MAS/1/71 placed with Mario Tozzi-Condivi of MTC Cars Ltd, 173
Westbourne Grove, London by William Benjamin of Villa Guide, Antibes, France
and WA Benjamin Inc, Two Park Avenue, New York 10016. Mr. Benjamin (40
years old) owned a medical publishing group. Base price US$13,750 plus extras
totaling US$16,590, delivery in Modena for ‘1st ten days of May, 1971’
February 2nd 1971
Mr. Baraldi at Maserati factory acknowledges order for “Ghibli Convertible…with
all extras” and asks UK agent MTC if client will take one of cars offered in
previous telex
February 5th 1971
Factory confirm new order to UK representative Mr. McDonald at Citroen Cars,
Slough, with delivery in 90 days
Private Portfolio No. 055
1971 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS Spyder (manual)
April 22nd 1971
Factory telex to Citroen Slough confirming price for “Ghibli 5000 Convertible
with European specifications” at $17,792 for which “net cost to Citroen Cars Ltd
will be $13,351” and “regretting cannot accept lower price”
May 10th 1971
Factory invoices Citroen Cars Ltd for new “Maserati Gran Touring car type Ghibli
4900cc Spyder” at price of US$13,440.00
May 12th 1971
Factory issues Certificate of Origin
May 18th 1971
Collected from factory with temporary plates ‘EE7260’ by William Benjamin
June 1971
Mr. Benjamin writes to factory complaining of various faults on his “three week
old, $17,000 Maserati” with copy to his lawyer
July 1971
Factory driver collects car from Antibes and returns to Modena
Sept. 1971
Returned to Mr. Benjamin after work completed and invoice issued to owner for
jobs not under guarantee
May 29th 1972
Factory internal memo to Mr. Baraldi points out that EE plates expired on May
10th 1972 and asks to contact Mr. Benjamin
c.1978
Car purchased from Porsche dealer in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, by dealer
Sander Van Der Velden, Tilburg, who sends it to Italy for cosmetic restoration,
including repainting from green to burgundy and partial retrim
Later
Wins prize at Zandvoort Concours d’Elegance
Nov. 27th 1981
Included on list of stolen cars sent by AL Vanini, Milano, to Maserati factory on
behalf of Interpol, requesting owners’ names
Dec. 15th 1981
Maserati factory replies to Vanini that it can only supply information to Modena
police in person of Maresciallo di Franco
1983
Sold to FW Overlander, West Germany
c.1986
Sold to Wolfgang von Schmieder, Blonay and later Cologny, Switzerland,
mileage c.80,000km
June 6th 1987
Mileage now 80,168km
Certificate of Origin
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Private Portfolio No. 055
1971 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS Spyder (manual)
Ab o v e: As tested by Octane magazine vs. Ferrari Daytona Spyder, Swiss Alps, July 2007.
March 2nd 1988
Mileage now 81,492km
Sept 3rd 1990
Mileage now 82,934km
Late 1990s
Driven on Raid Basel- Paris by von Schmieder
Sept. 2001
Shown by von Schmieder at the Louis Vuitton Classic, Parc de Bagatelle, Paris
March 11th 2001
Offered at Bonhams Geneva auction of The ‘S’ (von Schmieder) Collection, Lot
115, est. SFR.130,000-160,000, not sold
March 2001
Sold post-auction to private buyer, Geneva, Switzerland. Stored in Bern,
Switzerland, and not driven
Mid-2003
Sold to Ian F Wade, Hong Kong, but still stored in Bern, Switzerland
Mid-2006
Sold by Wade to Kidston SA, Geneva, Switzerland
Sept. 2006- April 2007 Completely restored in Italy by Carrozzeria Autosport (bodywork and project
management), Pietro Cremonini (paintwork), Fratelli Luppi (upholstery), William
Gatti (electrics) and Officina Candini (mechanics) to original factory specification
including colours
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April 2007
Shown at Concorso di Eleganza Villa d’Este, Italy
May 2007
Swiss road registered ‘GE 18967’ (Geneva)
May 2007
Driven by Simon Kidston/ Dougal Fisken on Ecosse Tour, Scotland
June 2007
Returned to Italy for further work and fine tuning
June 2007
Tested in Italy by Ruoteclassiche magazine for comparison feature article vs
Ferrari 365GTS/4 Daytona Spyder (silver)
July 2007
Tested in Switzerland by Octane magazine for comparison cover feature vs
Ferrari 365GTS/4 Daytona Spyder (red)
August 2007
Sold by Kidston to Swiss buyer, now with 2,500km covered, and re-registered
January 2008
Offered for private treaty sale by Kidston SA, Geneva, now with
6,500km covered
Private Portfolio No. 055
1971 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS Spyder (manual)
So why is this Ghibli SS Spyder so special? Well, first of all, rarity: almost the same number of Ghibli Spyders
