330 bhp, 4,719 cc DOHC V-8 engine, five-speed manual transmission, coil spring independent front suspension, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Wheelbase: 100.4 in.

• One of only 125 spyders built

• Original interior; equipped with numerous options

• Numbers-matching; documented maintenance records

The Maserati Ghibli was the hit of the 1966 Turin Italy Automobile show. Designed by the brilliant young Giorgetto Giugiaro while working for Ghia, the Ghibli was conceived to serve the same market as the Lamborghini Miura and the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’. Production of the Ghibli began with a fastback coupé in April 1967, joined by the spyder in 1969. A race-bred, mid-mounted 4,719-cubic centimetre V-8 engine with dry-sump lubrication and two chain-driven camshafts per cylinder bank powered the Ghibli, producing 330 horsepower.

The first of the V-8 Maserati GT cars, the Ghibli could accelerate from 0–60 in 6.8 seconds and topped out at 154 mph—both remarkable figures for that time. It could be ordered with either a five-speed ZF manual transmission or a three-speed Borg-Warner automatic. The car’s tubular frame was derived from those of the Mexico and the Quattroporte sedan. The Ghibli featured disappearing headlamps, leather sport seats, and either alloy wheels or the optional and desirable Borrani wire wheels. Production ultimately totalled 1,149 coupés and only 125 spyders.

Although it was capable of supercar performance levels comparable to the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, the Ghibli is also known for its drivability at low and high speeds, as well as its predictable, balanced, and forgiving handling characteristics, a feature attributable to near-perfect weight distribution and a low centre of gravity. According to a recent road test in Classic & Sports Car magazine, “The truth is, you could learn to drive in this car or you could learn your racing lines in it.”

Offered here is an outstanding example of a well-maintained, original, and matching-numbers 1970 Maserati Ghibli Spyder. It is attractively finished in Celeste Blue with its original senape hide interior, and it also features a new black convertible top. For the driver, it is equipped with the desirable five-speed manual transmission and is understood to run and drive as well as one would expect. The odometer shows just over 41,000 miles, which appear to be from new and which attest to the car’s current condition. It is also fitted with nearly all the desirable options when ordered new, including Borrani wire wheels, air conditioning, tinted glass, electric windows, power steering, and the original radio and antenna. The original and unused spare tyre and tool roll are also in the boot.

This rare Ghibli spyder has been mechanically restored at a cost of over $50,000 from 2003–2010. The work has been documented and was performed by Dew Luxury Motorcars in Sterling, Virginia. Receipts and invoices are available upon request. It is no surprise that Ghibli spyders are strongly gaining in popularity as worthy alternatives to their contemporary competition, the Ferrari Daytona. This particular car, with its handsome colour scheme, is certainly a prime example.