Last updated on October 27, 2024
Today’s car is a 1970 Maserati Ghibli Spyder Conversion owned by Matt. I photographed this car at the weekly Marina del Rey, CA Cars and Coffee. The car is finished in Verde Gemma Metallico (green gem metallic) with a light tan interior and a black top. It is powered by a 310 hp 4.7 liter, DOHC V8 engine, with 4-2bbl Weber 42 DCNF-9 carburetors mated to a 5-speed ZF manual transmission with a 3.31:1 rear axle, in 5th gear it has a 2.98 final drive gear ratio. Slowing this beauty are ventilated disc brakes in all 4-corners. The front independent suspension consist of double wishbones, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, and an anti-roll bar. The rear suspension is live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs, and telescopic shock absorbers. It sports Borrani wire wheels.
It was built in July 1969 and delivered new to Beverly Hills, California, it was converted to a spider in prior ownership, it is estimated in the 1980s. The Maserati was imported to Australia by a previous owner in 2006, where a meticulous 10-year restoration was undertaken, and largely performed by the renowned Re-Creation Automotive Pty Ltd., located in Lilydale, Victoria. The finished product is amazing. At one of the largest car shows in the southern hemisphere, the Motorclassica in 2018 located in Melbourne, Australia, it won awards for both Best in Class and Restoration of the Year.
The Maserati Ghibli Coupes were built from 1967 to 1973 and Spyders from 1969-1973. The total Ghibli production was 1,149 coupés and just 128 were Spyder’s. The 1970 model year had two engine options: the 4.7-liter engine and the 4.9-liter “SS” version. The 4.7 litre: total was 82 cars built (56 manual, 26 automatic) and the 4.9 litre ‘SS’: total was 46 cars built (39 manual, 7 automatic). Maserati built just 128 spyders. But, several companies created conversions from existing coupes into spyders, including Campana in Italy and J/P Limited in Delaware. The MSRP was $18,900.00 Coupe and $19,400.00 Spyder. It outsold its two biggest rivals, the Ferrari Daytona and the Lamborghini Maura. The 4.7-liter published top speed was 171 MPH with a 0-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds.
What a fantastic car to take to car Italian car shows, Cars and Coffee events, or just going through the S’s in the Santa Monica Mountains with like minded friends. Thank you for riding along. Frank
