As if the Ghibli Berlinetta wasn't enough of a masterstroke for Maserati to plant itself front and centre in the prestigious Gran Turismo market, the Ghibli Spyder had the media and VIPs literally swooning over it when launched at the 1968 Turin salon.

It deserved the attention because Giugiaro his adaptation of his Berlinetta design for Ghia into the open-top design was oh so right. A slight upsweep just behind the doors was a harmonious way to give its profile a pleasing flow. At the same time, the soft top disappeared completely under a lift-up panel, thus avoiding the unsightly folded top ugliness of so many of its rivals. The soft top was well made, easy to drop or raise, and its structure did not attempt to chop a finger or three off in the process—typical of soft tops of that era. Despite the loss of height the trunk remained quite deep and retained its vast width and length.

Open top versions of handsome designs often lose their grace and become awkward. But no; the Spyder looks good from any angle. When the top is up, it looks exquisite, like an elegant hat or a Savile Row suit. Most cars were supplied to the US market, where it was wholeheartedly embraced. Only a few went to Europe. Consider however as an example that of 97 Ghiblis sold to France, 4,7-litre and SS, only a single one was a Spyder. The Uk got just four right-hand drive Spyders. If you get the impression that they were rare, you are correct because only 125 Spyders were ever built. About 10 times less than standard Ghiblis. A hardtop was available, as an option but it remained quite rare as less than a third of the cars were ordered with it. Surprising as it may be their owners either lived in a year-round warm climate or had other cars for winter. Small holes on each side behind the tonneau cover allow for the anchoring of the hardtop, its pegs locking into them. With the hardtop not fitted small chrome lids plugged them.
The first Spyders did not have any particular strengthening, but soon some extra bracing was put in place in the sills and on the chassis near the transmission.

Of the 125 built between 1969 - 1971, only the last 45 were 4.9-litre SS Spyders. The remaining specifications are, of course, the same as the Berlinetta. In terms of inspection, you first need to find one available which takes some searching because owners tend to love them and hang on to them. Demand tends to exceed offer, but it is not hopeless. One other thing: quite a few Ghiblis born as Berlinettas were cut into Spyders, mostly in the US. They are obviously no longer original, and the quality of these conversions varies greatly and tend to have been done on cars that were in poor shape to start with. They are, of course, far less expensive than real Spyders. Campana Carrozzeria in Modena cut a few cars themselves.

Movies using Ghibli Spyders numbered about a dozen but were all mediocre and very forgettable Italian, or American B movies such as Wild thing (1972) and you do not need or want to see Il Presidente del Borgorosso football club (1970). The exception is Lady ice (1973). It is a decent film with Donald Sutherland as an insurance investigator romancing the stunning Jennifer O'Neill playing a jewel thief driving a blue Ghibli Spyder through an amazing traffic-free Miami.

Engine
V8, light-alloy block
4719 cc, 4930 cc for Ghibli SS
Power output: 330 hp; 335 hp for Ghibli SS

Body
Two-door, two-seater Spyder, in steel.
Designed by Ghia

Performance
280 kph

The Ferrari 365GTS/4 "Daytona" Spyder is the obvious rival, built-in precisely the same quantity. There was nothing in England, Germany or even Italy to compare with those two as the Aston Martin V8 Volante only appeared later in 1978. The AC (Frua) 428 saw a production of only 29 Spyders and open-top offerings from Iso and Monteverdi remained at the prototype stage. Of course, the Jaguar E Type V12 and Chevrolet Corvette roadsters should be mentioned, but their clients and that of the Modenese cars were fundamentally different people.

A quick perusal of the market in February 2020 revealed just one Spyder for sale in Austria at Euro 745.000 and two cut cars in Belgium and Holland. There are, in fact, half a dozen real Spyders on the market. However, since the Ghibli Spyder is, apart of the 5000GT the most expensive Maserati classic GT car, it stands to reason that they are currently facing the biggest depreciation and disagreement in terms of market value perception between owners and potential buyers. Hence sales are currently rare. One incomplete car was shown at the 2020 Retromobile by a Spanish dealer. In May 2019 RM Sotheby's failed to sell an unrestored Italian registered US delivery Ghibli Spyder converted from automatic to 5 speed at its Villa Erba lake Como auction. But sold the same car in its London auction 5 months later for GBP 398.750 (Euro 478.647). Good ones with no stories have been known to reach Euro 900K, but that was during the peak of the market. In such rarefied transactions, the price will be what is negotiated and may vary significantly from one purchase to another. Anyone buying a Ghibli Spyder will have the means to address any issues it may have but the days of bargains are over since the 1990s, the market is too international to hope for any cheap ones to appear out of the blue.

We are aware that the valuation of this car is very subjective and depends on many criteria. That is why auctions are used as a barometer to sense where the market is moving. However, premium restored or preserved classic Maseratis change ownership through private sales ( and seldom in an auction). As a result, rarely do we discover the price for an off-market transaction.

The appeal of a Ghibli Spyder is so compelling that wanting one is obvious. If you can afford one and find one then buy it and keep it, it will be a highlight of your collection. And it will cost you at least twice less than a "Daytona Spyder" as they tend to change hands at auction at well over two million Euros.

Initial texts by Marc Sonnery.