Chassis No.: AM122A

€25 000 | Sold

No reserve Little sister of the Bora Affordable GT Interesting restoration project French registration title Sold without MOT Chassis n° AM122A – 1508 Engine n° 14.53.30 - 520.170 Presented at the Paris Motor Show in 1972, the Maserati Merak will be produced until 1983. This model is the response of the brand to the oil crisis that affects the sales of large cars and the need to expand its customer base by offering a more affordable product. The Merak is based on the same platform as the Bora. Its design is also signed by ItalDesign, directed by Giugiaro: differences between the two models appear minimal.

While the Bora uses a large canopy to house its V8, the Merak uses only two arches to simulate this slope, while its roofline ends abruptly behind the cockpit, its roof is no longer in stainless steel like the Bora. Its rear part is uncovered and the side strips have disappeared. The front end has a grille whose two chrome frames have been replaced by simple strips that act as bumpers. The Merak was produced in three versions, each under the control of the three successive shareholders of the brand: Citroën, GEPI and De Tomaso. The first two versions were born under the French manufacturer and used the mechanical base of the Citroën SM.

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However, the Merak had to be more powerful because of the prestige involved with the brand name. Therefore, it will be powered by the French 2.7 l V6, bored to 2 965 cc, developing 190 hp and allowing to reach 240 km/h in maximum speed. The rest of the mechanics is based on the hydraulic system dear to the French brand. The first version of the Merak only remained in the catalog for two years and only 630 were produced before the SS version followed. Exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1975, the Merak SS was distinguished by its increased engine power of 220 hp.

It was marketed at a time when Maserati had just come under the supervision of GEPI, a state-owned company designed to help companies in difficulty in their search for new investors. Then placed under the control of the De Tomaso brand, the Merak will be rid of the high-pressure hydraulic Citroen system to return to a more traditional system. Then, its power will be reduced to 208 hp to meet (already) new pollution standards. The Maserati Merak that illustrates these pages, one of the 626 SS built, was disassembled for a restoration, which did not come to fruition. It is probably complete, but disassembled, and will please a courageous amateur.

https://www.aguttes.com/lot/116225/0784be6b-7ca7-4b44-a529-9964b8402208