Maserati is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the legendary Ghibli with the certification of an extraordinary 1970 Ghibli SS Coupé, a historically significant example once reserved by the Maserati family. Powered by a 4.9-liter V8 producing 335 hp and capable of reaching 280 km/h, the iconic Italian grand tourer represents one of the finest expressions of the brand’s heritage.
Six decades after the Maserati Ghibli made its debut, the Trident brand is paying tribute to one of the most influential models in its history. At the center of the anniversary celebrations is a remarkable 1970 Maserati Ghibli SS Coupé, chassis number AM115/49*1948*, which has received the official Certification of Authenticity from the Maserati Classiche program.
The car’s story makes it particularly special. Originally produced on November 25, 1970, for the Italian market, this example was reserved by the Maserati family and represents an important connection between the brand’s history and the people responsible for building its legacy.
Its certification is more than a recognition of an exceptionally preserved classic. It also highlights Maserati’s ongoing commitment to protecting its heritage, craftsmanship, and historical identity.
Maserati Ghibli SS: A 335 HP Italian Grand Tourer with a 280 km/h Top Speed
The 1970 Maserati Ghibli SS Coupé is an impressive reminder of an era when Italian grand touring cars combined dramatic styling with powerful naturally aspirated engines and the ability to cover long distances at extraordinary speeds.
Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro for Carrozzeria Ghia, the Ghibli featured a distinctive body characterized by a long bonnet, low-slung proportions, an elegant fastback silhouette, and an unmistakably sporting personality. Its 2+2 seating configuration also provided a degree of practicality without compromising the car’s luxurious character.
This particular example was originally finished in Oro Longchamps, while its current exterior wears Giallo Fly paintwork. The yellow finish is complemented by the original black leather interior, preserving an important element of the car’s historical identity.
Under the exceptionally long bonnet sits Maserati’s formidable 4.9-liter V8 engine, producing 335 hp. Equipped with carburetors and paired with a ZF five-speed manual transmission, the powerplant sends the Ghibli SS to a claimed top speed of 280 km/h.
At the time, those figures placed the Ghibli SS among the fastest and most desirable grand touring automobiles in the world.
One of the engineering highlights was the engine’s dry-sump lubrication system, which allowed Maserati engineers to position the V8 lower in the chassis. This contributed to the Ghibli’s exceptionally low bonnet line and helped establish the car’s distinctive proportions.
The result was an automobile that combined performance, elegance, and long-distance comfort in a way that would become central to Maserati’s identity.
The Maserati Ghibli: A Design Icon Born in 1966
The story of the Maserati Ghibli began on November 3, 1966, when the Italian manufacturer unveiled its new grand touring coupé at the Turin Motor Show.
Designed by the young Giorgetto Giugiaro during his time at Carrozzeria Ghia, the Ghibli represented a significant evolution in Maserati’s design language. Its proportions were bold, its silhouette exceptionally low, and its styling remarkably clean for an era defined by some of the most influential automotive designs in history.
The long front bonnet, retractable pop-up headlights, sharply defined front end, and elegant rear fastback profile gave the Ghibli an unmistakable presence.
Even today, the original model remains one of the most recognizable examples of Italian automotive design from the 1960s.
Its name was equally distinctive. Ghibli refers to a hot, powerful desert wind originating in North Africa, continuing Maserati’s tradition of naming several of its automobiles after winds.
Following the coupé’s commercial introduction in 1967, Maserati expanded the range in 1969 with the Ghibli Spyder, which was also available with a removable hardtop.
In 1970, both body styles received the more powerful 4.9-liter V8 engine, creating the Ghibli SS versions.
The model quickly established itself as a favorite among wealthy customers, collectors, and automotive enthusiasts. Its international appeal was perhaps best illustrated by Henry Ford II, who purchased a Ghibli and subsequently had it displayed in the lobby of Ford’s Product Development Center in Detroit.
The decision was reportedly intended to inspire Ford’s designers, demonstrating just how influential the Italian grand tourer had become beyond Europe’s automotive industry.
Maserati Classiche Certification Protects the Brand’s Heritage
The certification of the 1970 Ghibli SS Coupé also places the spotlight on Maserati Classiche, the program established in Modena in 2021 to preserve, authenticate, and promote the manufacturer’s historic automobiles.
Now integrated into the wider BOTTEGAFUORISERIE project, Maserati Classiche plays an important role in ensuring that the brand’s technical knowledge, craftsmanship, and historical documentation remain accessible to future generations.
At the heart of the program is the Certification of Authenticity, a detailed process conducted by a committee of specialists. Each vehicle undergoes an extensive examination covering its technical specifications, historical documentation, and available records preserved in Maserati’s archives.
The certification is available for Maserati automobiles more than 20 years old, as well as selected special models and limited-production series.
