Following yesterday's Lamborghini Urraco P250, we present Maserati's offering in the entry-level high-end mid-engine sports car space. Entry-level high-end. Hmm. Regardless, we're talking Porsche 911 fighters here. Powerful engines, smart chassis design, and not much potential for anything more than a weekend trip.
The Merak comes from the Citroen ownership era of Maserati history. Inside, you'll find a Citroen SM steering wheel and dashboard, while under the hood, the SM's 90 degree 187hp V6 makes an appearance. The bodywork forward of the doors is borrowed from the V8-powered Maserati Bora.
Year: 1974
Model: Maserati Merak
Engine: 3.0L V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 24,273mi
Price: $49,000
Location: Dallas, TX
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1974 Maserati Merak
1974 Maserati Merak This Merak is a totally rust free, California car. It’s been off the road and in storage since 1996. This car is really too nice for a restoration, I would encourage the next buyer to do a light detailing and go through the car to get it back onto the road. A local viewing is welcome and encouraged with appointment. We are happy to help buyers worldwide with shipping and freight logistics.
Oddly enough, it's the Citroen engineering that gives us hope for keeping one of these on the road with relative ease. The brake hydraulics are SM-derived, and while unorthodox, they are not as complex as they are made out to be. Keep in mind that it was this engine that made the basis for the later Biturbo cars, and while those can be a handful to maintain, the relative simplicity of the same basic engine in the SM and Merak will lend to a more satisfying ownership experience.
We're sort of surprised at the somewhat-reasonable price on what is, with only 600 units sold, a relatively rare Maserati. The Merak seems to track the pricing of its Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 more than it does the Urraco, or even the 911, for that matter. To us, it's a great opportunity to buy a great wedge design - from Giugiaro instead of Gandini, in this case. If this car cleans up and turns out to be in good mechanical order, we'd consider it to be a great purchase.
-Graham