Thoughts on this 1980 Merak SS?

Not really in the market for one at the moment, but trying to learn more about the model, plus things to look for and things to consider. Exploring the idea of selling something in the next couple years to make room for one in the garage; I just think they're super cool and not break-the-bank money so I'm kicking the idea around. I've seen some dogs on the BHCC site, but this presents well (to my untrained eye) and the price seems reasonable, given some other asking prices out there.

Thoughts?

https://www.beverlyhillscarclub.com/1980-maserati-merak-ss-c-14766.htm

 

The hole cut in the roof should be looked at carefully

 

I have a real soft spot for these so sit tight. They are the current bargain car in this category, but only for now IMO. Finding a good example is most important, and this one actually looks pretty good sans that sunroof. 3-5 year maintenance is far less than a typical 308/328, and less involved in general as these have timing chains and Bosch electronic ignition, and no typical water pump to worry about as the water pump impeller is attached directly to the end of the jack shaft. Having rebuilt several 308 engines now, and recently doing a Merak engine, I can say with certainty that rebuilding a Merak engine is easier and less involved than a 308. Parts such as main and rod bearings, gaskets etc are all available very reasonable (less than equivalent Ferrari) if you know where to look. With this example having little no documentation re major engine work it may very well need a rebuild in the future, 40+ year old engines need things..... The head gaskets and water pump seal are probably looking rough by now.

some facts I have discovered in my research of these:

the engine: Maserati was told by Citroen to make a very low V6 to stuff it under a SM bonnet. Maserati could not make a 60 degree unit for this reason, so 90 degrees it was to be. The engine is wider than it is long and weighs some 309lbs with flywheel. It's compact. The odd fire sequence has often been negatively commented on as they say it's unbalanced at high rpm, this is totally bogus. The engine is internally balanced hence why it has no harmonic balancer, and is capable of revving, in race trim, to kingdom come. Cosworth developed a similar engine with identical bore and stroke and odd fire for the famous MG 6R4 group 5 rally car engine, 3L monster revs to 11,000rpm. Maserati developed the SM/Merak engine for Ligier, which raced and won its category at Lemans in 1973-75 with a 2 valve (1973) and then 4 valve Merak engine that also revved extremely high, beating several Porsche RSR and Ferrari Daytona's.

The 220bhp figure quoted by Maserati in Euro trim is a far more honest figure than the 245-255bhp figure Ferrari quoted for 308s. The 'correct' Ferrari output number for a 308 with Euro spec cams (76-77 US cars were given Euro spec cams) is 231bhp. Having owned both and driven many others I am certain the Maserati engine has more torque and the Citroen gearbox shifts overall better, but the 'correct' Merak SS figure is indeed about 220bhp. Note all US SS examples were given Euro spec cams and compression. The emissions equipment such as the headers are what choked these engines.

weight: I have weighed mine since installing Euro bumpers and exhaust, and half a tank of fuel it weighs 2916lbs. I have a pic of the car on the corner scales too. This is about identical to my 76 Euro 308GTB and same weight as a '80 BMW M1 for that matter, one is nearby me.

If you haven't already, I would watch Harry's garage video on these.



These are very cheap in the US, for now. This is not the case overseas for proper Euro spec SS cars, especially the very late (most desirable) SS examples with no Citroen hydraulics (internally called the Tipo 80). Note none of the US market SS cars have Citroen hydraulics, so they are already like the Tipo 80 in that regard. Change the bumpers to to Euro spec bumpers as well as the exhaust and you have a Tipo 80 in your garage. Within the last year I swapped to Euro bumpers on a Merak SS. It's a 2 day job and there's a bit of fabrication and cutting involved at the rear underbody, but nothing major and no paintwork required sans the lower valance panel. Proper Euro bumpers are available and are very reasonable these days, as is the exhaust.



This looks to be an overall good example, again sans that sunroof. I wouldn't hesitate as they won't stay at this market price for long. Glad to help however I'm able. The Merak group email list is a great worldwide resource and knows essentially, well, everything about these.

 

I own a 1982 car, one of the 68 cars in EU-specs that came without any Citroen-stuff in it.
Bought it in 2000 and loved every minute in it since.

 

Thank you very much for that detailed reply, that must have taken some time to write, much appreciated!

