In 1967, Maserati unveiled the initial version of the Ghibli. At that time, it was not a sedan, but a stunning coupe belonging to the GT class. The car boasted spaciousness inside and exceptional performance on the road.
Source: Classic Digest
Maserati Ghibli had emerged as a true masterpiece of the esteemed Italian brand. Right from its initial production, this sports vehicle caught attention with its distinctive exterior and interior design, along with impressive technical features. Its popularity soared to such heights that the manufacturer decided to release three generations of the automobile. During the 60s and 70s, this two-seat coupe even found itself in competition with renowned vehicles like the Ferrari Daytona and Lamborghini Miura.
Source: Bonhams
The Ghibli should have been destined for failure according to the established rules of automotive engineering set by Detroit. However, as often happens, the Italians managed to pull off a daring design feat. When Maserati introduced the rule-breaking Ghibli in 1966, instead of facing backlash, it received praise and admiration. Even Henry Ford II himself bought one of the first models for a staggering $19,000 – equivalent to the cost of four new Thunderbirds at the time! This model became an iconic symbol for the brand, setting new standards and expectations for the years to come. Named after the winds of Egypt, the Ghibli was the remarkable achievement of Giorgetto Giugiaro, a young and promising designer working for Carrozzeria Ghia in Turin. Giugiaro worked diligently to surpass his competitors at Bertone and Pininfarina and secure contracts for his employer. In a remarkable three-month span in 1966, Giugiaro managed to create the Ghibli, a stunning two-seat coupe. From 1967 to 1972, Ghia produced 1,150 coupes and 125 convertibles for Maserati.
Source: The Coolector
The first automobile appeared in 1967, created by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Atelier Ghia. Available as a 2+2 fastback coupe or a two-seat convertible, it featured a long bonnet, low roof, and pop-up headlights. The Ghibli shared the basic running gear with the Quattroporte sedan and the Mexico coupe, but the 4.7-liter V8 engine had a dry sump lubrication system, racing pedigree, equipped with two overhead camshafts and four Weber carburetors. To set it as low as possible, it had to use a dry sump lubrication system, a flat air filter, and a central bulge on the hood. This spectacular coupe with an impressively long hood, a wide windshield, a low-sloping roof on thin pillars, and a chopped tail was the epitome of Casa del Tridente (“House of the Trident”). The front of the model was reminiscent of an aggressive shark’s nose, with twin round pop-up headlights and a full-width black mesh grille that doubled as the front bumper. The automobile had a steel body of a semi-supporting structure, reinforced with tubular elements and a front subframe. The car’s front suspension included double wishbones and springs that operated independently, while the rear suspension relied on semi-elliptical springs. Both suspensions were equipped with telescopic shock absorbers and anti-roll bars. The engine had a capacity of 4719 cm3 and generated 330 horsepower, allowing the 1600 kg car to reach a top speed of 265 km/h. Fuel consumption was enormous even for a supercar (28 l/100 km on average), so it had two separate 50L tanks. The Maserati “super weapon” had excellent handling and an elegant interior as the GT-class model. The interior features leather-upholstered adjustable seats, a Nardi wooden steering wheel with three perforated spokes, a concave instrument panel with electroluminescent gauges, and a tall center console. A 5-speed manual transmission, power-assisted Girling disc brakes, magnesium alloy wheels, power windows, and air conditioning were standard equipment, while power steering, a 3-speed Borg Warner automatic transmission, and Borrani spoked wheels were on the options list.
Source: Hillbank Motor Sports
In 1967, when the model debuted, the Italian company assembled additional open-top 125 Ghiblis, called Spyder at the request of the brand’s fans. Today these vehicles are considered rare and expensive trophies for any classic car collector.
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