Maserati Ghibli: Giugiaro’s V8 grand tourer of 1967

The Maserati Ghibli was a grand tourer built from 1967 to 1973, internally coded Tipo AM115. It was presented on the Ghia stand at the 1966 Turin Motor Show and went into production in March 1967. Its name followed Maserati custom and referred to a wind, in this case the dry Libyan sirocco.

Maserati Ghibli at a glance

There is no English Wikipedia article on the 1967 Ghibli; this page is written from the Italian one, the only source.

History of the Maserati Ghibli

The Ghibli was created under the supervision of engineer Giulio Alfieri from the project coded Tipo AM115 and was shown on the Ghia stand at the 1966 Turin Motor Show. Like other Maseratis of the period it was named after a wind, the Ghibli, the dry Libyan sirocco. The first cars were built in March 1967.

First series

The original Ghibli had a 4.7-litre V8 producing 310 CV, fed by four carburettors, and reached 100 km/h from rest in about 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 270 km/h. The gearbox could be a five-speed manual or a three-speed automatic. One peculiarity was the 100-litre fuel tank, divided into two halves: the driver could choose which half fed the engine. Equipment included pop-up headlamps, sports seats in leather and alloy wheels.

Spider, restyling and SS

The Ghibli Spider was presented in 1969. The open version is rare: only 125 were built against 1,149 coupés, and over time the Spiders have “multiplied” because several coupés were converted by cutting off the roof. At the 1970 Turin Motor Show a restyled Ghibli debuted with slightly modified headlamps, dashboard and headrests. That same year production began of the Ghibli SS (Tipo AM115/49), powered by a new 4.9-litre dry-sump V8 of 335 CV that allowed a top speed of 280 km/h. Beyond performance the SS offered luxury equipment as standard: an adjustable steering column, a steering lock, leather upholstery, tinted windows with electric lifts, reclining seats with headrests, a heated rear window, a dashboard clock and air conditioning. Just 25 of the rare Ghibli Spider SS were built, and they are much sought after by collectors. In 1973 the Ghibli went out of production, replaced by the Khamsin; the name was revived in 1992 for the last version of the Biturbo and in 2013 for the saloon of the same name.

Design

Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro for Ghia, the Ghibli was characterised by its low, sharp nose and, in the designer’s own words, an extraordinary bonnet that was particularly long and flat. It was well received and sold more than its direct rivals, the Ferrari 365 Daytona and the Lamborghini Miura.

Design and features

• Giugiaro styling: a low, sharp nose and a very long, flat bonnet built by Ghia.
• V8 power: 310 CV from 4.7 litres, or 335 CV from the 4.9-litre dry-sump SS engine.
• Split fuel tank: a 100-litre tank in two halves, either of which could feed the engine.
• Pop-up headlamps: concealed lights and alloy wheels were part of the specification.
• SS luxury: air conditioning, leather and electric windows as standard on the SS.

Maserati Ghibli versions

• Ghibli 4.7 (1967–1973): the original coupé with 310 CV, 1,149 built.
• Ghibli Spider (1969–1973): the open version, 125 built.
• Ghibli SS (1970–1973): 4.9-litre dry-sump engine with 335 CV and 280 km/h.
• Ghibli Spider SS: the rarest version, 25 built.
• 1970 restyling: revised headlamps, dashboard and headrests.

The Ghibli was replaced in 1973 by the Maserati Khamsin, and its V8 was related to the engine of the Maserati Indy; the name returned on the Biturbo-based car of 1992. More cars are in the Maserati collection.

Sources

• Maserati Ghibli (1967), Italian Wikipedia: history, versions, equipment, design