The sensational Maserati Ghibli was the talk of the 1966 Turin Auto Show. The Ghibli was designed by the brilliant young Giorgetto Giugiaro while he was working for Ghia. It was conceived as a luxurious yet sporting GT car that was ideal for high-speed touring on the European continent. Production of the Ghibli began with a fastback coupé in April 1967, which was joined by the open-top spyder in 1969. Featuring a race-bred, mid-mounted, 4,719 cc V-8 engine with dry-sump lubrication and two chain-driven camshafts per cylinder bank, the car produced an ample 330 hp.

Chassis no. 1179 is one of the very desirable 125 factory-built spyders. According to information obtained from the Maserati factory, it was manufactured in September 1970 with the 4.7-litre engine, finished in Giallo over a black leather interior, and fitted with an automatic transmission. The car was delivered new to the United States, in the Chicago, Illinois, area.

This well-kept Maserati is showing just over 35,000 miles on the U.S.-specification odometer, but an inspection shows great authenticity throughout. A sticker on the door reflects a service just a few hundred miles ago from noted the Maserati Candini in Modena, an indication that this Ghibli has received excellent care. The Maserati was purchased by the consignor in 2015, with its two most recent custodians residing in Italy. With the immediate previous owner, the car was sent to Cremonini in Modena for a complete engine rebuild and some minor bodywork. While the factory information lists the car as originally delivered with an automatic transmission, a five-speed manual gearbox is presently installed, marking a desirable upgrade for sporty driving in true Maserati fashion.

The Ghibli spyder is widely considered to be one of the finest open grand touring cars Maserati has ever constructed, fashioned in the great Italian tradition of poise, elegance, and power.