Like its sisters the Mistral and later the Khamsin, the Ghibli was named after European winds. Maserati’s penchant for using such nomenclature proved apropos as the cars were able performers in contemporary road tests. Being of a small boutique manufacturer, the Ghibli shared its tubular chassis with other cars in the company repertoire: the Quattroporte sedan and the Mexico coupe. The Ghibli’s wheelbase was reduced 3.5 inches from the Mexico, and the strictly two-seater was blessed with a gorgeous body all its own.

Unveiled at the 1966 Turin Auto Show, the beautiful 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.

Overall height was just 46 inches, despite being 180 inches long, making this one of the longest European two-seaters ever built. The long hood/short deck proportions were flawless, and the Ghibli looks perfect even when compared to today’s standards. The svelte body was so sexy it failed to dissuade seven-foot basketball great Wilt Chamberlain, who purchased a Ghibli when new.

Maserati upped the ante in 1970 with the introduction of the SS model, like this example, featuring a 335-horsepower 4.9-liter engine with solid-state ignition, four Weber 42 DCNF carburetors, and a top speed of 175 mph. In total, just 1,149 coupes and 125 spiders were produced over the production run.

This stunning and handsome example is from the Ghibli’s final year, made more desirable in very limited production 4.9 SS configuration. Finished in iconic and original Ghibli Red over a sumptuous tan leather interior, it is equipped with power steering, power windows, air conditioning, five-speed manual transmission, and AM-FM stereo/cassette radio. According to the consignor, it is well documented, including largely known ownership and service history from new with invoices going back to the original owner. The consignor adds that the Ghibli has very strong mechanicals and boasts a cosmetic restoration of the engine compartment in late-2016.

Given its rarity and stunning good looks, this is a special opportunity to purchase one of the most desirable GT cars of the early supercar era.