Merak front end paint outs?? | FerrariChat
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Merak front end paint outs??

Discussion in 'Maserati' started by JulianMerak, Jul 17, 2012.

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  1. JulianMerak

    JulianMerak Formula 3

    Dec 8, 2010
    1,104
    Melbourne, Australia
    #1 JulianMerak, Jul 17, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Are there any hard and fast rules with regard to the frond end paint outs on Meraks? I have a 1980 SS which I bought without any front spoiler or black paint out on the front valance and I painted it to match period shots of late Meraks. I found the mounting holes for the spoiler so I'm pretty certain that is correct BUT...Now I am wondering if I was returning it to factory condition or not. Does anyone know for sure? The factory brochures of the time are so dark it is hard to know for sure!

    I enclose a picture of my car ten years ago complete with black paint under the front and spoiler



    Julian
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  2. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Bob
    #2 staatsof, Jul 17, 2012
    My 77 Bora came with the front painted in black in front in a somewhat similar fashion to that. Maybe a bit lower though? It wasn't Rosso Rubino all the way to where the bodywork stopped underneath. I got it with about 2,000 miles on it too.

    I don't know if that helps though.
     
  3. wbaeumer

    wbaeumer F1 Veteran
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    #3 wbaeumer, Jul 17, 2012
    Julian,
    your Merak looks very nice in that silver!
     
  4. SpyderGT

    SpyderGT Formula Junior

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    #4 SpyderGT, Jul 17, 2012
    +1
     
  5. Merak1974

    Merak1974 Formula 3

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    Gabriel R.G. Benito
    #5 Merak1974, Jul 17, 2012
    One of my favourite photos of a Merak SS :)
     
  6. JulianMerak

    JulianMerak Formula 3

    Dec 8, 2010
    1,104
    Melbourne, Australia
    #6 JulianMerak, Jul 17, 2012
    Thanks!!

    Now you have me reconsidering my decision to repaint in its original Celeste Chiaro

    Did the black paint go with the front spoiler always?
     
  7. Merak1974

    Merak1974 Formula 3

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    Gabriel R.G. Benito
    #7 Merak1974, Jul 17, 2012
    Hi Julian,
    Nordbye's book on the Bora & Merak has a great colour shot of a red SS on page 71. The pattern looks basically identical to that on yours. The yellow SS on the front cover of his book also looks the same. So, the paint job on your car after installation of the front spoiler looks spot-on. However, judging from various photos in the Maserati Cars - Performance Portfolio 1971-1982 volume, it seems that the cars without the front spoiler also had a similar black paint pattern. It may seem that all Euro-spec SS models had the lower front section painted black, regardless of whether or not they have the front spoiler.

    Best,
    Gabriel
     
  8. Merak1974

    Merak1974 Formula 3

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    Gabriel R.G. Benito
    #8 Merak1974, Jul 17, 2012
    I think the the Merak looks great in Celeste Chiaro, especially the early version without front spoiler and boot air intake, smaller white lights etc., which all together makes it look slimmer and somewhat less cluttered - for lack of a better word - than the SS... But, if originality isn't an overiding concern at this point, I think it's hard to improve on your silver SS :)
     
  9. c20500

    c20500 Karting

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    Charles
    #9 c20500, Jul 17, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Yours looks like mine (1980ss) which had the spoiler. So I think you front black paint is accurate and not too low

    Regards
    Charles
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