Described by Autocar as "outstandingly good-looking", this Giugiaro-designed car is closely related to the perhaps better known Bora.

While the two were both 14ft 2in long and 5ft 10in wide, the Merak traded a little less power for two extra seats. Like the Bora, the Merak was mid-engined, but with a 3.0-litre V6 which sent power to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. 

The engine was essentially a bored-out version of the 2.7-litre V6 fitted to the Citroën SM and produced 190bhp and 188lb ft of torque. The Maserati Merak SS was introduced in 1972  and was the higher-performance version of the original Merak. It was designed to compete with the likes of the Porsche 911, Ferrari Dino 308 GT4, and the Lamborghini Urraco – all 2+2 sports cars with a rear or rear-mid engine configuration. 

Production ran for ten years but the model was produced in very low numbers with just 1933 ever made of which 993 were the Merak SS variant, according to the Maserati Owners Club. 

This car was purchased from HTCC Ltd in Warwickshire last year by the current owner to add to their collection. They have driven this car and have enjoyed it immensely, however, another project is on the horizon and the car needs to be enjoyed by someone else. 

The car comes with the V5, original logbook and a variety receipts which show that the car has had a lot of money spent on it to get it to the superb standard that it is now. The private number plate will be retained on the car. 

Just in case you're in any doubt, when you open the door to find the lovely ivory leather seats, black dashboard and carpets, there are  two rather large Maserati badges staring you in the face. One is on the steering wheel and the other next to the gear stick. 

As you sit in the driver's seat everything is centred around the driver with the dials on the dashboard are all angled towards you while the radio is, unusually, mounted on the right hand side of the steering wheel, giving you complete control over what you get to listen to!

Cream is a lovely colour for interior seats but can can be a challenge to keep clean and, true to form, the seats are showing some patina but we'd expect them to come up well if given the right attention. As with many 2+2's, the rear seats are tight for an adult, but having them there is definitely a bonus. Everything works inside as it should, and it is a lovely place to be sat with the V6 engine making itself known just behind you.

There's much to love about Giugiaro 's design, which takes the Bora's front end and takes a fresh approach at the rear. We're particular fans of pop-up headlights, naturally, and also have great appreciation for the bonnet vents and, as for the flying buttress going from the roof to the rear of the car, they are simply glorious!

The paint work is in great condition and is complimented by Campagnolo alloy wheels. The Merak has so many beautiful details that you could spend hours looking at it, and find something new each time. It's a definite look-back-over-the-shoulder-as-you-walk-away car.

This Maserati has had a substantial amount of money spent on it. Back in 2002 the car was taken to McGrath Maserati and substantial work was carried out to include new clutch, clutch release bearing, clutch cover and slave cylinder, replacement crankshaft spigot bearing, crankshaft rear main oil seal, lower wishbone bushes, re-faced flywheel, renewed gearbox input shaft, rear brake pads, reconditioned rear brake callipers, re-conditioned LHIM hydraulic pump and re-conditioned headlamp switch. 

Various other work was carried out during this time totalling in excess of £12,000 including the above work. The Merak was treated to a full stainless steel exhaust system, some re-wiring work, refurbished wheels, new head gasket set, rocker co/or gaskets and reassembled camshaft chains. Since then the Maserati has been dry stored and as a result has been subject of some re-commissioning work over the summer of 2018. In recent years, the car has been dry stored and, as a result, is in an excellent state of preservation. 

Further recommissioning work was undertaken in 2020 at Maserati specialists East Coast Sports Cars outside Edinburgh. Over this period a sum well into the tens of thousands of pounds has been spent including: a new HM tank, re-conditioned steering rack, steering rack ends and boots, front shock absorbers, front discs and pads, new brake disc bells, fuel tank sender unit, gear changes bushes speedo cable, starter motor, a full service (twice), repair to a variety of non-functioning dash gauges and lights, full set of new tyres and, most recently, attention to the distributor, carburettors, choke control and a new set of spark plugs, all of which Improved starting and general running. 

The car received a fresh MoT at the same time in 2020 and is now ready to be enjoyed by its new owner.

This Maserati has been loved and cherished for years and has had a great deal spent on it to get it to the condition that it's in today. The styling is delightful and the sound of that gorgeous V6 through those stainless-steel exhausts is music to anyone’s ears.

Now that all that hard work has been taken care of, it's ready for new adventures. With room for the kids in the back, or enough luggage for a road trip, has an added level of practicality and, in SS specification, it has a little more urge than the standard Merak to keep the driver entertained. What a great way to join the exclusive club of Maserati owners.