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when it was superseded by the 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