Iconic Maserati Ghibli: A Masterpiece of Automotive Design

Introduction

One knows he is developing something iconic when completely revolutionary thinking is infused in all parts of the manufacturing process. One such paragon of exquisite artwork is the Maserati Ghibli, which saw the light of day on the 3rd of November, 1966, at the Ghia stand of the Turin Motor Show. The two-seater coupe was the consequence of the painstaking effort of the legendary designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. An interesting story surrounds the name ‘Ghibli.’ The word denotes a vehement, warm wind that carries with it large tracts of sand, resonating well with what the car was intended to do.

Performance and Design

What truly brought the Maserati Ghibli to the climax of popularity is its 330 hp liberated by the 4,700-cc version, followed by an even more powerful 4,900-cc iteration with ludicrous power and torque figures that put other tall-claiming coupes to shame. Italians are known for their unique yet vivacious styles. To reiterate this, the hood was purposely lowered for a hunkered and wrapped-up stance.

The engine was equipped with dry sump, a solution used in racing cars, and was stacked above the tubular chassis. This combination provided the car with a taut and low-slung, extremely coveted stance.

Innovative Construction

Unlike other cars of the time where occupant cubicles were separated from the frame, the Maserati Ghibli featured a literally one-piece design, enhancing its agility on the road and minimizing body roll. Giugiaro’s legerity maintained that the structure was sinuous despite the geometrical conception of its design.

Iconic Features

A retro element, retractable headlights—which were a hallmark feature back in the day—was present in this car, a feature that became obsolete by the dawn of the millennium. In addition, a slender grille served as the throne for the logo, occupying the car's width.

To achieve mind-blowing articulation, a low bonnet, a heavily oblique windscreen, and great girth were all thoughtfully fused during its development. A signature element became the triangular rear pillar, which also flanked other models from Maserati.

Interior and Customization

The cockpit of the Maserati Ghibli was equally special and unique, featuring great quality switchgear and instrumentation. This interior spouted great style, comfort, and luxury without neglecting its prime objective of being a true-blue race car. This melange endeared it to everyone.

Following its launch in 1967, the interior saw a rehash just a year later, providing the customization of an automatic transmission that could be fitted upon request along with a 5-speed manual gearbox. An update that garnered attention was the inclusion of the Spyder or hard-top version, available from 1969. Subsequently, the 4,900-cc engine became standard on both trims, with the suffix ‘SS’ attached to the name.

Legacy and Conclusion

They tout that they sold 128 Spyder body styles of the car and over 1,200 coupe body styles between 1967 and 1972. In fact, one of these examples was even purchased by Henry Ford’s grandson, who parked it at the Ford Product Development Centre in Detroit for the staff to take inspiration from such a futuristic and iconic design for its cars.

As all good things come to an end, the Ghibli faced the wrath of time and made way for better and modern cars to keep the trident’s energy intact. However, fast forward to 2013, and we laid our eyes on a compact sports sedan that recuperated the iconic name. It draws attention with its striking design and crouched profile, in addition to the mind-boggling performance and opulence it has on offer. Will it be able to be the trailblazer for others to inspire from? Let us know in the comments.