1970 Maserati Ghibli SS Spyder RHD

SOLD

A total of 1,274 Ghiblis were built between 1966-73, but only 125 were Spyders. Only 25 Spyders were SS models with the larger 4.9-litre engine, and even fewer were right-hand drive. Reducing the production numbers still further, only one was the 1970 Earls Court Motor Show car, and this is it: an RHD SS (for the bigger 4.9-litre engine) convertible finished in Fly Yellow.

Maserati’s own paperwork confirms that Ghibli chassis 1229, a right-hand drive 4.9 SS finished in Giallo and with Borrani wire wheels, was manufactured in September 1970 for ‘Salon Di Londra’ (the Earls Court Motor Show). After being displayed on the Maserati stand, the factory-built Spyder was sold by importers MTC Cars on 1 February, 1971 to a Dr. Collins. Collins had the factory add power steering in 1972 and changed the colour of the car to silver.

The ownership trail is clear and well documented. Chassis 1229 was subsequently owned by J.J. Baynes of West Byfleet in Surrey, then M.D. Schimmel of Highgate in London between 1975-1983, by which time the mileage had risen to 25,000.

During this period, the car was restored in the workshops of marque specialist Bill McGrath. His seven pages of notes and four-page invoice detail extensive work carried out from March 1980 to May 1982, which included a return to the proper original shade of yellow and re-covering the seats in Connolly leather. The next owner was Maserati Club Secretary Michael James Miles of Andover, Hampshire, who also compiled a detailed record of work carried out between 1983-1996.

This Ghibli has carried its share of valuable UK license plates, being registered at one time or another as YLL 8, 5000 MM, 405 MM and, perhaps most appropriately, GIB 4929. Since 1997, the top end of the double-overhead camshaft V-8 engine has been overhauled (no small task), and the total mileage from new for this exceedingly rare, right-hand drive, ex-Motor Show Ghibli Spyder SS has risen to just over 76,000.