Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Coupe
The Maserati Ghibli is one of the most beautiful cars ever designed. Created by a young Giorgetto Giugiaro while working at Ghia, the Ghibli's long, low, shark-like profile defined the Italian GT aesthetic. It was named after a hot Saharan wind — and it lived up to the name.
The Ghibli was powered by Maserati's magnificent 4.7-liter quad-cam V8, producing 330 hp through quad Weber carburetors. This was a genuinely fast car — with a top speed of 170 mph, it was faster than the contemporary Ferrari 275 GTB and competitive with the Daytona. A 4.9-liter SS (Super Sport) variant with 335 hp was also offered.
Giugiaro's design was breathtaking. The Ghibli sat just 1,160mm (45.7 inches) tall — lower than a Lamborghini Miura. The front end featured pop-up headlights, a subtle air intake, and a hood that seemed to stretch to the horizon. The rear was clean and elegant with a slight Kamm tail. The overall effect was of a car designed by the wind itself.
Inside, the Ghibli was luxuriously appointed — leather, wood, and the complex array of Veglia instruments typical of Italian GTs. It was a genuine four-seater (albeit with limited rear space) and had a proper trunk for grand touring luggage.
The Ghibli was Maserati's best-selling car of its era, with 1,274 total units produced (1,149 coupes + 125 Spyders). The Spyder (convertible) version is exceptionally rare and commands enormous premiums. The Ghibli sits at the pinnacle of Maserati's classic road car lineup and is increasingly recognized as one of the all-time great GT cars.
The Ghibli is a significant classic car investment. The V8 engine is robust but expensive to service — quad Weber carburetors require expert tuning. Check for corrosion in the chassis and body structure (not just cosmetic panels). The live rear axle limits handling but is durable. Spyders are 3-5x the value of coupes. SS (4.9L) commands a premium over standard 4.7L. Automatic cars are less valuable than manuals. Verify matching numbers (engine/chassis) through the Maserati Classiche program.
Total Ghibli production: 1,274 (1,149 coupes + 125 Spyders). 4.7L standard: ~824 coupes + ~50 Spyders. 4.9L SS: ~325 coupes + ~75 Spyders. Available with ZF 5-speed manual or Borg-Warner 3-speed automatic. The Ghibli was designed by Giugiaro at age 25 — one of his earliest masterworks. Maserati also offered the Ghibli with a Borg-Warner auto for the US market.