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A true thoroughbred GT, it was powered by a 4.7 litre engine developing 315 hp. The dry-sump twincam V8 engine with four twin-choke carburettors differed from that used in the Mexico and Quattroporte of the same period, which followed a wet sump design. The model was originally devised as a two-seater, despite being 4.69 metres long and having a wheelbase of 2.55 metres. The Ghibli did become a 2+2 for production.

The chassis featured simple yet effective cart-sprung rear suspension, also found on the Quattroporte II which was introduced at the same time. The project was principally overseen by Engineer Alfieri and it was unveiled at the Turin Motor Show in late 1966 on the Ghia stand, with deliveries starting in March of the following year. The steel bodies (with an alloy bonnet) were manufactured by Vignale.

Named after an Egyptian desert storm wind, the Ghibli had another fantastic asset in its striking visual appearance, and it could easily have sold itself based on looks alone. Its dramatic styling was the work of a young Giorgetto Giugiaro, at that time working for the Ghia studio in Turin. Giugiaro himself describes it this way: “A very striking, long, flat bonnet, full-width radiator grille, pop-up headlights, a sharply angled windscreen, wide squat sidelights that ended in a vertical segment, and very clean flanks even though the coach-line did have lots of movement to it. The rear end was high for aerodynamic efficiency as well as functional reasons (the two fuel tanks lie behind the rear axle and have a very raised neck).”

Henry Ford II was so impressed by the Ghibli that he reportedly approached the Orsi family with an offer to buy the company from them. Other notable owners included Sammy Davis junior, Peter Sellers and Jean-Paul Belmondo.

Fron 1969 to 1973 Maserati offered an updated Model known as the SS. The engine included a new dry sump design had been devised in order to best accommodate the low bonnet line of Giugiaro’s sleek coupé, and was later used for the very same reason on the Khamsin. Horsepower was up to 335 which guaranteed a top speed of 280 kph (175 mph). This turned the Ghibli SS into the fastest Maserati road car in production. Prodigious braking performance came from the to twin-servo assisted ventilated discs with three pistons per calliper.

The equipment level was worthy of such a thoroughbred GT with adjustable steering column, anti-theft steering lock, leather upholstery, tinted & electric windows, reclining seats with head rests, heated rear windscreen, dashboard clock and even air conditioning were all came as standard

Specification listed for the SS model.

Story by Maserati S.p.A.

Chassis & Sales

1967 Maserati 4.7 Ghibli Coupe 115732 - sold for $107,250 One of only 1,149 examples produced, the 1967 Maserati Ghibli offered here is a beautiful example that appears to be in excellent overall condition. The current owner reports that it has been exceptionally maintained to the highest levels in climate-controlled storage. Finished in yellow with a black restored leather interior, it has the desirable five-speed manual transmission, dual side-view mirrors, alloy wheels and a wood steering wheel.
Gallery: RM Auctions' 2010 Sports & Classics of Monterey

1968 Maserati Ghibli AM115578 - sold for $82,500 This 1968 Maserati Ghibli is stunning in its bright yellow livery with a black leather interior, the colors in which it was delivered when new by a California-based dealer to legendary entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr., its first owner. It has been comprehensively restored to better than new condition, earning it the award for Best Italian Sports Car at the 2001 Greenwich Concours. Today, the Ghibli remains stunning, with the paint, chrome, glass, ... more
Gallery: RM Auctions' 2010 Sports & Classics of Monterey

1972 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS Coupe - sold for $71,500 This particular Ghibli was built in March 1971 and remains mostly original and in excellent order. It was shipped from the factory to Grossman Motors of Nyack, New Jersey, and has spent its entire life in the U.S., most recently as part of one of America’s leading car collections, where it has benefited from a regular program of care and maintenance. It comes with power steering, power windows and factory-installed air conditioning and feature... more
Gallery: 2009 Meadow Brook Concours

1973 Maserati Ghibli SS Coupe - sold for $101,750 With 56,285 miles, this Ghibli is a largely original and highly desirable, late-production 4.9-liter SS from 1973, powered by the uprated 335 bhp V-8 engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. Finished in Fly Yellow with a tan interior, the Ghibli SS is also equipped with factory-fitted air conditioning. A very nice and well-maintained driver-quality example with recent cosmetic updates including a new paint finish, it remains a strong-runni... more
Gallery: 2011 Automobiles of Arizona by RM Auctions

1970 Maserati Ghibli SS 4.9-Litre - sold for €75,900 elivered new in Rome, Italy, this highly original Ghibli SS has covered a mere 20,421 kilometres from new in the hands of its sole owner. The car benefits from a recent complete cosmetic refurbishment, carried out in the Netherlands by Maranello BV, and has been serviced and fitted with new tyres and a new exhaust. Finished in red with black leather interior, it is offered with Italian registration papers.
Gallery: 2011 Automobiles d'exception au Grand Palais by Bonhams

Sammy Davis Jr,1968 Maserati Ghibli Berlinetta AM115578 - sold for €79,350 This Ghibli was originally purchased new by the legendary entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. as documented by a letter from the Maserati Club with the car. Davis was known for a love of cars, he was a regular client of George Barris and at any one time carried a burgeoning garage. A contemporary Ebony magazine article in the 1970s shows him poised on the running board of his replica Duesenberg surrounded with a host of contemporary automobiles, altho... more
Gallery: The Paris Sale 2012 by Bonhams

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