Like its sisters the Mistral and later the Khamsin, the Ghibli was named after a fierce wind. Unveiled at the 1966 Turin Auto Show, its beautiful flowing lines were penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro, then chief designer at Ghia. The styling was long, low, and wide, with hidden headlamps and a grille prominently punctuated by the firm’s trident emblem foreshadowing the styling of Maseratis to come in the 1970s. Production began in 1967, and the Ghibli quickly proved a worthy competitor against the Ferrari 275 GTB and Lamborghini 400 GT, its chief rivals.

Maserati upped the ante in 1970 with the introduction of the SS model, featuring a 335 hp, 4.9-liter engine with solid-state ignition and four Weber 42 DCNF carburetors. At its release it was the fastest car Maserati had ever produced, with a top speed of 175 mph. In total, just 1,170 coupes and 125 spiders were produced over the production run; it is believed that just 250 Ghiblis were SS 4.9-liter models in any variation.

Chassis no. 2372 was completed in July 1972, finished in the stunning shade of Oro Kelso (gold) over Nero (black) Connolly leather. The SS was delivered to the U.S. and offered at Grossman Motor Cars in West Nyack, New York. On 8 March 1974, salesman Allen Sockol sold the Ghibli SS, with 22 miles at the time, to its first owner for $21,000. A copy of the original Bill of Sale accompanies the car, which goes on to state that a 1971 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V-12 was taken on trade. The original owner, a resident of New York’s upscale Long Island Hamptons community, stated that he was originally in the market for a Ferrari 365 GTB/4, but after driving both the Ghibli SS and the Daytona at the selling dealer, he decided that the Ghibli was a much smoother car, falling in love with the drivability and overall feel. The Ghibli spent a great deal of its life on Long Island under original ownership, and today the car retains a period East Hampton parking permit on the driver-side rear glass.

In 2013 the Ghibli SS was sent to Italy by its second caretaker for a complete nut-and-bolt restoration by marque experts. Meticulously restored, the car was brought back to the way it left the factory with impeccable attention to detail throughout. It was subsequently sold and is currently offered having had only three owners from new. Today the car remains in exceptional condition throughout, a testament to the high-quality restoration it received in its native country.

In addition to the copy of its original Bill of Sale, this Ghibli SS has impressive documentation provided by Maserati Classiche, including the car’s Certificate of Origin, Technical & Aesthetic Characteristics Certificate, and copies of the Final Tests Data Sheet, End of Line Data Sheet, and the Delivery Note. The certificates confirm the car’s original colors and, most importantly, verifies that this Ghibli SS is a highly desirable numbers-matching example, including the chassis, engine, and body. Also included with the car is a tool roll, spare wheel, and reproduction Use and Maintenance and Spare Parts manuals.

The Ghibli SS is arguably one of the finest Italian grand tourers of the 1970s. This exquisite three-owner example, having benefitted from a meticulous restoration, is a concours-quality sports car and one that is ready to be appreciated for years to come.