The Merak was the result of Maserati’s decision to market a lower cost alternative to the V-8 Bora. Introduced at the Paris show in 1972, the beautiful Giugiaro-penned Merak shared most of its sheet metal with the Bora, the notable difference being a buttress treatment behind the cockpit as opposed to the Bora’s complicated and costly clamshell engine cover. Cost was kept in check by utilizing a 3-liter, 190-hp version of the V-6 that Maserati had developed for (Maserati’s then-owner) the Citroen SM. Similarly, the car’s dashboard, steering wheel, transaxle, and hydraulic boosted steering and brakes were sourced from Citroen. The combination of a smaller V-6 riding in the Bora chassis allowed Maserati to nominally add a small pair of rear seats to the Merak.
This first generation Merak went on sale in the U.S. in 1974 and lasted largely unchanged through 1976. In 1977, the higher powered, 220-hp Merak SS appeared at U.S. dealers, and it can easily be distinguished from the previous car by its “SS” badging, front spoiler, flat engine cover, and an interior that disposed of all Citroen pieces in favor of those of the Bora. Some like the quirky Citroen influence of the early cars, but these later SS cars with Bora interiors tend to command a premium in the U.S. market.
We are delighted to offer this rare and stunning 1980 Maserati Merak SS. As per the Maserati S.p.A. Certificate of Origin and Technical and Aesthetic Characteristics sheet, this car manufactured in January of 1980. It was refinished in its original color of Rosso Fuoco (Red) with Black (Connolly code VM 8500) interior. Furthermore it is a matching numbers car with original chassis number matching the original engine as confirmed by the Maserati S.p.A. certificate. We have the original Maserati S.pA. certificates from Modena Italy including a copy of the original Final Tests Data Sheet for this exact vehicle or chassis AM122/US*2580*.
This wonderful car was previously owned for nearly 40 years. The previous owner took exceptional care of this Merak SS throughout his ownership. He purchased the car on 6/14/1985 from Continental Motors of Hinsdale, IL with 7,939 miles. The car currently has 35,665 original miles since new. The previous owner was fastidious about keeping his service records and we have records going back to 1985. In addition, he commissioned a well known restoration and service shop to repaint the car in its original color in 2010 with about 30,200 miles on the car. The new gorgeous paint work was further accentuated with black (removable) vinyl decals. The interior is in excellent and astonishingly, it is in mostly original condition.
Since we purchased the car we had the original Weber carburetors rebuilt and installed a new more efficient alternator with new belts. The original alternator goes with the car. We also changed all fluids and converted the Air Conditioning to R134A, so the AC does blow very cold. In addition, we have checked the lights and tightened wheel bearings.
This Maserati Merak SS runs and drive beautifully. It handles tight and has plenty of power. The brakes stop straight with no fade. The oil pressure is excellent and we also checked the oil pressure manually and it was perfect. Furthermore, the car temperature well and does not over heat. The clutch engages nicely and the gearbox shifts smoothly. A modern radio was installed by the previous owner and works well with the electric antenna which also is functioning as it should and is original to the car. Overall this is an investment quality Maserati Merak SS with excellent history, very low miles and originality certified by Maserati S.p.A. This Maserati is in exceptional mostly original condition and a wonderful driver car ready to be enjoyed.
The Merak was the result of Maserati’s decision to market a lower cost alternative to the V-8 Bora. Introduced at the Paris show in 1972, the beautiful Giugiaro-penned Merak shared most of its sheet metal with the Bora, the notable difference being a buttress treatment behind the cockpit as opposed to the Bora’s complicated and costly clamshell engine cover. Cost was kept in check by utilizing a 3-liter, 190-hp version of the V-6 that Maserati had developed for (Maserati’s then-owner) the Citroen SM. Similarly, the car’s dashboard, steering wheel, transaxle, and hydraulic boosted steering and brakes were sourced from Citroen. The combination of a smaller V-6 riding in the Bora chassis allowed Maserati to nominally add a small pair of rear seats to the Merak.
This first generation Merak went on sale in the U.S. in 1974 and lasted largely unchanged through 1976. In 1977, the higher powered, 220-hp Merak SS appeared at U.S. dealers, and it can easily be distinguished from the previous car by its “SS” badging, front spoiler, flat engine cover, and an interior that disposed of all Citroen pieces in favor of those of the Bora. Some like the quirky Citroen influence of the early cars, but these later SS cars with Bora interiors tend to command a premium in the U.S. market.
We are delighted to offer this rare and stunning 1980 Maserati Merak SS. As per the Maserati S.p.A. Certificate of Origin and Technical and Aesthetic Characteristics sheet, this car manufactured in January of 1980. It was refinished in its original color of Rosso Fuoco (Red) with Black (Connolly code VM 8500) interior. Furthermore it is a matching numbers car with original chassis number matching the original engine as confirmed by the Maserati S.p.A. certificate. We have the original Maserati S.pA. certificates from Modena Italy including a copy of the original Final Tests Data Sheet for this exact vehicle or chassis AM122/US*2580*.
This wonderful car was previously owned for nearly 40 years. The previous owner took exceptional care of this Merak SS throughout his ownership. He purchased the car on 6/14/1985 from Continental Motors of Hinsdale, IL with 7,939 miles. The car currently has 35,665 original miles since new. The previous owner was fastidious about keeping his service records and we have records going back to 1985. In addition, he commissioned a well known restoration and service shop to repaint the car in its original color in 2010 with about 30,200 miles on the car. The new gorgeous paint work was further accentuated with black (removable) vinyl decals. The interior is in excellent and astonishingly, it is in mostly original condition.
Since we purchased the car we had the original Weber carburetors rebuilt and installed a new more efficient alternator with new belts. The original alternator goes with the car. We also changed all fluids and converted the Air Conditioning to R134A, so the AC does blow very cold. In addition, we have checked the lights and tightened wheel bearings.
This Maserati Merak SS runs and drive beautifully. It handles tight and has plenty of power. The brakes stop straight with no fade. The oil pressure is excellent and we also checked the oil pressure manually and it was perfect. Furthermore, the car temperature well and does not over heat. The clutch engages nicely and the gearbox shifts smoothly. A modern radio was installed by the previous owner and works well with the electric antenna which also is functioning as it should and is original to the car. Overall this is an investment quality Maserati Merak SS with excellent history, very low miles and originality certified by Maserati S.p.A. This Maserati is in exceptional mostly original condition and a wonderful driver car ready to be enjoyed.
