Introduction to Maserati
Maserati Road Cars
Indy
Years of production: 1969-1975 Numbers produced: 1104 Engine: 90° V8; 4.1L, 4.7L & 4.9L; 260, 290 & 300 hp
The Maserati Indy, officially presented at the Geneva motorshow in 1969, was a tribute to the two consecutive victories of the Maserati 8CTF race cars in the famous 500 miles race at the Indianapolis speedway in 1939 and 1940. This new car was designed by Vignale and could be seen as a model in between the Ghibli and the Mexico. The roof line was higher compared to the Ghibli in order to offer space for the rear passengers. Mechanicals were borrowed from the Ghibli and traditional Maserati: 90° V8 engine with four overhead camshafts, semi-monocoque structure with front auxiliary frame, independent double wishbone front suspensions and a rigid rear axle with leaf springs. In 1973 the Indy adopted the brake system from Citroën, who was the new owner of Maserati.
Bora
Years of production: 1971-1978 Numbers produced: 530 Engine: 90° V8, 4.7L & 4.9L, 310 & 320 hp
The Bora was a milestone in Maserati’s history: It was the first Maserati road car with a central mounted engine - engineer Guilio Alfieri gained much experience with the central engined Birdcage Tipo 63-65 race cars - and it was the first car which has been developed under full Citroën ownership. The engine was the well-known V8, first in 4.7L and later also in 4.9L configuration, while its beautiful fastback body was another masterpiece from Giorgetto Giugiaro. The Bora was equipped with Citroën’s complex hydraulic system, which was used for the brakes, the opening of the headlights, the adjustment for the driver’s seat and the pedals. Sales of the Bora suffered from the oil-crisis in the midseventies, while racing plans were crossed due to homologation problems.
Maserati Academy
26
