1975 Maserati Merak

With a ‘Giallo Fly’ exterior and ‘Verde’ leather interior, it is a bright, vibrant and very well-preserved vision of sporting loveliness.

One of just 231 RHD Meraks imported to the UK, this fine-looking vehicle comes to us courtesy of a private vendor we know from the sale of another of his long-term-ownership Maseratis.

He has owned the car since 2001 and has covered just a few thousand miles in it.

The mileage since restoration is 10K in total and about 8K since the engine rebuild.

It has been kept warm dry throughout that period and is in pretty much the same excellent restored condition as the day be bought it.

The previous vendor had the car restored (ground-up, bare metal, nuts and bolts – documented by invoices and photography) between 1994 and 1999.

This comprehensive work and included having the engine rebuilt and the hydraulic system overhauled and upgraded.

The engine rebuild was carried out over the course of 2 years by Maserati experts McGrath, and included a crankshaft rebuild and overhauled main bearings.

The current vendor has just had a broken windscreen replaced (it took nearly a year to source and fit the right part), and has previously fitted a modern fuel pump and alternator to the car. 

The originals are in a box with the car, along with a Maserati car cover, a few gaskets and a factory-option spoiler for the front valance (the owner thinks the car looks better without it).

We have driven the vehicle and can attest to the fact that, even 48 years after it left the factory, this is still a car that brings a smile to the face and a very real sense that you’re in the presence of pure, pedigree, Italian automotive greatness. 

The steering is precise, fast and nicely weighted. 

It drives to a throaty, burbling soundtrack - complete with the odd overrun pop and explosion - that is pleasingly, and reassuringly, free of rattles, squeaks or whistles.

The hydraulic brakes do their job with plenty of enthusiasm and efficacy. 

It’s balanced, poised and handles like a thoroughbred. 

It starts, goes, corners, accelerates and stops just as you’d hope and wish.

Oh, and did we mention that it sounds great?

The shut lines and gaps are decent (at least by the standards of 1970s Maseratis), and the panels are pretty straight and largely free of any dinks, dents, creases, ripples or folds that we can see.

The yellow paint work has plenty of shine and lustre to it in general and makes the car really pop and sing in the little bit of November sunshine we were able to find.

We noticed a few small outbreaks of bubbling around the n/s/r wheel arch. 

Finally, we spotted a couple of patches of split and rough paint at both ends of the car’s flying buttresses at the rear.

The wheels are OK, and were refurbished about 3 years ago.

We think the tyres may be getting a little long-in-the-tooth and slightly hard.

The chrome, trim, badging, lights, lenses and other exterior fixtures and fittings are all pretty decent – although you won’t be surprised to learn that the pop-up headlights have their own idiosyncratic way of doing things and will decide in their own good time when they want to pop up and in what order.

The interior is every bit as impressive as its exterior counterpart.

The ‘Verde’ leather is, to our eyes, a delightfully muted and subtle shade of green that perfectly complements the bright yellow exterior. 

The upholstery is in very good order and has only an entirely appropriate light patina of age and wear to show for its long life.

The seats are supportive and comfortable and the driving position is really very good indeed, even if you’re 6ft tall.

We’re assuming that the rear seats are for the exclusive use of infants, circus performers or Yorkshire terriers.  

The headlining is excellent, as are the door cards.

The carpets and mats are equally decent, as is the fully carpeted and surprisingly capacious ‘frunk’. 

We didn’t flick every switch, press every button or twiddle every knob, but those we did flick, press and twiddle appeared to do as they were told – with the exception of the ammeter, which appears to have taken early retirement, and possibly the fuel gauge – which seemed to read much the same no matter how much fuel was on board.

The handbrake is only just capable of holding the car on even a very shallow incline and will need adjusting.

The engine and engine bay look clean, dry and in the kind of condition you’d hope and want to find. 

The undersides of the car look to have plenty of structural integrity.

We’ve seen nothing to make us shake our heads or tut.

The car has been used exceedingly sparingly over the last 20 or so years and has seen little use since being comprehensively restored. 

It comes with plenty of bills, receipts and invoices from McGrath and other specialists. 

It also comes with a photographic record of its restoration, copies of the manual and parts guide, a set full set of keys, a current V5 and a clear HPI check. 

Even though this is an older restoration, it has held up very well – thanks, primarily, to the car’s sparing use since the work was done.

It benefits from a life spent in the curation and care of owners who clearly know and love their Maseratis.

It is in fine condition and drives very well indeed.

This beautiful car just needs to get out on the open road, clear its throat and start clipping a few apexes.

We like it a great deal.

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £40,000 - £50,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.