The Economical Maserati? 1975 Merak
I am learning that I don’t know my Maseratis (and there’s a lot of other car stuff that I don’t know either), but the Merak (’72-’83) is a new one for me. I’m familiar with the Bora but don’t recall ever encountering a Merak. They have been covered on BF from time to time but today’s 1975 example is one of the cleanest examples that has been featured – it’s not all original but it certainly presents well. Calling Cumming, Georgia home, this 2+2 is available, here on eBay for $20,300 with four bids tendered as of this writing.
With only about 1,800 produced, that may be one reason why I can’t recall the Merak. It is a 2+2 configuration but the back seat is more a place to toss stuff or park very small people than it is a true back seat. And while we’re talking about the interior, this Maserati reflects Italian style with its thinner padded black vinyl upholstery and all-business instrument panel. The single-spoke steering wheel is not exactly what I was expecting in a car of this nature but it integrates nicely with the dash and its non-cracked pad. Unfortunately, most of the A/C components are missing as is the original radio. The seller mentions that he has a non-working Blaupunkt cassette player included in the sale but I’m not sure why a prospective buyer would want it. The odometer reflects 42K miles but it is not believed to be an accurate recording.
A Merak meant a mid-engine, 3.0 liter V6 generating 180 HP and putting the go to the ground via a five-speed manual transaxle. Interestingly, this Maserati has been downgraded to a 2.7-liter Citroen SM engine from which the original Merak’s 3.0-liter unit was developed. There’s no word about what happened to the born-with powerplant as it was replaced by the previous owner. There’s also no description as to how this slick-looking Maserati runs and drives.
So, slick looking I suggest? Yes, I think so, the flying buttress extended rear pillars are a very cool touch and pull the car’s profile together smoothly and uniquely. The finish is excellent and the body panels all show as being well aligned. The biggest exterior drawback is the hideous black, rubber five MPH rammers, a necessary capitulation to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and I’m quite certain, not what designer Giorgetto Giugiaro had in mind. The Campagnolo alloy wheels tie the exterior together perfectly.
OK, so it’s not original with its wrong engine, and the removed A/C system will be a problem for some, but this is still a notable and very Italian-flavored automobile, even if it is considered a junior-level model. Regardless, it’s still a product from a renowned and respected marque so it’s due some cred in its own right, wouldn’t you agree?
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Comments
I would certainly want to make arrangements with the seller sale pending on a thorough inspection. Knowing that the Maserati V6 has timing chain and exhaust valve needs would lead me to assume that happened to the original engine. I like the early Merak models owing to their link to Citroen. Car looks to have potential and that red works with the car.
So no reserve, and no mention of it even running?
That single-spoke wheel is explained by it being shared in common with the Citroen SM, along with the dashboard as well, as Citroen owned Maserati during this era. Later Meraks and Boras got a more sporting wheel and angular dash after Citroen washed their hands of the marque.
I think the transaxle may also be shared with the SM, but as the SM was front mid-engined with the transaxle in front of the engine, they would have had to flip the differential gears around to drive the wheels in the right direction with the transaxle behind the rear-mid engine here.
The back bumper doubles as a handy picnic bench
It’s a pretty car but it’s not original And there’s no proof of the engineering runs
I am VERY familiar with age-related plastic cracking on switches, panels and controls of the Ghibli, Mexico, and Bora, and Kahmsin that are this car’s heritage. . A car of this vintage will have need of a good deal of deeper restoration that gets right down into the minusha of functional components simply due to age.. Be ready for MANY small, yet critical attention to details.. Still, all very nice lines on these beauties!
Wasn’t the engine the Volvo , Citroen , Renault,2.8 L overhead cam ,which they had trouble with the Camshafts being to soft & failing after about 30K.
No, I think that was one of the PRV? engine models you are thinking of.
As a 43 year owner of a Citroen SM, either engine is great. They have timing chains which need to be tightened about every 30K miles and replaced about every 50K. Not a big job. The 2.7 engine was used first because of the French taxation. In the US, the engine was increased to the 3.0.
Good cars. No problem with the suspension. The seals over time will leak in the sphere’s but an easy fix as they can be easily unscrewed, recharged and replaced and good for a long time.
Nice car.
Tightened every 10,000 miles, I believe is the recommended interval.
Cam chains checked and tightened every 10,000 mile interval is recommended procedure.
Sorry for the double post, my smart/dumb phone is often slow and twitchy!
The ergonomics of this car, once inside the cabin, are superior to anything else including Ferrari. Everything falls into place for the driver and the back seats are roughly the same as with the Porsche 911.
Sold $28,200, 14 bids.
It will need a new turn signal, wiper, lighting switch, without question.
It is inevitible. Shrinking plastic.
Similar plastics under the heat of the sun for 40 years 500k km in the Summer with or w/out roof in my X1-9 w. no shrinking. Rarely in wet conditions/ prolong garage storage the lighting switch (w. retractable front lights) may need to be taken out & some WD-40 spry done
Yours is not a Vitaloni Switch. It likely is a CAVIS switch. Different plastic, yet also quite problem prone. I have repaired over 2,000 Steering column switches since 1990. The Maserati Ghibli, Merak, Kahmsin, and Mexico, version, commonly called the “Square Bodied” Vitaloni switch is a specialily troublsome version. We have recreated most all the problem prone components of this switch using non-shrinking acrylic “Dental” plastics- and are actually deeper and more successfully involved in this version repair likely than anybody. I refrain from openly commenting on this forum regarding our expertice in exotic car parts restoration–because often it is seen as “Advertising”. No mention of our name here ! This has gotten me repromanded on several forums. We do not need to advertize other than by word-of-mouth from satisfied customers. We are overwhelmed with work. We have the solutions, experience, and records of success through 1st in show cars ar Pebble Beach and many other venues. We supply solutions for over 75 Ferrari Maserati dealerships. The parts guys know who we are. Unless already restored by us, OR a VERY savvy artist, this car will need a switch soon. PERIOD. It is simply a matter of time. Its time is up.
Ended: Jun 24, 2023 , 2:13PM
Winning bid:US $28,200.00 [ 14 bids ]