Maserati Ghibli 4,7 Spyder by Ghia
|
Automobilhersteller : |
Maserati |
|---|---|
|
Modell: |
Ghibli 4,7 Spyder by Ghia |
|
Jahr: |
1969-1973 |
|
Art: |
Roadster |
The Ghibli was first unveiled in prototype form on the Maserati stand at the November 1966 Turin Motor Show. Its steel body, characterized by a low, shark-shaped nose, was designed by a young Giorgetto Giugiaro, then working at Ghia. Deliveries started in March of the following year. If the 1966 Ghia prototype was a two-seater, on the production car two emergency rear seats were added—consisting nothing more than a cushion without backrest—and the Ghibli was marketed as a 2+2.
The car was powered by a front placed quad-cam 4.7 L, 335 PS (246 kW; 330 bhp) dry sump V8 engine paired with to a five-speed manual or, or request, to a three-speed automatic transmission. It had a 0-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds, a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). The car also featured pop-up headlamps, leather sport seats and alloy wheels.
The convertible Ghibli Spyder went into production in 1969. Its convertible top folded away under a flush fitting body-colour tonneau cover behind the front seats; thus the Spyder eschewed any vestigial rear passenger accommodation, and was a strict two-seater. A removable hard top was available as an option.
The 4.9-litre Ghibli SS was released in 1969. Its V8 engine was stroked 4 mm to displace 4930 cc, and put out 335 PS (246 kW; 330 bhp); its top speed of 280 km/h (174 mph) made it the fastest Maserati road car ever produced. SS-engined cars have additional /49 designation (ex. AM115/49).
In all, 1,170 coupés and 125 Spyders (including 25 Spyder SS) were produced. In 1973 the Ghibli went out of production and found a successor the following year with the Bertone-designed Maserati Khamsin.
