Lot 028: 1978 Maserati Merak

Introduced at the October 1972 Paris Motor Show, the Maserati Merak (Tipo 122) was intended to rival the Ferrari 308GT4 and Lamborghini Urraco. Named after a star from the Ursa Major constellation, the compact 2+2 sportscar's styling deliberately aped that of its Bora supercar sibling (both models being penned by Giorgetto Giugairo). Based around a steel monocoque chassis equipped with all-round independent double-wishbone suspension, four-wheel ventilated disc brakes and rack-and-pinion steering, the Merak was powered by a longitudinally-mounted 'quad-cam' 2965cc V6 engine allied to a five-speed transaxle gearbox. Fed by triple Weber carburettors, the powerplant (a smaller capacity version of which had already seen service in the Citroen SM) was credited with 190bhp and 188lbft of torque. Reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 7.5 seconds and 140mph in standard tune, an even quicker Merak - the SS - made its debut at the March 1975 Geneva Motor Show. Always something of a rarity in the UK, just 231 Meraks are thought to have been officially imported between 1973 and 1982. Finished in blue with grey leather upholstery, this particular example is variously described by the vendor as being in "average" (interior trim, electrical equipment), "good" (gearbox, bodywork, paintwork, wheels / tyres) or "very good" (engine, chassis) condition. Reportedly "sold new to the UK in 1978 but exported soon after to Singapore where it was put on showroom display, resprayed and customised with gold trim", 'PNP 524T' is further understood to have been re-imported to Britain during 2003 and "prepared as a HSCC 1970s Roadsport Class B racer including a major mechanical overhaul: suspension, brakes, gearbox, steering rack, track rods". Converted back to a road car earlier this year, the Merak now carries a carburettor-fed 2.7litre SM V6. Said to have been overhauled by specialist A. Brodie Engineering some 7,000 miles ago, the unit in question boasts "solid exhaust valves (a �2,500 job) and injection profile camshafts for more power". While, most of the interior trim has been reinstated the tired carpets have been left in the boot (the better to show off the "rust free chassis"). An intriguing prospect despite "two faulty gauges", this well-travelled Maserati is offered for sale with scrutineering documents and MOT certificate valid until May 2009.