Lot 215: 1995 Maserati Ghibli ‘Open Cup’ Coupé

First applied to its fabulous, Ghia-styled supercar of the 1960s, Maserati revived the ‘Ghibli’ name for an ultra high performance Biturbo variant in the 1990s. Introduced in 1992, the Ghibli 2.24v came with a 24-valve version of the 1,996cc Biturbo V6 engine, while a six-speed manual gearbox and limited-slip differential were standard equipment on this luxuriously equipped supercar.
One of just 1,133 examples produced between 1992 and 1997, this left-hand drive Ghibli 2.24v was used to contest the 1995 Ghibli Open Cup, a relatively low-cost, one-make race series held over eight rounds at some of Europe’s premier venues. The series’ Technical Regulations specified that the engine, turbochargers, gearbox and differential must be sealed by the manufacturer before the car’s delivery to the customer, and no operation other than ordinary maintenance of these components was permitted. Any tuning was forbidden and exotic fuel mixes banned. Along with the strictly limited number of tyres available, these rules ensured an exceptional equality in performance as well as tight control of costs. Maserati’s technical staff were on hand throughout the season to assist competitors with set up and preparation.
Ghibli Open Cup chassis number ‘00361226’ was once owned by Italian Maurizio Sconti, who competed with this car in the Selenia Maserati Ghibli Open Cup Championship during the 1995 season, eventually finishing 8th overall in the final general classification (full results list available). After Sconti missed the last race at Magny Cours, the Ghibli was placed in storage, effectively disappearing until a court in Bologna announced details of its sale by auction. The car was quite dirty but in practically the same condition as last raced in 1995. It still had its race number, ‘14’ and even the differential and electronic management system remained sealed by Maserati.
‘00361226’ had covered fewer than 1,500km at that time and was sent by its new owner to well-known specialist Guiseppe Candini’s workshop, close to Carozzeria Campana in the outskirts of Modena. Candini’s experience dates back to Maserati’s 1950’s heyday, when he was mechanic to World Champion Juan Manual Fangio, working on the latter’s 250F. Candini has been entrusted with many high profile restoration projects, including Tipo 420M/58 Eldorado, various 5000GTs, the 16-cylinder Tipo V4 engine, A6G/2000s, A6GCS and many more.
At Candini’s, the engine, gearbox, clutch, turbos and electrical wiring were checked and all worn parts replaced. The suspension was removed, cleaned and readjusted, as were the brakes, while the body received careful surface treatment wherever necessary and was returned to perfect shape.
Having previously owned two Ghibli Open Cups (‘00361228’ and ‘00361230’), the vendor purchased ‘00361226’ in the autumn of 2005, since when it has formed part of his private collection of Maseratis but not been used. The car was checked over again in 2006 and found to produce 330bhp on the dynamometer. Fastidiously maintained, it has had only one outing since, for a photo shoot, but has not been used on either road or track.
Of the 1995 season’s original 22 Ghibli Open Cups, not more than 15 survive and ‘00361226’ is almost certainly the last remaining in the ’95 series configuration. It is unspoiled, never crashed and in practically ‘showroom’ condition – the odometer currently shows a mere 1,600km from new. A standard road Ghibli in this condition would be an exceptional find, so it is all the more remarkable to discover such a well preserved Ghibli Open Cup, the car that marked Maserati’s successful racing comeback after so many years’ absence from the racetracks.
Offered without reserve, ‘00361226’ comes with ‘Certificate of Origin’ from Maserati SpA verifying its originality.