Maserati Ghibli Spyder

Vehicle Overview

The Maserati Ghibli Spyder: the clean lines that characterized the Coupé version were a real pleasure for the eyes and attributed to Giugiaro the reputation of the undisputed master of automotive design. The Maserati Ghibli Spyder was strictly two-seater convertible: the canvas top folded perfectly concealed under the rear panel, behind the seats, and could be raised or lowered in a few minutes. The classic proportions of the coupe in the configuration with front engine, elongated bonnet and strongly angled windscreen, could be perfectly adapted to an open spider version. An amazing hardtop with large windows made the car practical and suitable for traveling in all seasons. However, the Maserati Ghibli Spyders sold with this particular set-up were not more than 20-25, so much so that this type of accessory is today one of the most sought after by collectors. Together with the Maserati Simun concept car, the Ghibli Spyder was one of the last projects that Giorgetto Giugiario carried out for Carrozzeria Ghia in 1967, before founding his own design company: Italdesign. Like the coupe model, the Ghibli Spyder was available in both a standard 4.7-liter version and an enhanced 4.9-liter version for the Spider SS. With 335 hp and a top speed of 270 km / h reflecting its striking look, the SS was one of the most desired production cars of the moment, and also one of the most expensive. Of the 125 Ghibli Spiders sold over the five-year model availability, only a fifth was built in the SS version. This has made this car a universally recognized and sought after classic. On request, it was possible to equip the car with automatic transmission, and a significant number of Maserati Ghibli were sold with this set-up, as the United States represented the main market for the model. At the end of the 1970s, at the Salone dell’Automobile di Torino, small changes were made to the Maserati Ghibli range, mainly concerning the front light units, the dashboard and the headrests.

Photo courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.