•Delivered new to Italy
•ZF five-speed manual gearbox
•Restored within the last 25 years
•Registered in Switzerland

'It differs from many cars of similar performance in that it is equally as suited to going to the opera as blasting down to Palermo on the Autostrada.' – Road & Track.

A strong contender for the 'most handsome car of the 1960s' title, Maserati's Ghibli debuted in coupé form at the Turin Motor Show in November 1966. Styled at Carrozzeria Ghia by Giorgetto Giugiaro and named after a Sahara Desert wind, the Ghibli rivalled the Ferrari Daytona for straight-line performance - its top speed was close to 170mph (275km/h) - while beating it for price and, arguably, looks. More than 4.5m long and 1.8m wide, the Ghibli occupied an inordinate amount of space for a mere two-seater, but perhaps the most startling aspect of its appearance was the height, or rather the lack of it. Dry-sump lubrication enabled the engine to be mounted deep in the chassis, permitting a low bonnet line, while limited suspension travel ensured that the tyres did not foul the wheelarches. The roofline fell away from the top of the steeply raked windscreen to the chopped-off tail, Giugario thus achieving a cabin lower than that of almost all the Ghibli's contemporaries, albeit one with restricted headroom for rear passengers.

Like the contemporary Mexico 2+2, the Ghibli used a shortened version of the Quattroporte saloon's tubular steel chassis in its live rear axle form. Perhaps surprisingly, the Ghibli set-up used leaf springs and a single locating arm in preference to the more complex suspension arrangements favoured by its rivals. The power unit was Maserati's venerable, four-cam, 90-degree V8, an engine derived from that of the 450S sports racer and first seen in road-going guise in the 5000GT. This was used in 4.7-litre form up to 1970 when it was superseded by the 4.9-litre 'SS' version in order to meet ever more stringent emission laws. The gain in horsepower was minimal but in either case performance was stunning, with 100mph (160km/h) attainable in under 16 seconds. This neck-snapping acceleration resulted from the V8's enormous torque, which made the Ghibli one of the most flexible and easy-to-drive GTs of its era. One of the most stunning sports cars ever made, the Ghibli was a worthy rival for the Ferrari 'Daytona' and represents exceptional value for money today, just as it did 50 years ago.

The Ghibli SS offered here was completed on 24th April 1969 and delivered new to Castiglione delle Stiviere, Italy. Acquired by the current vendor around 25 years ago, it was originally finished in Rosso Capannelle with Senape leather interior. The car is now metallic blue with beige interior following a full restoration commissioned by the owner and carried out by a garage in Winterthur, Switzerland. Ready to form the centrepiece of any collection, this beautiful and rare Ghibli SS comes complete with tool kit and spare wheel, and is offered with a Swiss Carte Grise and an email from Maserati confirming its provenance.

Please note this motor car is subject to the reduced local import tax should it remain in the EU.

Although the car also comes with a Swiss Carte Grise, ASI document, and a Carta di Circolazione, please note the car will be subject to re-import tax should it return to Switzerland with a new owner.