Maserati Ghibli SS Spyder

Maserati Ghibli SS Spyder

The 1967 Maserati Ghibli SS Spyder is one of the rarest and most desirable Italian sports cars of the 1960s. With only 125 Spyder variants produced across all Ghibli configurations, the open-top version of Giugiaro's stunning design represents the pinnacle of Maserati's grand touring artistry and commands extraordinary prices in the collector market.

The Spyder version of the Ghibli retained the mechanical specification of the coupe, including the 4,930cc four-cam V8 in SS specification, producing 335 horsepower through four Weber carburetors. The dry-sump lubrication system, five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission, and the same chassis and suspension architecture were all carried over from the fixed-head car.

The conversion to Spyder form was more than simply removing the roof. The body structure required reinforcement to compensate for the loss of the roof's structural contribution, adding some weight. The windshield surround was strengthened, additional bracing was added beneath the floor, and the doors received internal reinforcement. Despite these measures, the Spyder inevitably exhibited slightly more body flex than the coupe, though this was within acceptable limits for the era.

The Spyder's folding soft top was elegantly integrated into the body design. When stowed, it folded beneath a flush-fitting tonneau cover that maintained the car's clean lines. When erected, the top provided adequate weather protection, though wind noise and sealing were modest by modern standards.

Driving the Ghibli Spyder with the top down was a multisensory experience of extraordinary richness. The four-cam V8's exhaust note, unfiltered by a roof, filled the cabin with a complex mechanical symphony. The wind, the scents of the Italian countryside, and the visual drama of the car's long hood stretching ahead created a driving experience that epitomized the grand touring ideal.

The rarity of the Ghibli Spyder was established from the beginning. Maserati produced the Spyder in very small numbers due to the additional complexity and cost of the open body conversion. Each car was essentially handbuilt, with individual attention to fit and finish that varied from car to car.

Today, the Ghibli Spyder is among the most coveted of all Maserati road cars. When examples appear at auction, they command prices significantly higher than the already valuable coupe. The combination of Giugiaro's design, the four-cam V8 engine, open-air motoring, and extreme rarity creates a collector car of the highest order. The SS Spyder represents the absolute summit of Maserati's 1960s grand touring production.