1972 Maserati Bora 4 7

19th Jun, 2024 13:00
Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire

https://www.handh.co.uk/auction/lot/l...

Maserati's first mid-engine sports car
Penned by the great Giorgetto Giugiaro, ‘Designer of the Century’
UK, right-hand drive example, believed 1 of just 42 made
Current ownership for over 40 years
35,925 recorded and credible miles displayed
Previously driven by Sir Stirling Moss OBE
For exotic, head-turning, heart-stoppingly gorgeous Italian supercars, the early 1970s were the golden years. At that time, the automotive rule book had been thrown in the bin and thus began a plethora of designs that still look sharp today. The Lamborghini Countach, De Tomaso Pantera, Lancia Stratos and Ferrari 365 GT4 BB and all of those memorable heavily raked wedge-shaped concept cars started rolling out of dirty and chaotic southern European factories. The common link? Most were mid-engined in the endeavour to bring the race car experience to the customer out on the public roads. Post Miura, this was the legacy that saw the supercar taken to the next level.

Introduced at the 1971 Geneva Salon, the Bora was Maserati's first and - MC12 aside - only mid-engined supercar. Funded by parent Citroen its menacing Giorgetto Giugiaro penned silhouette clothed a sophisticated steel monocoque chassis equipped with all-round double-wishbone independent suspension and the French manufacturer's latest generation hydraulic hardware. Thus, able to boast power-assistance for its rack and pinion steering, four-wheel disc brakes, retractable headlights, single-plate clutch and adjustable pedal box, the Bora was a world away from its Lamborghini Miura rival in terms of refinement. Cradled by a dedicated subframe, its quad twin-choke Weber DCNF fed 4719cc DOHC V8 engine was mated to a ZF 5-speed DS-25/2 transaxle (as used by the Ford GT40). Credited with 310bhp and 339lbft of torque, the Bora was reputedly capable of 168mph and 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds. Praised by the contemporary motoring press for their verve and composure, a mere 289 4.7litre Boras are thought to have left the Trident factory (though, apparently just 27 of those were to right-hand drive specification)

More information to follow:

For more information, please contact:
James McWilliam
[email protected]