The original Maserati Ghibli is not the kind of car you see very often.
Its simple, timeless, classy looks, unspoiled by cuts and creases, are not hungry for attention, which means the car can slip under your radar. But then again, for a connoisseur, its beauty can be mesmerizing.
It may have a Ghia badge, but it was actually designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro who at the time, was working for the Italian coachbuilder.
The Ghibli was known for its superb handling characteristics. It was predictable, balanced and forgiving, just as a luxurious grand tourer should be – high praise for a car conceived in the 60’s. Its secret lies in the front mid-mounted engine. Speaking of which, the 4.7-litre V8 four cam boasts 330BHP, sufficient to propel the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 6.8 seconds.
The Ghibli became a highly desirable car not only for its beauty and performance, but for its rarity as well. From the total 1,295 built, only 125 were Spyder variants, which means these cars are very sought after, as the drop top version of the Ghibli is exceedingly rare.
Needless to say, a Maserati Ghibli Spyder (in good condition) now fetches an obscene amount of money, anything from $600,000 to almost $900,000. But how much cash do you think the very first Ghibli Spyder is worth?
This yellow marvel carries the AM115/S 1001 chassis number, which means it's the first Spyder ever produced. It was imported in the United States in 1975 and was driven for 41,000 miles, until 1986, before being “properly stored” for 29 years. Its current owner got it re-commissioned in order to bring it to its former glory.
Sporting the original “Giallo” (yellow) paintjob alongside the original “Testa di Moro” brown interior, the car is being auctioned by RM Sotheby at Monterey Car Week, in August. It is estimated to fetch between $1,200,000 and $1,800,000, but one should look at it as an investment.
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