∙Bare-metal respray ∙One of 140 RHD UK spec SS models ∙A recorded mileage of only 48,412 ∙Engine rebuild
The Background
Created as a cut-price Bora, the Merak has much in common with its V8 powered sibling, sharing its mid-engined layout and part of its structure and body panels. By installing the smaller longitudinally-mounted light-alloy V6 engine, it offered a passable impression of portraying a 2+2 seat layout. Also crafted by Giugiaro, the distinctive open flying buttress is the defining feature of the styling, and rates as one the prettiest supercars of the era. With its taut mid-engined handling attributes and red-blooded verve, you have a car that not only sounds sensational but still turns heads.
The Merak SS version first released in 1975, enhanced the already lively and responsive characteristic with an extra 30bhp, to firmly plant it into the 150 mph club. This 1979 car has matching engine and chassis numbers, with documentation from Maserati to confirm that this car is indeed a genuine 3-litre SS model. Said to be only one of 140 RHD SS models built, the car was subject to an extensive restoration but has been placed on hold due to personal circumstance.
As a genuine UK RHD car, it is also believed to have spent time in a private collection in France prior to it being returned to the UK. The previous owner bought the car in 2001 and had used it as a show car, which also prompted a fantastic photo of the car at Brooklands with Sterling Moss. In 2007, the car went into storage and subsequently sold to the current owner in 2012.
When he bought the car, it was finished in dark blue, but according to Maserati records the car was originally sold in ‘Russo Rubino’, or in 'inglese' a mid-dark red. Swayed by the cars seductive styling and good all-round condition, he took a chance on it due to its reasonable asking price. While the best-laid plans often have good intentions, after buying a few components as part of the upkeep of the car, it soon developed into a full ground-up but unintentional restoration.
The current owner's attention was initially focused on the engine, as it had been standing for 4 years. The water pump was not functioning correctly and it was promptly refurbished including new seals. For peace of mind it was then followed by a top-end rebuild. By this stage, the owner investigated other aspects that would require attention, which inevitably resulted in a spending spree. However, he maintained his belief that the car would see the road again, as it was fundamentally a sound car with a recorded mileage of 48,412. Unfortunately, the owner recently fell ill and plans to finally finish the car were put on hold. As he recovers, he has come to the conclusion that the Merak has to go as he recuperates. The car has been stored indoors since 2007.
The car comes with evidence of recent spending, in line with the engine work and parts expenditure that comes with the restoration. There are several receipts from Maserati specialist, Bill McGrath. There is also additional reading material of interest, which includes several manuals, a parts catalogue and an Osprey guide on the Bora & Merak. The owner also has a Maserati document which states the originality of the chassis and engine number, which also discloses the cars original colour and interior specification.
Unfortunately, the evidence of restoration photos have been lost due to the owner's phone malfunction. However, because of the unfinished state of the car, it is fairly obvious that the car has seen a lot of work. As a rough guide, the owner sent the car to several specialists and he estimates that he spent around £2,000 on metal fabrication, £4,000 on a bare metal respray and £3,000 on the engine rebuild.
The original age-related registration plate may be lost in the past, as the private Northern Ireland plate seems to have been with the car for at least 20 years. The number plate will come with the car. Obviously, the Maserati cannot currently move under its own power and therefore currently sold without an MOT and will need to be trailered to its new home.
The interior is largely in good condition and would just need a little TLC to bring it back to scratch. There is age-related wear on the leather seats which display a few scuffs but they are rip free and could clean up nicely. They are presentable, but the owner feels that they would benefit from being refurbished on account of the age-related cracks. An upholsterer has already remedied a tear on one of the seats. The headlining is good, with no rips. The door cards are not currently fitted on the car but are said to be in good condition. The leather dashboard has withstood the years relatively well, with no significant cracks observed. The dials, switches and controls are all present, with an Alpine CD/FM stereo installed. The leather centre console is in good condition and again free from rips or tears. The rears seats are in decent condition. The vinyl trim behind the rear seats will need to be refitted, along with a few other interior panels including the door cards and door release mechanism. The car will also need its carpets to be re-fitted.
The bodywork is solid, and with a considerable effort carried out by its current custodian to ensure this, any new owner will be very pleased indeed. When the vendor bought the car, it was generally rot-free and well presented, but as Merak owners can testify, the floor pan sections under the twin fuel tanks are notorious for corrosion. Those areas have been subject to new metal. At the same time other areas of the floor pan, as well as the inner sills, were replaced. Any other treatment to the metalwork that needed to be done was also carried out.
The panel gaps are as good as you could hope for on an Italian sports car, and might actually be considered a better fit considering its renovation. The body is free from dents and the panels all appear to be straight. The passenger doors are hinged and open freely, but obviously need finishing. All doors show no signs of rust. The engine cover and front luggage lid are not currently fixed to the car but are in very good condition. The underside, front and rear valance, sills and arches are in good condition, and as previously described, the notoriously rot-prone box-sections around the fuel tanks have been completely replaced too. The engine compartment and suspension mounts are solid with no signs of corrosion evident. The front luggage area appears to be solid too. The floor pan has received some metal fabrication, most noticeably carried out under the passenger seat, but the owner was keen to point out that prior to the restoration the car was in a very presentable state.
The paint finish is of a high standard, and while not its original hue, it suits the lines of the car nicely and highlights the pert styling and proportions of the car. The paintwork displays a decent lustre, with no notable issues with overspray on the body and no obvious signs of poor paint reaction. Overspray has lightly coated some of the undersides and but it will clean up with no issues. No stone chips were observed, but there might be the odd small storage blemish here and there.
With the exception of the windscreen, the car was not fitted with glass, all of which comes with the car. The windscreen is in good order, with some signs of laminate damage evident. The owner has gone to great lengths to find the correct trim and fittings for the Merak, which includes the NOS rubber trims for the doors. All of the trim comes with the car and are all labelled in plastic bags, with the exception of the badges. Luckily, the owner can put the buyer in contact with people who have these. The chrome bumpers also come with the car and are said to be in decent condition with no significant corrosion or damage. The Campagnolo alloys are in good condition with no signs of wear or damage, the Dunlop SP tyres are likely to be over 15 years old but have a good tread with no signs of cracks of the walls.
Mechanically the car was said to run well when he first bought the car. However, following an issue with the water pump, he decided to send the 3-litre engine to a specialist for a top-end rebuild. This included a water pump refurb with new seals, replacing the original sodium valves with stainless steel items, various engine/exhaust gaskets and a new master clutch cylinder. The suspension has also been completely reconditioned, which also includes replaced rear shock absorbers and bushes and comes with the front bushes to be installed. The electrics of the car obviously cannot be tested at the moment, but it’s also worth noting that the car was electrically sound prior to the restoration.
The main question posed is what needs to be done to the car to get it running? The engine would need some exhaust and fuel line connections, a starter motor and a battery, along with engine oil. Obviously, the car will need some level of fettling too but mechanically everything is in place and ready to go.
This sparkling Merak SS can best be described as a giant Meccano kit, simply waiting to be unwrapped for reassembling. The Merak has been described by the owner as 99% complete. Most of the trim will be sold with the car, the interior is complete, the rot has been replaced with good metal and the engine has seen a rebuild. Basically, all the things that needed attention have been resolved. The owner has been using reputable specialist Bill McGrath for advice and parts, so the car has been gradually nursed back into health by the best means possible. All it needs are the finishing touches needed to complete and the glory is all yours.
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1979 Maserati Merak SS
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