Lot 133: 1981 Maserati Merak SS Coupé
Coachwork by Ital Design

Maserati followed-up its first mid-engined supercar - the Bora - with the similar Merak. Launched in 1972, the latter was intended as competition for Ferrari’s top-selling Dino 246 and used a stretched, 3-litre, 190bhp version of the four-cam V6 that had debuted in the Citroen SM. The French firm owned Maserati at the time, so the Merak made use of the SM’s transmission and power-operated, all-disc braking and, more controversially, Citroen’s quirky instrumentation, though this applied to lefthand-drive cars only, right-hand drive examples using the more conventional fascia of the Bora. The unitary-construction chassis, all-independent suspension and impeccable handling remained basically as the V8-engined Bora’s, though the Merak offered the convenience of ‘+2’ seating in the rear and superior all-round vision thanks to its distinctive rear ‘flying buttresses’.

Competition from Ferrari’s new Dino V8 prompted the introduction of a more powerful version - the Merak SS with 220bhp engine and revised interior - for 1975, ZF transmission being adopted shortly after. Widely recognised as one of the finest, if not the finest, of contemporary V6s, the Merak SS engine proved smooth, powerful and capable of delivering its urge over a surprisingly wide range for such a high performance engine. Like any true thoroughbred, the Merak possessed handling commensurate with its breathtaking acceleration and 150mph maximum speed. ‘Performance and handling are the raison d’etre of a mid-engined sportscar, and the Merak’s astounding cornering power is a match for its straight-line punch,’ observed Motor magazine.

Changes made to the SS suspension greatly improved ride comfort over that of the original Merak, while alterations to the instrumentation, switchgear, and interior, and the phasing out of the Citroen brakes in favour of a more conventional system addressed some of the criticisms levelled at the earlier version. The most successful Maserati of its day, the Merak ceased production in 1983 after 1,832 had been built, 626 of them the Merak SS.

Purchased new by the immediately preceding owner (the Swiss Maserati importer) and driven only by him, this Merak SS was delivered with an interior sumptuously trimmed to special order in leather, the material being applied to the transmission tunnel and door panels as well as the seats, and has covered just 10,787 kilometres from new. The car was bought by the vendor – only its 2nd owner from new – at Bonhams & Brooks’ auction of the Swiss Maserati Importer Collection at Les Grandes Marques à Monaco Sale in May 2001 (Lot 216) since when it has scarcely been driven. Given this limited use, a full mechanical check over is advised before returning it to the road.

Finished in Argento (silver), the car is equipped with electric windows and period radio/cassette, and comes complete with ‘space saver’ spare wheel. Not reregistered since acquisition in 2001, this exceptionally well-preserved ‘time warp’ Merak SS is offered with cancelled Swiss Permis de Circulation and is probably the finest example of its kind in existence.




Achetée neuve par l’avant-dernier propriétaire (l’importateur suisse Maserati) et conduite uniquement par lui, cette Merak SS fut livrée avec un intérieur somptueusement garni sur commande spéciale en cuir, cette matière recouvrant le tunnel de transmission et les contre-portes ainsi que les sièges. Elle n’a parcouru que 10 787 km au total. La voiture a été acquise par le vendeur – son deuxième propriétaire seulement – de la collection l’importateur Maserati suisse à la vente Bonhams & Brooks « Les Grandes Marques à Monaco » en mai 2001 (Lot n° 216) et elle très peu roulé depuis. En raison de ce faible kilométrage, une révision mécanique complète est conseillée avant toute utilisation.

Peinte en Argento (argent), la voiture est équipée de glaces électriques, d’une radio-cassette d’époque et d’une roue de secours galette. Non ré-immatriculée depuis 2001, cette Merak SS, exceptionnellement bien conservée « hors du temps » et accompagnée d’un Permis de Circulation suisse périmé, est probablement le plus bel exemplaire de cette voiture en existence.