Maserati Merak SS

In the creative environment that coincided with the beginning of the 1970s, Maserati began work on the design of a car with high performance sporting characteristics capable of dominating the hard-fought 3-liter class of the market. In order to avoid risks the layout of the Merak, the name of a star in the constellation of Ursa Major, had more than one point in common with the company’s successful flagship, the Bora, and something beyond a simple resemblance. From its sister it took the undercarriage up to the doors, the same body and, with slight modifications, also the suspension and steering. The engine was already a classic 90 degree V6 of some 3 liters, initially developing 190 bhp for a maximum seed of 240 kmh. Roadholding and handling were both excellent: the car was quick and nimble, and great fun to drive.

The Geneva Salon of 1975 was the debut of the most desirable Merak, the SS. Improvements included a reduction in overall weight of 153 kg, an...