Description
This car is Lot 163 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris Sale on 6 February, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Tuesday 4 February from 08:00 until 18:00 and Wednesday 5 February from 9 AM - 6 PM, at The Grand Palais Historique, Paris.
Lot 163
Delivered new in France to the Baron Empain
1969 Maserati Ghibli 4. 7
Registration no.
Chassis no. AM. 115. 784
Sold new by Ets. Thépenier
Only three private owners
Still has its original upholstery
Copy of the purchase invoice on file
A strong contender for the 'most handsome car of the 1960s' title, Maserati's Ghibli debuted in coupé form at the Turin Motor Show in November 1966. Styled at Carrozzeria Ghia by Giorgetto Giugiaro and named after a Sahara Desert wind, the Ghibli rivalled the Ferrari Daytona for straight-line performance - its top speed was close to 275km/ h (170mph) - while beating it for price and, arguably, looks. More than 4. 5m long and 1. 8m wide, the Ghibli occupied an inordinate amount of space for a mere two-seater but perhaps the most startling aspect of its appearance was the height, or rather the lack of it. Dry-sump lubrication enabled the engine to be mounted deep in the chassis, permitting a low bonnet line, while limited suspension travel ensured that the tyres did not foul the wheelarches. The roofline fell away from the top of the steeply raked windscreen to the chopped-off tail, Giugiaro thus achieving a cabin lower than that of almost all the Ghibli's contemporaries.
Like the contemporary Mexico 2+2, the Ghibli used a shortened version of the Quattroporte saloon's tubular steel chassis in its live rear axle form. In preference to the more complex suspension designs favoured by its rivals, the Ghibli used leaf springs and a single locating arm, a much more easily maintained arrangement. The power unit was Maserati's powerful four-cam 90-degree V8, an engine derived from that of the 450S sports racer. This was used in 4. 7-litre form up to 1970 when it was superseded by the 4. 9-litre 'SS' version. The gain in horsepower was minimal but in either case performance was stunning, with 160km/ h (100mph) attainable in under 16 seconds. This neck-snapping acceleration resulted from the V8's enormous torque, which made the Ghibli one of the most flexible and easy-to-drive GTs of its era. A total of 1, 149 coupés and 125 spyders had been made when production ceased in 1973. One of the most stunning motor cars ever made, the Ghibli was a worthy rival for the Ferrari 'Daytona' and represents exceptional value for money today, just as it did 40 years ago.
According to its quite extensive historical file, this Maserati Ghibli 4. 7L, chassis 115. 784, was ordered from Ets. Thépenier by Baron Edouard-Jean Empain on 24 October 1968, specifically in the Blu Medio shade paired with a beige leather interior and matching carpets. The car then went into production on 6 November 1968 and went out for delivery on 9 December of the same year. It was on 16 December 1968 that the Ghibli went through French customs before being delivered to its new owner. We have various letters between Ets. Thépenier and Baron Empain's administrative staff from the period, including copies of the order form and the purchase invoice. It was registered on 16 January 1969 under registration number 3018 VG 75, at 33 Avenue Foch, Paris. In 1971, it was ceded to an owner from Lyon. In 1975, it changed hands and was registered 133 ANB 75. Acquired in 1991 by its last private owner, it was registered 9798 TZ 68. In 2008, numerous outlays were made for a full mechanical overhaul, including servicing of the braking and cooling systems. Acquired in 2015 by its current owner, and at that time painted black, the Ghibli's coachwork was restored and it was repainted in its original colour. The missing carpets were also reproduced in a beige similar to the originals. The car was recently serviced. Today, this Ghibli has 82, 500km on the clock and will be sold with a historical file retracing its early years in particular, its Maserati Classiche certificate, various invoices, its FFVE certificate and its French registration document (carte grise).
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
