Can you place a price on exclusivity? Apparently, you can. During a six-year production run between 1967 and 1973, Maserati produced a mere 1,149 examples of its beautiful Ghibli Coupe. How many exist today is unclear, but this beautifully preserved 1968 model needs a new home. Therefore, the owner has listed it for sale here on Sports Car Market. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Araknid78 for referring this stunning classic, which is located somewhere in New York state, to us. So, what is the price of exclusivity? It seems that the figure stands at $197,000, according to the listing.

When you look at this Maserati’s overall appearance, it’s easy to see the hand of Giorgetto Giugiaro in its styling. Its lines are low and sleek and endow this classic with a sense of elegant presence. It seems that most examples of the Ghibli that we see in today’s market wear Red paint, but this car breaks the mold by being cloaked in stunning Midnight Blue. It shines beautifully, and it is hard to spot any flaws or defects. The panels are laser straight, while the gaps are as tight and consistent as you might expect from a hand-finished vehicle built by craftsmen. There is no evidence of rust, and the seller says that the underside is clean and solid. He indicates that the Ghibli is stored in a temperature-controlled garage, which has undoubtedly helped its cause on this front. The chrome and glass are flawless, while the beautiful Campagnolo knock-off alloy wheels are in as-new condition.

The beauty of Italian classics often extends below the skin, with some of their engines being mechanical works of art. That is the case with the Ghibli. Its engine bay is occupied by a 4,719cc quad-cam V8 that produces 310hp. Those Italian stallions find their way to the road via the rear wheels and a five-speed ZF manual transmission. That sweet V8 should produce 310hp, and while the Maserati tips the scales at a relatively heavy 3,615lbs, it still possesses performance levels that allow it to be legitimately classed as an accomplished Grand Tourer. The journey down the ¼ mile takes 14.3 seconds, while a brave driver could see the speedometer needle nudge past 160mph before this classic runs out of breath. The history of this Ghibli seems to be loaded with stories of TLC. The car received a complete mechanical overhaul in 1990. It has accumulated 4,901 since then, although the owner treated the car to a further mechanical refresh in 2017. He holds records and receipts for this work, which is always reassuring when dealing with a vehicle of this caliber. However, it seems that the buyer won’t need to spend a dime on this car’s drivetrain. It has recently been serviced, and the owner says that it runs and drives perfectly. The next stop for this gem would seem to be the wide-open road.

If you are not a fan of leather upholstery, the interior of a Ghibli will never be your cup of tea. However, if you are partial to vast expanses of dead cows, you will love the inside of this survivor. It seems that every upholstered surface wears Sand leather, and apart from some slight stretching on the driver’s seat, it appears to be in exceptional condition for its age. There’s no evidence of dryness or cracks, while the carpet and dash are equally impressive. The driver peers through a beautiful wood-rimmed wheel at a wide array of gauges and dials, while the dash hosts a collection of toggle switches that I feel are an integral part of the character of a classic sports car. Occupants don’t miss out on creature comforts because this Maserati features air conditioning, power windows, a tilt wheel, a rear defroster, and a radio/cassette player.

Like any classic car, this 1969 Maserati Ghibli will not appeal to every enthusiast. However, it is a beautifully preserved example of a rare Italian Grand Tourer. When it was new, it offered its owner breathtaking performance that matched its lithe appearance. Thanks to the TLC that its current owner has lavished upon it, this Maserati should still be capable of reaching the performance it provided in its youth. I won’t pretend that this is a cheap classic, but its rarity makes it pretty special. I hold a strong affection for Italian classics, and I’m not ashamed to say that I will envy the new owner of this beauty. Do we have any readers who feel the same?