Ivan, That mechanic sounds very phony to me and to the expert I just called. I just spoke to Pascal at Trident one of the top classic Maserati mechanics in France (cf Classiche Masters book) , he had four Khamsins and a couple of Ghiblis last time I was there and has handled countless Ghiblis. He had a look under a Ghibli because he found the idea really bizarre. He concluded it would be a very protracted, involved, complicated process and that you would have to remove the gearbox as well. He asked why not just do an oil pressure test with a high quality gauge fitted directly to the engine? That would give all the answers. Has the mechanic taken photos of what he claims to have seen? One other thing; there are no bearings on a Ghibli crank but of course I assume this is a translation matter. I really think that mechanic is trying to rip off his client. One actually wonders whether he really did remove the oil pan... I would advise the client to get a second opinion.
Very nice Euro Ghibli spyder with its hardtop for sale. Priced at around $700K seems like a fair deal. https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/exceptional-2-owner-maserati-ghibli-spyder-with-hardtop.683509/ Ivan Image Unavailable, Please Login
Nice Ghibli spyder on Bring a Trailer. I have no financial interest in this sale. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1970-maserati-ghibli-spyder/ Ivan
Ivan, Looking at the auction, I see that you found out the original engine of that spyder and let the owner acquire it, nice help!
Sometimes the stars align and good thing happen. It was a lucky coincidence that I ended up with a cut spyder with an original spyder engine, and that I knew the owner of the real spyder. Ivan
Unfortunately RNM for that nice spyder at $526,000. Due to the echtic story of its drivetrain? Or simply not enough bidders and a too high reserve in a continuing downtrend of the market?
The engine was 100% the original and the swap from auto to 5-speed should not have affected the price that much. This was more an indication of a very soft market that continues its downward trend. Ivan
Hi BobJ. There is a thread about Timevalve 4 tip exhaust system here. https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/ghibli-quad-tip-exhaust.363439/#post-141459774 It looks very nice, but had a long lead time when I enquired. If you are considering a current ANSA system, you may like to search for TridenteFury s post about his 3500 gt system which he thought was so bad he was offering it for free… Hope that helps. Mark
Hi Mark: Thanks for the information. I have found a company in Italy using original ANSA tooling to create new exhaust systems. I'm currently in discussions with them. https://www.motorbikeplanet.com/en/module/ambjolisearch/jolisearch?s=maserati+ghibli+4.9
Anyone ever heard of this? One of one, apparently. https://www.wcdreammachines.com/1970-maserati-ghibli-sss
Jan 2019 issue of Octane magazine had an article about the car. If I’m not mistaken, it was penned by none other than Marc S. (Nembo1777 on here). Interesting, but yellow and solid colours in general not my favourite on a Ghibli. Season’s best to all. Mark
Officially, this car was never labeled as an "SSS". I met the owner about 10 years ago when he wanted to sell his car for a silly price.
Philippe Cornet Epinat, extremely wealthy heir and financial backer of Jean Thepenier the French Maserati importer, had a lot of influence at the factory and requested a new higher performance SS which cost him 40% more than standard car. The factory bent over backwards for him as he kept bringing it back to Modena for improvements, he drove very hard and very fast in an era without speed limits or traffic. It achieved about 380hp and I can confirm it was very, very strong, having driven it quite a lot in Provence over two days in June 2018 for my Octane Magazine UK article. It was sold by me and a friend in July 2022 to a Canadian collector and flown from Cologne Germany to Toronto. The owner is in Vancouver and has several Ghiblis. The appellation SSS is indeed unofficial but like some other unofficial car nicknames (Ferrari "Daytona" anyone?!) it stuck. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Marc, difference is, that we are talking Ferrari Daytona for the entire serie of the that Ferrari type while this Ghibli was nothing more than a very strong Ghibli SS - and not an "SSS" which was more the "label" given to the car by Monsieur Epinat....
Here's another unique Ghibli, this one aesthetically different with modified tail lights and a red-on-silver pinstripe. Not sure what I think of that, but it looks like a very nice car. It this one "known"? I see the Boch Collection tag on the back, although CA plates. Maybe a new addition?
I believe this one is the Ghibli once owned by Frank Sinatra. But I don't think it is a 1974 model, as I believe Ghibli's were not made in 1974... Mike
Hi Guys, I think Ivan is correct, I believe these lights might have been an option in the US, I seem to recall Ivan posting an image from the US parts catalogue showing these lights. They are on a number of other Ghiblis too, here's a period road test showing them on the test vehicle
Yes that is Ghibli #1564 ex Wes Farrell, Frank Sinatra, George Hamilton car. Know the car very well it was owned for many years by a friend here in Hershey. I probably should have bought the car when he asked if I was interested. Image Unavailable, Please Login
That's an impressive list. I'd love to see a video of Pavarotti getting in and out of one ... Enzo Stuardi ... I thought there was something familiar about that name. https://www.lambocars.com/lamborghini-powered-enzo-stuarti-sonata-for-sale-on-ebay/ A couple of friends of mine ended up with that thing ... mercifully it was disassembled for its valuable parts.
Yes, that's right! And the FAS on the plate is his initials. I recall seeing this car for sale by Sheehan not that long ago. Here is the listing: https://ferraris-online.com/cars/1970-maserati-ghibli-coupe-1564/ Thanks Mike!
Wow, I would never have guessed. But I shouldn't be surprised at how often I'm surprised. So many factory variations. Parts bin, I guess, like the 365s. I wonder if they just ran out of the other style tail lights toward the end of the production run...or a momentary lapse in availability. Poor concours judges!
Never heard that Breznev had a Maserati. He was given by German CHancelor Willy Brandt a Mercedes 450S 4.9...that he crashed when he hopprd in and driving away downhill from his body guards.....
