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A true thoroughbred GT, it was powered by a 4.7 litre engine developing 315 hp. The dry-sump twincam V8 engine with four twin-choke carburettors differed from that used in the Mexico and Quattroporte of the same period, which followed a wet sump design. The model was originally devised as a two-seater, despite being 4.69 metres long and having a wheelbase of 2.55 metres. The Ghibli did become a 2+2 for production.
The chassis featured simple yet effective cart-sprung rear suspension, also found on the Quattroporte II which was introduced at the same time. The project was principally overseen by Engineer Alfieri and it was unveiled at the Turin Motor Show in late 1966 on the Ghia stand, with deliveries starting in March of the following year. The steel bodies (with an alloy bonnet) were manufactured by Vignale.
Named after an Egyptian desert storm wind, the Ghibli had another fantastic asset in its striking visual appearance, and it could easily have sold itself based on looks alone. Its dramatic styling was the work of a young Giorgetto Giugiaro, at that time working for the Ghia studio in Turin. Giugiaro himself describes it this way: “A very striking, long, flat bonnet, full-width radiator grille, pop-up headlights, a sharply angled windscreen, wide squat sidelights that ended in a vertical segment, and very clean flanks even though the coach-line did have lots of movement to it. The rear end was high for aerodynamic efficiency as well as functional reasons (the two fuel tanks lie behind the rear axle and have a very raised neck).”
Henry Ford II was so impressed by the Ghibli that he reportedly approached the Orsi family with an offer to buy the company from them. Other notable owners included Sammy Davis junior, Peter Sellers and Jean-Paul Belmondo.
Fron 1969 to 1973 Maserati offered an updated Model known as the SS. The engine included a new dry sump design had been devised in order to best accommodate the low bonnet line of Giugiaro’s sleek coupé, and was later used for the very same reason on the Khamsin. Horsepower was up to 335 which guaranteed a top speed of 280 kph (175 mph). This turned the Ghibli SS into the fastest Maserati road car in production. Prodigious braking performance came from the to twin-servo assisted ventilated discs with three pistons per calliper.
The equipment level was worthy of such a thoroughbred GT with adjustable steering column, anti-theft steering lock, leather upholstery, tinted & electric windows, reclining seats with head rests, heated rear windscreen, dashboard clock and even air conditioning were all came as standard
Specification listed for the SS model.
Story by Maserati S.p.A.
Read more at http://www.supercars.net/cars/1117.html#bVvEWxYWc6QuhcF2.99"
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