Maserati Merak SS 1977 - World Of Classic Cars -

Maserati Merak SS 1977

The Maserati Merak was introduced in 1972, essentially a lighter version of the Maserati Bora. It substituted an all new Maserati designed quad-cam three litre V6 motor for the Bora's larger V8; resulting not only in a lower cost, but with room for a small back seat and better handling due to lower weight and a better front/rear weight distribution. Aesthetically, the Merak differed from the otherwise very similar Bora; mainly in sporting open flying buttresses instead of the Bora's fully glassed rear, the mid-engine Merak used the Bora bodyshell, but the extra space offered by the smaller engine was used to carve out a second row of seats, suitable for children or very small adults. As with the Bora, certain Citroën hydraulic systems were used in the Merak such as the brakes, clutch and headlight pods. In 1976 Maserati introduced the more powerful and lighter Maserati Merak SS.  Production of the SS stopped in 1982. Its engine produced 15% more power, raising horsepower to 220hp and weight was reduced by 152kg to 1,400kg; resulting in a top speed of 152mph.