I've been aware of the Merak for what feels like forever; I remember seeing the odd classified ad selling one 25-30 years ago (for very cheap money, but I was a kid with no business buying something like that) and read some less than glowing things about the model at that time, often having to do with rust and the Citroen connection, IIRC. But I always thought it was a cool car, so lately have been taking a fresh look, and liking what I'm finding. I've already been poking around the Merak group page and have seen many of the videos out there on YT, including the Harry's garage one; I hadn't realized the US SS cars were sans the Citroen hydraulics, interesting. Is the general consensus to stay away from the sunroof cars, or just inspect that area carefully?

I have a few balls in the air at the moment (among them getting a proper detached garage built), so not in a position to jump immediately; hopefully within the year I'll be able to rearrange a few things and start looking in earnest. Again, thanks for the info.

 

None came with sunroof. The one on this car was aftermarket.

Ivan

 

I love the look of the merekSS but I have owned one Maserati. The rep they have is deserved.

 

Is that good rep or a bad rep?

 

And there was -at least- one spider or better "Targa"-version of the car in the US. This car was white.

 

Commissioned by the Steering wheel dealership in Fort Lauderdale which at the time was the top selling dealer in the USA as explained by Tom Clark st and Jr in their interview in my 2013 book. I think the car is now in SoCal.

 

Based upon the model and vehicle ownership of a single Maserati?
You failed statistics didn't you ...

What if your Ferrari experience was limited to a Mondial Coupe?

 

Owned a Mondial cab. It was a great car.

What you may not understand is manufacturers have a personality. What is in one model is shared in others in concept and materials. Ferrari closed bocks. Maserati open blocks make for increased challenges in long term head gasket sealing as just one example.

 

Vintage Steering Wheel t shirt in my closet



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which Maserati model did you own?

 

I bet it was a Chrysler TC.

 

I've also though Meraks were cool since back in the day. Got to be hard to find a well sorted one, though.

 

I had a Badass quatroporte 3 with modified suspension running perfectly tuned motor custom headers and exhaust I drove as a daily during the years MIE was ricambi of the day. It was beast better than an S class of its time . I also crewed and spent seat time in a biturbo racecar. I wrenched a good bit on masers.

 

I have had two Meraks, One SS with Bora dash and one SS motor in a Citroen Merak. Guess which one I kept? I love the Citroen components, once sorted (which is easy to work on) they are awesome and quirky which I like in cars. Mine is a original car (I am second owner) and I have all documents back to the original bill of sale. I purchased it from the widow of the original buyer. Even my AC blows cold. Its a fun car and i am usually the only Merak in a sea of Ferraris at the Italian car shows.

 

Nice to read, congratulations.

You mean you have an early Merak with the SM dashboard. Then there was an intermediate version called the Merak dash (when people complained they did not want the same interior as an SM). The Bora dash is the final and quite rare, very desirable version but it is nice to see you take the opposite view from the norm. Maserati owners after all do their own thinking, do not follow the herd right?

I fondly recall riding in one with my father when I was about 12 and then driving one in Colorado in 1997, very agile and of course much lighter than a Bora. I have driven many Boras but that was the only time I drove a Merak somehow.

 

Yes, mine is the SM dashboard and components. Your right about Maserati owners, and I probably take it a bit farther as I like cars that are different than the norm usually. What state are you in? you are welcome to take mine for a spin.
J

 

Thanks Jason, very kind. I was in Arizona and Nevada in November but actually live in France and have no plans right now for any other US trip. Enjoy your car and post some photos if you can

Here is an ad from Maserati Germany when my father ran Citroen Germany 75-77, the time he brought a Merak home to our Bad Godesberg house he initially had me sit behind but after a while I asked to sit in front and he relented as he had to admit those back seats are very cramped!

A few years later in Paris I rode in one where the front seats were already taken but thankfully that lasted just a few minutes.


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Pay super attention to this.

Matt

 

This should give a potential buyer some insight:

https://www.eurospares.co.uk/Maserati/Merak/Merak_3.0/PartDiagrams/032/Front_Body
https://www.eurospares.co.uk/Maserati/Merak/Merak_3.0/PartDiagrams/033/Body_Shell

Those flying buttresses are fiberglass and not structural.

 

Well, I am in France many times a year but sadly without the Merak Good luck with your search, I will be in Arizona at the Scottsdale auctions end of the month and will keep my eyes open for one.
J

 

If you come to Retromobile let me know, I will be there. Not looking for a Merak now though. all the best