Through its Officine Classiche facilities, the company combines historical research with technical expertise to verify the originality and authenticity of individual vehicles.
The objective is not simply to establish a car’s collector value. Maserati also wants to ensure that the knowledge and craftsmanship behind its most important models are preserved as part of the brand’s wider cultural heritage.
The Collezione Maserati Umberto Panini in Modena is another important part of this effort, providing enthusiasts with an opportunity to experience some of the manufacturer’s most significant historical automobiles.
Maserati Celebrates Six Decades of the Ghibli with Its International Owners Community
The Ghibli’s 60th anniversary celebrations will also bring together Maserati owners, collectors, and enthusiasts from across the international community.
The Maserati Owners Club Italy will mark the occasion with a special visit to the manufacturer’s headquarters in Modena, where several historically significant vehicles will be presented.
Among the highlights will be a rare Ghibli Spyder belonging to the Collezione Umberto Panini, alongside several important examples of the Quattroporte and Ghibli model families.
The collection of vehicles will include:
- A rare Maserati Ghibli Spyder from the Collezione Umberto Panini.
- An armored Maserati Quattroporte III previously used by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, known as the Spadolini.
- The last Maserati Quattroporte III delivered in Italy.
- A special Maserati Quattroporte III Royale.
- A Maserati Ghibli II Primatist, produced in a limited series of just 36 examples.
The presence of the Ghibli II Primatist is particularly meaningful because it connects the celebrations with another important achievement in Maserati’s history.
On November 4, 1996, Italian powerboat champion Guido Cappellini established a world record in the powerboat category aboard the Primatist vessel, powered by a Maserati engine.
To commemorate that achievement, Maserati introduced the Ghibli II Primatist in 1997. With production limited to just 36 examples, the special edition became one of the most exclusive versions of the second-generation Ghibli.
November 3: A Special Date in Maserati History
The Ghibli anniversary is not the only reason November 3 holds a special place in the manufacturer’s history.
Exactly ten years after the original Ghibli’s unveiling, on November 3, 1976, Maserati presented the Quattroporte III, internally designated Project AM330, at the Turin Motor Show.
Developed as the next generation of the manufacturer’s prestigious luxury sedan, the Quattroporte III represented a different interpretation of the Maserati philosophy.
Where the Ghibli emphasized sporting elegance and high-speed grand touring, the Quattroporte III focused on combining exceptional comfort, exclusivity, and performance in a luxury four-door package.
The model would eventually become one of the brand’s most prestigious sedans and was also used by the Italian Presidency.
Together, these two automobiles illustrate the breadth of Maserati’s engineering and design ambitions, demonstrating how the manufacturer successfully combined Italian elegance with performance across different vehicle categories.
From the Original Ghibli to the Modern Maserati GranTurismo
While the original Ghibli helped establish the modern concept of the Italian grand tourer, its philosophy continues to influence Maserati’s contemporary lineup.
The modern Maserati GranTurismo represents the latest interpretation of the same principles that defined its predecessor 60 years ago.
Although separated by six decades of technological development, the two cars share several fundamental characteristics: harmonious proportions, a long bonnet, an elegant cabin, exceptional comfort, and the ability to deliver high performance without sacrificing long-distance usability.
The contemporary GranTurismo combines traditional Italian design with advanced technology and offers customers a choice between internal-combustion and fully electric powertrains.
This evolution demonstrates how Maserati intends to preserve its distinctive identity while adapting to the changing demands of the automotive industry.
The original Ghibli was created during one of the most exciting periods in Italian automotive history, when design, engineering, and performance came together to produce some of the world’s most desirable automobiles.
The modern GranTurismo carries that philosophy into a new era, maintaining the emphasis on exclusivity, driving pleasure, and unmistakable Italian character.
Six Decades of Maserati Ghibli: A Legacy That Continues
The certification of the 1970 Maserati Ghibli SS Coupé provides a fitting centerpiece for the model’s 60th anniversary celebrations.
From its spectacular debut at the 1966 Turin Motor Show to the introduction of the powerful Ghibli SS, the model established itself as one of the defining automobiles of Maserati’s history.
Its combination of Giorgetto Giugiaro’s timeless design, a powerful V8 engine, exceptional performance, and grand touring refinement helped establish a formula that continues to influence the brand today.
More importantly, the story of this particular Ghibli SS demonstrates that Maserati’s heritage is not simply about preserving historic automobiles. It is about maintaining the connection between generations of engineers, designers, owners, and enthusiasts who have helped shape the Trident’s identity.
Six decades after its introduction, the Ghibli remains a powerful symbol of Italian automotive excellence, and Maserati Classiche’s certification ensures that one of its most fascinating examples will continue to tell that story for generations to come.
Source: Maserati
