Maserati Merak

When Maserati was under the stewardship of Citroën, engineers took the body of the Ital-designed Bora and gave it the same engine as in the SM. Whilst the Merak could be specced with a 2.0 litre engine, most (like this very car) came with a 3.0 litre V6.

In total 1830 Meraks were built, in two distinct phases, with just 139 made in 1976 (the year of first registration for this particular car). Of the total, only 231 were officially imported into the UK.

The Merak is a proper 2+2, notwithstanding the mid-engined layout. Whilst underneath, Citroën endeavoured to provide a cut-price model of the Bora, to deal with the growing energy crisis of the 70's, with the move from a V8 to a V6, parts sharing with the rest of the Citroën model lines inclduing the dashboard, and replacing the tubular chassis with a steel monocoque, the interior was still lavishly lined in leather. The performance may have been lacking, but for the sharp 'Man about Town', it represented a premium quality steed.

The SS version, released in late '75, had 220 bhp and could run all the way to 152 mph.