Mid-Engined 2+2: 1974 Maserati Merak
If you ever felt truly compelled to explore the limits of what can be called back seats, I present Maserati’s entry into the world of 2+2 coupes: the Merak. This 1974 example is located in Huntsville, Alabama, and is advertised here on Facebook Marketplace. Asking price for this rare exotic is $35,000.
The Merak was a product of a particular time, a particular place, and a particular company– that company being Citroën. The French manufacturer had purchased Maserati in 1968 with the intention of incorporating the legendary manufacturer’s engine technology in their new grand tourer: the SM. The Italians were set to work designing a new 2.8L V6 for the SM, ultimately managing to deliver a design in only a few weeks. The new engine was a winner for Citroën, capable of pushing the SM to a top speed of 140 miles per hour.
But any relationship has its give and take. The Italians gave the French an engine, but then they took it back. In the mid-engined Merak, it would be unconstrained by French taxes on displacement, allowing Maserati to bore it out to nearly a full 3 liters. This brought the output to 187 hp at 6000 RPM, ultimately making the Merak nearly 10 mph faster than its French cousin. The Italians also took a gearbox, much of the hydropneumatic systems, and the dash of the Citroen: witness the single spoke steering wheel. What they didn’t take was design. Although it used the Maserati Bora as a starting point, the Merak noticeably diverged past the trailing edge of the doors, abandoning the Bora’s large back glass for a small vertical rear window. While this choice kept the engine separate from the people, the lines of the roof were extended via rear pillars, softening the abrupt transition to the flat engine cover. The innovative, bold design should come as no surprise, since the Merak’s lines flowed from the pen of the man that arguably defined the shape of sports cars in the Seventies, Giorgetto Giugiaro.
From the information presented in the advertisement, it appears this car hasn’t run in some time. In fact, the seller states that he’s never started it. As a result, the next owner will have to address all the things that tend to sour when a car sits for an extended period. Given the specialist nature of the Citroën systems and their unique application in this Italian exotic, this might be viewed as either an interesting opportunity to learn more about French engineering or a frustrating foray into the world of automotive marriages that were never going to last. Citroën owned Maserati for a little over seven years, until Alejandro de Tomaso took over in 1975. This pairing was fraught with drama from almost every angle, and ultimately imploded against the backdrop of the oil crisis. But sometimes the most contentious partnerships can produce something truly remarkable– something like the Merak.
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Comments
Great write up Andy. I like the eclectic mix of French and Italian. I think this was Maserati’s answer to the Dino as a entry into the exotic arena. One thing is for certain 35K will never get you a Dino. The new owner will definitely have a large financial responsibility to bring this one back. Is it worth it? I think so these have lagged in the market for a long time. They will continue to increase in valve. Use this as your stepping stone to a Bora someday.
I own one and can comment about the Merak for sale. This example looks like a reasonable restoration candidate dependent on the rust issues; gas tank problems and various other mechanical and hydraulics issues that may or may not exist. The cosmetics are lacking; front bumper is not there, medallion, etc. inappropriate hood, the spare tire budge in the engine lid; interior seats redone, etc… along with the paint. The value of the Merak in the market is far undervalued and with certainty will approach the Bora status very shortly as is evidenced in the EU. The asking price is reasonable but one should be warned if all work is to be professionally accomplished, lack of DYI, this will cost approx. that of a Bora and subsequently have to be held to recuperate the investment. That said, when complete as mine is, they are as rewarding as any Ferrari; have a great exhaust sound when equipped with an Abarth system or any high-performance exhaust. The look like no other (possibly Mangusta or Pantera); take to the show field in splendor and bring a smile to your face when driving!
The seller does say they have the front bumper, and most parts. I hope it gets back on the road.
I see a lot of 1974 Maserati Meraks with the same hood and bulged engine lid as this one. If this wasn’t stock then it was an incredibly popular and common upgrade.
It is stock, at least for US models. It was to accommodate a full size spare, which I think was a requirement of the time. I think this was required for only a few years.
I am the seller. The car is complete minus the spare tire. Medallion is present ?? The hood is correct not sure what you mean by inappropriate? Rust is minimal. The reason why the car was stored was it was in the midst of driver side gas tank replacement and the owner passed away. The car was moved into their home garage and was purchased from the estate by the person whom I purchased it from. He immediately sold it to me for a hefty sum compared to his purchase price. I own several era Ferrari, Lambo and Maserati this is very good candidate. Honestly I may have underpriced it but have another in my collection.
Back when I was a Porsche wrench, the dealer owner had one. Good god it was beautiful. I liked the challenge of working on and maintaining. Forristall’s was just down the road and could source many parts.
The worse part of them ended up being the carbs. When properly balanced, tuned (and throttle shafts sealed) they were great. And then the humidity would change and it’d loose the snappy response. I could get 911’s to stay in tune but the DCNF’s always evaded me. Good times.
I really like any of the mids like this: europa, X 1 / 9, ferro, MR2, etc.
Just bought the latter. A few ‘touches’ and wkends at SCCA events, no?
chrlsful. What generation of Mister2 did you get?
Hi speed specialists. Those rims are beautiful.
Love the green Alfa in the background.
cromodora wheels…very pricy and drop-dead collectible/beautiful!
The hood is a SS option from 1975 on only and the budge in the engine lid was a USA only version along with the huge Federally mandated bumpers. The owner of this auto should be addressing this in his ad if asked. I suppose one has to do the needed due diligence to make sure that the investment pays off ..Also, I am not the final word at all…only relaying what I have learned after 15+ years of ownership and being a member of the Merak Group.
I have 2 1974 Merak and they were built 8 days apart and they both have the same exact hood. My red car being chassis 54 built 6/25/74 sold to New Jersey and the black (for sale) chassis 46 built 6/17/74 sold to Los Angeles. These cars are mid 74 production and do not have the flat non grill hood of the earlier Merak. The black one I am selling has the bulge lid on the engine and my red one has the flat. Both are US Spec. These differences were happening mid production. Please elaborate on your 75 hood SS option comment and where you are getting your information. My information comes from build records from Fabio Collina Maserati classiche
Seller: I am not commenting to engage in a pissing battle of facts; re: my visits to Maserati in Italy and second, from Maserati. Maserati in the seventies did not hold the best records and secondly, it is stated by the factory that the SS model only carried the louvered hood. The SS did not begin production until the 75 model…all others had the flat hood. The bump in the engine cover was a USA run to fit a full-size spare; the spare is still there in the EU models, albeit only slightly smaller on a very special rim, but has a much more desirable flat engine cover. It is entirely possible for changes to have happened given the records complied but highly improbable according to present day Maserati Corp. officials. Good luck with your cars’ sale.
No pissing match.So in the same sentence Maserati didn’t keep good records and Maserati said… Ok it’s clearer now. My information comes from Maserati classiche. Even if the SS model began in 1975 the thought that those parts were not already being fitted to cars that would be sold months later as 75. My statement is that 2 cars 8 days apart received the SS hoods and 1 received a flat engine lid and one the bulge engine lid. Both US spec. My request for you to state where your information comes from was to get clarity of your comments. If I cannot rely on Maserati classiche information then what? They are supposedly the final word. You made claims saying I should address them in the Ad. This causes confusion to prospective buyers that the car is incorrect. If you are not willing elaborate on the basis of your facts then it’s an opinion. Good day to you 😊