If you’re like me, you have a hard time resisting the urge to save special cars even when they’re found at their absolute worst. Heck, my own collection includes two very challenging projects in the form of a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 and a 1989 Isuzu Trooper RS, both limited production vehicles that were found in severely neglected states. It may not make sense, but with every year that passes by, these vehicles get harder to find and certainly aren’t losing any value. The seller of this 1976 Maserati Merak may have been following the same line of thought when he snapped up this rough sportscar in 1989, as he clearly was thinking about using it for parts at the time – now, all these years later, it may be worth bringing back to life. Find it here on eBay with bids to $5,793 and the reserve unmet.
The Merak has always been on the lower end of the collectability scale, which means it has stayed within reach of collectors of more modest means. That said, even a non-running (but complete) project can set you back $25,000-$40,000 depending on spec, so it’s not as if these were ever throwaway purchases. But compared to a Lamborghini or Porsche 911 of the same era, yes, they were relative bargains. Certainly, in 1989, they were cheap enough to buy in project car form that you could justify just sticking it in the corner for a rainy day, as this seller apparently did. The Merak’s interior is complete but certainly will need restoration if you wish to bring this one back to showroom form. As the seller states, it shows “….30 years of neglect.”
The engine is complete, and this is perhaps one of the more attractive features of this rough Merak. The seller notes it even still spins over, but they have made no attempt to get it running. Mileage is believed to be right around 40,000, so there’s potentially lots of life left in this drivetrain once it’s been fully sorted with new belts and fluids. The Merak was powered by a 3.0L V6, and went head-to-heat with the likes of the Ferrari Dino and Lamborghini Uracco when new. It was closely related to the Maserati Bora, with the big difference being the Merak used the smaller six-cylinder mill instead of the Bora’s 4.7L V8. I suppose if the Merak had also been a V8, it might be a more desirable specimen these days, but that’s just a guess.
Sadly, this Merak has rust issues both on the body and underneath. The seller admits to not knowing the full extent of the rust situation, as the photos show it poking through in numerous spots underneath the car and in the fender wells. The body rust looks manageable, but the photos showing it blistering through underneath are concerning solely because it’s hard to say just how deep and how far it goes. Given this Merak is in Canada, it’s safe to say it was exposed to the worst of winter from time to time. However, as the seller points out, what he originally thought was a parts car is likely worthy of saving now – especially given the supply of project-grade Meraks has likely only decreased since 1989. Would you save this Merak or continue with the seller’s original plans to part it out?
These are cool cars that at one time were within reason for the average enthusiast to own. Still has its typical reliability issues as with any Italian sports car of the time. Notice the Citroen roots? Yea, that’s a Citroen SM instrument cluster and steering wheel. Underneath you will find the same engine and transaxle. The Merak also received the hydro pneumatic brakes from Citroen and the headlight pods were hydraulic as well. I imagine these suffer from timing chain and exhaust valve issues as well. There is no inexpensive engine rebuild with these. Looking at the underbody pictures is frightening. I think once you peel back all the layers of undercoat and rust all you will be left with is tears!
Here is another trivia question for the readers. I read the SM dash was only used to 1975 yet this is listed as a 76?
I literally can’t believe that you haven’t snagged this one yet, Jeff.
Meraks are nice looking cars, and I’m sure they’re nice enough to drive. The ugly truth is that if you can afford to keep a Merak on the road, you can afford to keep a Bora on the road. Those have the performance to go with the looks.
It’s cool and certainly a rarity but with that amount of rust I think you’d be under water on a purchase pretty quick…”originally thought to be a parts car” is ebay-speak for “maybe we can trick someone into believing there’s an upside on it”
Put a LS in it. Would go like stink
If the rust would hold together. I personally would rather tat fiberfab Aztec much more economical way to “look” exotic
Clever idea, aside from the fact that the stock engine was specifically designed to be shorter than a typical V6. I know GM’s LSx series of engines has magic properties that make them lighter, more powerful, easier to swap, and more attractive than mere numbers might suggest, but last time I checked they’re just as long as any other V8 out there.
When I was living on Ramstein airbase in 1984 or so I remember a service member pulling up in his just purchased silver Merak.
