Maserati launched the Merak to give buyers a less expensive alternative to its V8- powered Bora. While the Bora rang in at over $29k when new, opting for the Merak cost only $20k. Of course, that came at the sacrifice of performance, but it was a good move: the Merak outsold the Bora by more than 300%. Here on eBay is one of the best versions of the Merak, a 1980 SS, with bidding at $21,200 in a no-reserve auction. Since the car does not run, the new owner will need to trailer it home from Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Citroën had purchased Maserati by the time the first Merak was made in 1972. The marriage didn’t last long, however: Maserati was sold off to Alejandro de Tomaso in 1975, long before the last Merak rolled off the line. The French company’s goal wasn’t so much to make a sports car as it was to develop a replacement for its long-running DS/ID series. That replacement – the SM – acquired a sportier guise than the company originally intended – but that’s what happens when you have Maserati in your back pocket. Fortunately, the work expended to design a V6 for the SM was put to good use in the Merak: the first models used a bored-out version of the SM’s 90° angle, double overhead cam engine, mounted mid-ship and good for 190 hp. The SS received the same 3.0-liter powerplant, but it was equipped with three carburetors, and the compression ratio was dialed up to 9:1. Output of 220 hp was claimed by the factory, though North American cars were slightly detuned. Citroën’s five-speed manual transaxle brought power to the rear wheels.
Another North American quirk was the required provision for a full-sized spare, hunkered in the engine compartment. Euro-delivery cars received a space-saver version installed in the same place, with a bit less obnoxious appearance. The first Meraks shared hydropneumatic brake and suspension components with the SM; later cars phased toward more conventional solutions. This example has four-wheel vented discs all around.
The SS’s interior – with its Connolly leather and wool carpets – offered just as much luxury as its more expensive sibling, the Bora. Though this example is excellent in some respects, the upholstery does have a few flaws; fixing these will involve an uncomfortable assault upon your bank account. Giugiaro – responsible for styling the Merak – was able to add abbreviated rear seats to the cabin, thanks in part to that compact V6 engine.
Repairs were performed on this car’s sheet metal, and at least two panels were resprayed. The paint is crazing in areas. Though it isn’t the best example around by a long shot, this car demonstrates the rise in interest around more accessible Maseratis. Fifteen years ago, you could hardly give away a Merak; now this non-runner will sell for over $20k. Nice examples will go for double that. Have you ever driven a Merak? Let us know in the comment section!
Hmm, Col. Springs, eh? Masermarati, eh? Not running, eh, how tough could it be, Tony? Uh huh,,,uh huh, I see, how much? Oh boy, now I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer( thumbs up skyrockets) but something just doesn’t sound right, $20 grand? 2 bids, not exactly jumping over one another, exotic car hobby gone ka-put? That 4 bolt spare looks like it’s off a Falcon and I’m sure this would easily stump the Autoplace person. Since we aren’t clear on the nature of the problem, pray it’s not timing belts, or damage would be in biblical proportions. Not a washout, however, I read, I’m sure these get wrecked all the time, and being mid engine, probably survived, replacement used motors go for about $10-$15grand, $5+ to install, so $45 grand. This would sure make those long stretches bearable. Wonder how it would do against a Dodge Charger? 150mph for this, 142 for the Charger, be close, what are those bulldozers doing in the road?
I’ve always preferred the Bora, mainly because I really dig those Maserati V8s. Drove an early hydropneumatic Merak once, but frankly enjoyed driving a Citroen SM more.
If my mind is still working properly, I seem to recall that the Maserati-Citroen V6 was a real rush job, and design work mainly consisted of lopping two cylinders off the existing Maserati V8. Early versions had timing-chain issues, later corrected. It was not the smoothest of all V6s, dues to its 90-degree (V8-inspired) bank angle.
Hi Michelle Rand, this is a SCAM LISTING! https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1980-maserati-merak-ss-9/
Thanks for catching that!
