The introduction of the Bora in 1971 represented Maserati’s first rear-engined production car. The mighty 450 S–derived engine and five-speed ZF transaxle were fitted to a monocoque chassis employing four-wheel independent suspension, and the Citroën-supplied hydropneumatic control system not only powered the ventilated disk brakes, but also—ingeniously—permitted “touch button” movement of the pedal box, driving seat position, headlights, and windows.

This package, combined with sleek coachwork courtesy of Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign, ensured formidable performance, with 60 mph reached in under seven seconds and a top speed of 170 mph. It was also perhaps the most practical supercar of its era, with a generous storage compartment to the front and enviable levels of both sound and heat deadening. From 1971 to 1980, Maserati produced 564 examples of the Bora.

This Maserati Bora was sold new in the spring of 1973 through the Grossman Motor Car Corp of West Nyack, New York, to Marv Tonkin Ford of Portland, Oregon, for $23,500. It was subsequently purchased by the Ford dealership owner’s brother. Finished in a wonderful shade of red accented by a stainless roof and a pillars, it features a Vitaloni Tornado driver’s-side mirror and rides on Michelin XWX radial tires mounted on Campagnolo wheels. The interior features sweeping bucket seats, power windows, a Blaupunkt Frankfurt stereo, and an aftermarket Pioneer cassette deck. The Bora is accompanied by a copy of its invoice, select registrations from current ownership, an owner’s manual, and manuals for the Blaupunkt stereo and Pioneer cassette deck.

A rare and underappreciated Italian thoroughbred, this Bora is one of just 250 examples with the desirable 4.9-liter V-8. This is a thrilling Maserati for any grand sports car collection.