We could ship 1 car back and I always wondered if that’s what he did.
Registering such a gray market car was on the shipper, but would have been worth it.
I own a refurbished 1973 Merak. The 1976 branding here is almost 100% incorrect …. Merak changed the dashboard in 1975. The rust issues go much further than what is seen. For example, the gas tanks are most likely no longer useable…they rust out on the bottoms in normal course. The engine has or should have the very desirable Weber carbs (three dual throat) that will have to be completely rebuilt. The rust in pictures on e-bay is extensive and looks to be well into the frame structure/floorboards. The car is depicted to be a ‘SS” version but no rear pics or confirmation. The car has the less desirable bumpers and the rear engine cover with the spare tire hump.
It is currently at $7500 USA and a note that reads “may not ship to the USA”.
A parts car…yes, restorable…yes, but investment after very extensive restoration….definitely. Very few ever built, highly collectible, and beautiful when complete!
I own a refurbished 1973 Merak. The 1976 branding here is almost 100% incorrect …. Merak changed the dashboard in 1975. The rust issues go much further than what is seen. For example, the gas tanks are most likely no longer useable…they rust out on the bottoms in normal course. The engine has or should have the very desirable Weber carbs (three dual throat) that will have to be completely rebuilt. The rust in pictures on e-bay is extensive and looks to be well into the frame structure/floorboards. The car is depicted to be a ‘SS” version but no rear pics or confirmation. The car has the less desirable bumpers and the rear engine cover with the spare tire hump.
It is currently at $7500 USA and a note that reads “may not ship to the USA”.
A parts car…yes, restorable…yes, but investment after very extensive restoration….definitely. Very few ever built, highly collectible, and beautiful when complete!
The driving experience is wonderful and the vision out the rear is far better than most but the lack of power really hurts the value. My Esprit Turbo is faster and handles and brakes better because it is much lighter. I have not owned a Merak but I got to drive one once. I liked it but it will take some getting used to. About the body if you do not have a spot welder and a MIG system go on to something else. The bodies especially underneath are very simple stampings for the most part and can be hand formed without too much trouble. The question is the final value.
In terms of beauty these are still breathtaking to see in reality. They are also a fun drive if not a totally fast one. Worth taking a chance on, maybe if you are willing to do the work. That there is mold on the steering wheel is a big caution to me. Do not finalize a purchase without a visit first.
Correct-o, Bruce. I drove one in the ’80’s off a used car lot, and it is everything you said, including the underwhelming performance. Personally, I also didn’t like the engine sounds, either. It sounded much like an air-cooled Porsche. I could have afforded it, but it just left me wanting more for the money. Beautiful car.
Beautiful car. Ownership is probably comparable to dating a “dancer”. It shows sold at $16,101.
That is $12,604 US Dollars.
Restored should sell in the $90-100,000 range. One in good shape just sold for $80,000 , unrestored, Cauley Ferrari. Good luck to the buyer! I see these going into the $120-140,000 range by mid-end 2022
Owned one of these and it was a miserable experience. Not the car’s fault. Learning experience for me. Went from a Europa. My thinking was moving up to a Maserati. The car had been sitting for about three years due to an electrical gremlin. The cause of the gremlin was sourced to an aftermarket car alarm and stereo.
Was a lovely car, heavy, handled okay, sounded okay.
Sitting did the car no favors. Every rubber part seemed to need replacing. Parts were frozen together or would bind at times. Ended up catching on fire.
The Meraks are not only beautiful but with an appropriate Abarth or aftermarket performance exhaust sound like a Formula One going down the straight. The comment posted of lacking sound comes from lack of knowledge. The car that is for sale would be a good candidate for a Resto mod . The mid -engine design back in 1973 by Maserati was 25 ++ years ahead of the new Corvette C-8. The Merak also had inboard disks in the rear as well as front disks…another area of advanced technology. The lack of motivated marketing and the gas shortage shortened the life of this auto…quite unfortunate!
Ended:
Feb 07, 2022
Winning bid:
C $16,101.00
Approximately US $12,604.02(including shipping)
[ 82 bids ]
Located in:
Pontypool, ON, Canada