were built as Daytona Spyders, aimed at a similar clientele and with similar price tags and performance on offer,
but only 11 Ghibli SS Spyders were built to European specification, without the ugly add-ons required by US
safety and emissions authorities, of which perhaps half were the desirable manual version such as the car
offered here. Secondly, the specification: this Spyder was ordered with all possible options, including hard top,
fitted luggage, air conditioning, power steering, Borrani wire wheels and Becker stereo system, not to mention
Mr. Benjamin’s special request overtaking lights and extra leather in the cabin. Also little known to most experts,
late Ghibli Spyders such as this car have a more attractive central dash layout, with chrome bezels surrounding
rocker switches rather than plainer lever controls. Thirdly, the car is very well documented, thanks to diligent
research over the years and factory assistance. Even the original certificate of origin is with the car, together with
copies of all order and purchase documentation which makes for a fascinating read if you’re keen (and if you’re
not, this isn’t the car for you). Finally, the depth and quality of the restoration by the best craftsmen in the
business. Each has major international concours credits to his name (Villa d’Este and Pebble Beach), and they
were given a free hand on this car.
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The extent of the restoration is too detailed to list
here, but this was not a commercial restoration:
it was a ‘ground up’ rebuild to cover every single
aspect of the car, supervised by Carrozzeria
Autosport (Bacchelli & Villa) with close follow up
in person and nothing compromised, no corner
cut and no expense spared. For example, the
distinctive paint colour, a typical period hue
rarely seen nowadays, was carefully matched by
top painter Pietro Cremonini and the original
two-pack formula used, which changes colour
depending on light and temperature. As a less
significant example, most owners would fit Pirelli
tyres to a car of this type, but the period
correspondence shows this Ghibli Spyder had
Michelins: they cost double and were fitted.
Much debate went on about the siting of the
Private Portfolio No. 055
1971 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS Spyder (manual)
Ab o v e: Modena, summer 2007. The restoration team proudly hands over the freshly restored Maserati Ghibli SS Spyder.
electric aerial, the hole for which had been previously filled; only after a long discussion between ex-factory
employees was the first of the two positions used in period chosen.
The engine and gearbox were completely rebuilt by Officina Candini (in the person of ex-Maserati race
mechanic Giuseppe Candini), as were suspension, brakes and steering. The rear axle was opened, checked
and found to be in good health. The electrics worked fine but were completely renewed by Modenese expert
William Gatti and all instruments and switchgear restored. Interior leather of the correct type, very hard to find
now that Connolly are no longer in business, was sourced and used in the cabin retrim, paying attention to the
first owner’s special request that the dash and tunnel should be in leather. The hood is new and all carpets too.
The only discreet divergences are as follows: the carpets are of a finer wool texture than the course type
originally employed, the wire wheels (newly made for the car by Borrani) have a 7.5” offset rather than 7”
(similar to factory alloys, giving a better look and handling), and the stereo is now a retro-look Becker (the same
make as originally fitted) with hidden GPS, iPod connection and telephone facility. All bills are available (try to
find another car restored in Italy about which that can be said!) documenting total expenditure in the region of
€150,000, not to mention an input of time and effort which would scare off all but the most determined and
fastidious owner. A substantial leather bound history and restoration file accompanies the car, which is Swiss
registered but supplied with its old Dutch (EU) title document.
Since completion of this work last year this exceptional Maserati Ghibli SS Spyder has been carefully run in and
is now ready for next summer- and many more- in a collection where only the very best is good enough.
Kidston SA
7 Avenue Pictet-de-Richemont
1207 Genève, Switzerland
Tel +41 22 740 1939
Fax +41 22 740 1945
info@kidston.com
www.kidston.com
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