Driving A 1970 Ghibli Spyder - What Makes Maseratis of This Era So Special?

The Ghibli Coupe is definitely one of the most beautiful cars ever, IMO. Quite simple lines, but very elegant and just perfect proportions.

There is something very optimistic and aspirational about the design of many cars from this era, something that's missing in modern cars.

That is the definition of automotive art.

Exceptional and stunning car,even if it is a conversion of a fantastic Ghibli coupè. If this is a 4.7 liter it can't be an SS,because the SS was only the 5000 (with 4.9 engine). The 4.9 engine developed only 5 bhp more than the 4.7 (330 bhp for the 4.7 and 335 for the 4.9) but the 4.9 had more torque and was ideal for the automatic gearbox,that was a typical request in the U.S. market. The steering wheel is the original one but is covered of veneer instead of natural wood. Anyway this is a magnificent car,in my opinion one of the most refined and elegant granturismos ever. My father had several Maseratis and when I was a child we used to go in Greece for summer holidays. We always left home with two cars,my mother with the Lancia Flavia full of luggage and my father with the Maserati,and we stopped in Modena where he used to leave the car for the annual service... Than the trip proceeded to Ancona with the Lancia to embark in the ferry boat to Greece and the Maserati was withdrawed weeks later,when we came back.For me and my brother that was the top of our holiday,we were taken for a tour of the factory and we always met the chief tester,Mr.Guerino Bertocchi,that was the chief mechanic of Fangio in the F1 Maserati team and also had been a F1 driver for Maserati. He tested all the new cars and he always took me and my brother for a ride in a brand new Ghibli. We were both sitting on the passenger seat and he was driving for about 20 minutes or half an hour at incredible speed in the streets around Modena. Happy times,today nobody can take children for a ride at more than 200 km/h,but my father thought he was a fantastic driver,and there was no traffic so this remained as an unforgettable experience for us. I remember those Ghiblis,there were always three or four ready at the end of the production line,they had the colors of that era,not only metallic silver or metallic blue,but also Modena yellow or orange....The seats were covered by cellophane and they had the smell of a new car.Maybe this is the reason why I consider this as the most beautiful,streamlined and elegant car of all time.Unfortunately my father never had one,because he needed a four seater as the Mexico and the Indy,and I lost the opportunity to buy a coupè some years ago....Great video,Giacomo,as always.

A great road test comparison to get your hands on was in Car&Driver (I think) from about 1967. It was called, "The $64,000 Road Test" and compared the Ferrari 275 GTB/4, Aston Martin DBS, Maserati Ghibli and Lamborghini 400GT. Some of the testers were world renowned drivers of the time. Excellent read. I still have the original in a box somewhere in our basement! All four of these cars are among the most beautiful automobiles ever produced. But each one needs to be experienced in person for their beauty to be fully appreciated. They come from a time when rolling art, or automotive porn (whichever term you prefer) was at its zenith. A few other cars from this era also must be included in the conversation: Lamborghini Miura, Iso Grifo, Monteverdi 375, AC 428. Aston Martin DBSV8, Ferrari Daytona (365 GTB/4)... Twenty years ago, I was fortunate to have been able to obtain a 1970's Aston Martin V8 manual. It's still a truly awesome and rewarding car to drive, but it would love to have a Ghibli like this as a 'garage mate'!

Love it, my dad had a Maserati Indy America here in Australia many years ago, what a car that was👌

Hi Jack, Just a small correction, the Ghibli was designed by Giugiaro, when he was head of Ghia. The later Khamsin was designed by Gandini (and it got rear independant suspention as well).

Had the pleasure of painting one of these many years ago. Absolutely beautiful car.

Prettier than the Daytona Spyder in my opinion. Prettier than most, in fact. And sounds wonderful.

Wow. You got your hands on an original Ghibli Spider. That car is a moving work of art. It's one of the most drop dead gorgeous cars ever made. Every car designer should be made to spend a month studying this, and then told "If you can't produce something at least as beautiful, don't bother". This is Marilyn Monroe in metal. Sadly, you'll never see the like of it ever again now that the SUV disease has infected the motor industry.

My absolute favorite Maserati of all ❤

Back in the 80s someone in my area (Central Ohio of all places) owned one of these. It was metallic silver and I will never forget the first time I saw it: it was pulling out of a driveway of a mobile home, a trailer. Yes, an expensive exotic Maserati Ghibli Spyder driving away from a poor man's domicile. The incongruity of this sight astonished me. A few years later, in the opposite end of the same county I saw it once again fleetingly and I've not seen it since.

Thanks Jack, 8 instruments, leather, manual, 4.7 V8, engine noise, convertible, with great shape & just right for trips away - peak Maserati! 🙏🙏

Absolutely stunning, what an amazing car. Stunning coachwork and an absolutely beautiful interior. Spyder would definitely be the one to have for GT cruising on a Summer's day without having to worry about Italian AC in the Coupe, plus of course that delicious engine sound.

What a beautiful creation. Huge thanks to the owner Mark for letting us ogle at it.

I’ve been a poster on Ferrarichat for 20 years, have owned several carbureted Ferrari’s from that era, but recently I bought a 1980 Maserati Merak SS, and I’ve driven an early Ghibli. These cars are FAR better to take on long drives, better seating, and for the late Merak, handles better than a 308. That said, they are totally different cars and IMO, you need one of each to properly scratch the itch depending on what your itch is that day. They are both just that good

Such a beautiful car and so well designed. The engine sounds so sweet, just right.Yes Maserati had problems but their cars of this era are so well thought through with just the odd blip (hand brake!). Thank you Jack for bringing us another gem. 👍👍

Excellent, thanks Jack. That is one beautifully styled vehicle, it sounds fantastic not over the top loud but really "hairy chested" and "ballsy". The styling so typical of it's time and my 20's, just love it. Thank you for the ride.

One of the most beautiful car made in the 70s

My all time number one on the wish list car!! A true beauty!!