Styled at Carrozzeria Ghia by Giorgetto Giugiaro launched in 1966 and named after a Sahara Desert wind, the Ghibli rivalled the Ferrari Daytona for straight-line performance with a top speed approaching 170mph.

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 wheel arches. The roofline fell away from the top of the steeply raked windscreen to the chopped-off tail, Giugiaro thus achieving a cabin lower than that of almost all the Ghibli's contemporaries.

The Ghibli used a shortened version of the Quattroporte saloon's tubular steel chassis in its live rear axle form. In preference to the more complex suspension designs favoured by its rivals, the Ghibli used leaf springs and a single locating arm. The power unit was Maserati's powerful, four-cam, 90-degree V8, derived from the 450S sports racer and first seen in the road-going guise in the 5000GT. This was used in the 4.7-litre form up to 1970 when it was superseded by the 4.9 litre SS version in order to meet ever more stringent emission laws. Its performance was stunning, with 100mph arriving 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 represents exceptional value for money today against its main rival, the Ferrari Daytona, just as it did 40 years ago.

This historically important example is finished in Rosso with a light tan leather interior and is the rarest of them all, being the 5 litre SS model one of 12 RHD Built.

Documents from Maserati Italy within the extensive history file confirm it was first delivered to Australia in September 1970 and originally finished in Verdi Gamm, she was imported to the UK in 1990 where she has stayed since.

An extensive body restoration was undertaken by a Specialist Windmill restoration in 1995 and the colour changed to Rosso and she was then sent to Bill Magrath for detailing and engine refresh carried out this being repeated years later in the later 2000s.

Over the years she has been maintained to the highest standards and always ready to be used and enjoyed not just stored as a show queen.

Maserati UK also owned her for a period for their Heritage display collection and since then she has featured in magazine articles and owned by true enthusiasts all history backed up in the comprehensive file including original handbooks, roadtests, invoices etc.

Without doubt one of the best looking of the Italian Supercars of the period and looks even more spectacular in the flesh with the detailing and style only the Italians can produce.

On the road she has a great presence with the long wide bonnet dominating the view from inside and an easy to master ZF gearbox as originally fitted makes this a supercar to drive especially with so much torque from the V8 and would easily complete any distance at high speed and in comfort.

Supplied fully inspected, serviced with 12 months warranty.