My favorite Top Gear episode – when the guys all bought mid engined supercars for cheap. And the Merak was a hilarious disaster (as were all the cars…)
4spdbernie is right – this car was recently sold for $40,500. Some comments, though: the spare is correct- Maseratis of this era used a 4×130 bolt circle. The Merak did outsell the Bora and cost was undoubtedly a big reason, but the fact that then-owner Detomaso shut down the Bora after ’77, but continued the Merak through ’83 made a difference, too. All Meraks used three carbs; 42DCNFs on the standard engine, 44s on the SS. The SS also has different heads with larger valves. The story about the prototype engine being derived from a cut down type 107 V8 is apparently true, but it was done only to impress Citroen management with Maserati’s ability to move quickly. The C114 production engine was an entirely different design and, contrary to some other accounts, not at all related to the Biturbo V6 which followed. We had a red Merak with a swapped SS engine for about 6 months, sort of “on approval”, but we passed. I’ve since regretted that, but I had, and stil have, a red Bora and the Merak seemed superfluous. I’ve since read that although they look the same, they drive differently. Oh, well – we had to trim the herd when we sold our building, so it probably would have gone away anyway.
The SM, Merak, and Biturbo V6s did at least share the 90° bank angle of the V8 and, I’d reckon, the bore spacing and maybe some other key dimensions in order to use Maserati’s existing engine block mill tooling, even if the V6s weren’t literally just a V8 with 2 cylinders lopped off.
There used to be a local paintshop whose owner had three of these – as projects – in various stages of decrepitude.
I knew about the Citroen connection with the engine, but not that the Merak had inherited the suspension!
Euro bumpers needed…
potential?
If only Citroen had swapped some SM parts for that V6 or V8 and dropped it into their underpowered DS.
I had an SM. The original Meraks also shared the SM’s dash and steering wheel, if I remember correctly
A budget Maserati; who da ever thunk.
Well versed again in the Italian divas Michelle. I lived in England as a postgradute student for 3 years with ex-wife. We visited the Birmingham car show and entered 3 cars by sitting on the driver’s seat. A Ferrari, a Lamborgini and this Maserati Merak. We both agreed that the Merak won in the comfort and the inner quality material department, then Ferrari, with the Lambo last. Way beyond my means at the time, never got to actually ride it. I could only afford in the early 1981 the Fiat Bertone X1/9 1,5 lit that i still have today.
I also have two X19s, an ’81 and ’83 because I could never afford one as a teenager nor would I ever be able to afford any of the other Italian brands super cars but I love my ‘Baby Ferraris’ and driving them are so much fun! There’s no one else around here with one and few people know what they are and always get a double take and second looks!
I also have two X19s, an ’81 and ’83 because I could never afford one as a teenager nor would I ever be able to afford any of the other Italian brands super cars but I love my ‘Baby Ferraris’ and driving them are so much fun! There’s no one else around here with one and few people know what they are and always get a double take and second looks!
Second and 3rd looks almost before 10 years cost me a fistfight!🤣 While refueling in Athens a guy from a village insisted that this was a Ferrari rebadged as a Fiat-Bertone (He said:I know u the Athenians, all cheaters). I insisted he did the same, not funny at all. Then i got into a shop and i bought a small Ferrari sticker and put in the back bonnet, just in case. Truth is that the Groupo avoided the 2,000cc mil for upgrade, exactly because they thought it’s going to steal customers from Ferrari. Instead they built the Ferrari 2,000cc turbo that failed miserably due to lack of performance and high service cost.
Thank you Harry, and yes, I love the X 1/9 in all its iterations. We don’t feature enough of them. I’ll try to find a couple to cover.
If in Athens i could give u mine to you for a test. My ex-wife totally avoided driving it. It has a few upgrades, the rarest is a 5th gear that allows higher speed or lower fuel consumption. (It wasn’t meant for the lower consumption obviously😂!)
Exotic, Beautiful, somewhat Rare, but SUPERCAR it is NOT.
Yes, my title got changed by the boss. I have changed it back to something more appropriate. Thanks for noticing and I agree it is in no way a supercar.
Great writeup as always. One minor point, though, the SM was not a replacement for the ID/DS, but a halo model; the ID/DS was replaced by the CX.
Always wanted a Merak. When I was in college a guy in Buffalo had one, always saw it parked at a minimart in Williansville outside of Buffalo.