Description
A strong contender for the title of “most handsome car of the 1960s,” Maserati's Ghibli debuted in coupe form at the Turin Motor Show in November 1966. Styled at Carrozzeria Ghia by Giorgetto Giugiaro and named after a Sahara desert wind, the Ghibli rivaled the Ferrari Daytona for straight-line performance – top speed was almost 275 km/h (170 mph) – while beating it for price. Over 4,5m long and 1.8m wide, the Ghibli took up an inordinate amount of space for a simple two-seater, but perhaps the most startling aspect of its appearance was its height, or rather lack of it.
Dry-sump lubrication allowed the engine to be mounted deep within the chassis, allowing for a low bonnet line, while limited suspension travel ensured the tires did not foul the wheel arches. The roofline fell away from the top of the steeply raked windshield to the severed tail, giving Giugiaro a cabin lower than that of almost all of the Ghibli's contemporaries, albeit one with limited headroom for rear passengers.
Like the contemporary Mexico 2+2, the Ghibli used a shortened version of the Quattroporte sedan's tubular steel chassis in its live rear axle form. Instead of the more complex suspension designs favored by its rivals, the Ghibli used leaf springs and a single locating arm, a much easier-to-maintain setup.
The powerplant was Maserati's powerful, four-cam, 90-degree V8, an engine derived from that of the 450S sports racer and first seen road-going in the 5000GT. This was used in 4,7-litre form until 1970 when it was replaced by the 4,9-litre SS version to comply with increasingly strict emissions laws. The gain in horsepower was minimal, but in both cases the performance was astonishing, with 160 km/h (100 mph) achievable in less than 16 seconds. This breakneck acceleration was the result of the V8's enormous torque, making the Ghibli one of the most flexible and easy-to-drive GTs of its time. One of the most beautiful sports cars ever made, the Ghibli was a worthy rival to the Ferrari Daytona and represents exceptional value for money today, just as it did 40 years ago.
