Buying a car that comes with its bits mostly spread out on the ground is frightening enough, but when it’s an Italian exotic, you’re on a whole ‘nother level. For the brave, find this Maserati Ghibli here on eBay listed at $69,000. Before prospective buyers get too frisky, it’s worth knowing that for some reason, the seller has been unable to obtain the title to this car – consequently, the production year is a mystery. Early Ghiblis had Smiths gauges; the seller’s photos are too blurry to tell for sure, but these look like Veglia gauges, which places it at 1968 or later, but not too late because this example still has toggle switches. It’s a 4.7-liter car, according to the “AM115” VIN; 4.9-liter cars are designated “AM115/49”. Retrieval from Fallbrook, California will require a trailer and a few Rubbermaid tubs.
The dry sump, quad-cam V8 produced about 300 hp; early engines are distinguished by twin spark plug holes, though only one will be in use. This is an early engine; the unused holes are barely visible through the grime here. Most cars were ordered with the standard ZF five-speed manual, though an automatic was available. Four-wheel disc brakes were entirely capable of bringing the car down from a 150 mph top speed. Our seller claims 35k original miles, but in a situation where the title is lost, I think the car has to be purchased as if the mileage is unknown. We’re also told the car “ran when parked for restoration”, but it’s safer to assume that lovely V8 needs a $30,000 rebuild. Once in running order, the Ghibli is best on the open road at speed; most didn’t have power steering, and the clutch is exceptionally heavy.
Originally, Maserati’s new GT was meant to be a two-seater, but Giorgetto Giugiaro gave the shell enough interior space to produce the car as a 2+2. This one will require rejuvenation of every $$crevice$$. The back glass is with the car, and a prior owner outfitted the car with wires instead of the standard Campagnolo alloys.
While I can appreciate a Ghibli as much as the next enthusiast, and while this example’s Verde Gemma green is a striking original color, the reassembly, reconditioning, and repapering work that lies ahead of a new owner here is enough to justify a discount off the current price. This ’68 was sold by RM Sotheby’s in Scottsdale a couple of weeks ago for $145,600 – it’s numbers-matching, with original documentation and manuals, ready to go touring. Far better to wait for that kind of car to come up than spring for this one.
How sad!! Parts car.