Chassis No. AM115S1185

Engine No. AM115S1185

Maserati's V8 powered Ghibli arrived in concept form at the 1966 Turin Motor Show, its wedge styling indicative of the future of sports car design and penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Ghia. Initially offered with the quad cam 4.7-liter Tipo AM115 V8 coupled with either a five-speed ZF manual transmission or an optional three-speed automatic, contemporary reports considered the Ghibli very much the equal of Ferrari's 12-cylinder 365 GTB/4 "Daytona," with the Ghibli's list price falling only around $1,000 shy of the Daytona's.

Even more sensational than the coupe was the handsome Ghibli Spyder, launched in 1969 and the direct rival of Ferrari's 365 GTS/4. Giugiaro's styling for an open Ghibli-defined by the classic proportions of a long, sleek hood and steeply raked windscreen-was arguably even more successful than the original closed coupe and is rightly regarded as an all-time classic of sports car design. Well designed and easy to operate, the soft-top folded down beneath a lift-up panel when not required, thus preserving the Spyder's clean lines. An optional factory hardtop, designed with expansive glass sections, transformed the Spyder into a true all-weather grand tourer, though with just approximately 25 examples equipped with this coveted accessory, it remains exceptionally rare today. Ghibli production ceased in 1973 after approximately 125 Spyder models had been built. One of the most stunning sports cars ever made, the Ghibli was a worthy rival for the Ferrari Daytona just as it did 40 years ago.

This outstanding Ghibli Spyder, chassis number 1185, stands as one of a mere 125 examples produced, and more specifically, as one of just 56 chassis fitted with the potent combination of the 4.7-liter V8 engine and optional ZF five-speed manual transmission. According to factory documentation from Maserati Classiche, this U.S.-market chassis left the Modena works in July 1970, three months after its April commission, finished in Argento Auteuil (106 E 1) over Nero hides (1560). The car's original specification included several highly desirable factory options: Borrani wire wheels, a Becker Grand Prix radio a with power antenna, power-assisted steering, and the extraordinarily rare color-matched removable hardtop.

Initial delivery was handled through Foreign Car City, Inc. of West Nyack, New York, Maserati's East Coast distribution partner. While early ownership remains undocumented, the Spyder underwent its first documented cosmetic refurbishment in the 1990s, emerging in red with a black interior. The car's documented history resumes in the early 2000s, showing successive ownership in Arizona and Washington State before Italian car enthusiast Bob Gett of Sudbury, Massachusetts, acquired the Ghibli in 2003. Under his stewardship, the specialists at KTR European Motorsports of Ayer, Massachusetts, performed comprehensive mechanical preparation, enabling the car's successful participation in the New England 1000 and Copperstate 1000 rallies.

Passing to a Pound Ridge, New York-based collector in 2008, the Maserati continued to receive maintenance from Tim Marinos Auto Re-Creations. More recent refinements included a complete repaint in an elegant light metallic blue finish complementing fresh black leather upholstery, along with the fitment of 15-inch Campagnolo alloy wheels. Extensive mechanical and cosmetic attention was carried out by Team CJ Works of Austin, Texas throughout 2021 and 2022, as documented by digital invoices on file. Today, this matching-numbers Ghibli Spyder presents as a beautifully restored example, equally suited to both rally participation and selective concours appearances. The car is accompanied by an impressive array of original equipment, including a complete set of five 15 by 6.5-inch chrome Borrani wire wheels, two-piece luggage set, factory literature and manuals, tool roll, jack, and Maserati Classiche documentation.

The Ghibli Spyder is widely considered to be one of the finest open grand touring cars Maserati has ever constructed, fashioned in the great Italian tradition of poise, elegance, and power. A vehicle which possesses flash and dash in equal measure, with beauty, rarity, and timeless appeal. This 1970 Maserati Ghibli Spyder with factory five-speed gearbox and rare factory hard top represents an opportunity to own one of the most beautiful open GTs of the period.