On the 60th anniversary of the Ghibli’s debut at the Turin Motor Show, Maserati celebrates one of the icons of “Italian Gran Turismo” by certifying, through its Maserati Classiche programme, a 1970 Ghibli SS Coupé owned by the Maserati family.
Modena, 3 November 2026 – An extraordinary 1970 Maserati Ghibli SS Coupé, preserved by the Maserati family and now certified by the Maserati Classiche programme, takes centre stage in the celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the Ghibli, one of the most fascinating and iconic models in the Trident’s history.
Produced on 25 November 1970 for the Italian market, the Ghibli SS Coupé—chassis no. AM115/49*1948*—stands out for its elegant Ghia-designed body and 2+2 seating configuration. Originally finished in Oro Longchamps, it now sports Giallo Fly paintwork paired with its original black leather interior. Beneath the long bonnet lies a powerful 4.9-litre, 335-hp V8, fed by carburettors and paired with a ZF five-speed manual transmission, allowing the car to reach 174 mph. A perfect balance of refinement and sportiness, it continues to embody Maserati’s vision of Italian Gran Turismo.
Cristiano Bolzoni, Head of Maserati Classiche, stated:
“Certifying this iconic Ghibli SS highlights our bond with the Maserati family and Maserati Classiche’s expertise in safeguarding our heritage. This vehicle, one of the most fascinating expressions of Italian Gran Turismo, connects our origins with the future and celebrates the relationships we have built with those who carry forward the memory of our founders. The intersection of automotive and family history lies at the heart of Maserati Classiche’s mission. Modena continues to bring this history to life through the Collezione Maserati Umberto Panini, a place where memory and passion bring generations of enthusiasts closer to the Trident’s heritage.”
“Through technical expertise, research, and rigorous analysis of each vehicle,” Bolzoni continued, “our certification work attests to the vehicle’s authenticity and contributes to safeguarding the legacy of know-how, expert craftsmanship, and automotive culture that makes each one unique. Certifying means ensuring the continuity of this heritage, helping owners and collectors pass it down to future generations and keeping a bond alive that continues to evolve.”
Maserati Ghibli: the origins of an icon
The certification of this remarkable car takes on even greater significance as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Ghibli, which was first unveiled on 4 November 1966, at the Turin Motor Show.
Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro for Carrozzeria Ghia, the new coupé immediately made an impression with its bold proportions, low and sleek lines, and ability to combine performance, comfort, and refinement. This philosophy continues to live on six decades later in the Maserati GranTurismo, a contemporary expression of the Trident’s distinctive approach to driving pleasure.
The Ghibli’s story began in 1966, when its debut in Turin marked a turning point in the Modena-based brand’s design language. During a period of extraordinary creativity in the Italian automotive industry, Giorgetto Giugiaro created a coupé with an unmistakable personality, featuring a long, low bonnet, a sleek front end with pop-up headlights, and a clean, elegant fastback rear. With its perfectly balanced proportions, the bodywork conveyed a sophisticated sportiness that was free of excess, setting a new benchmark for automotive design.
The name itself evoked speed and energy: Ghibli, the hot wind of the North African desert, continued Maserati’s tradition of naming some of its models after winds. Beneath its sculpted lines lay sophisticated, motorsport-derived mechanicals, designed to deliver outstanding performance without compromising driving pleasure or long-distance comfort. The use of dry-sump lubrication allowed the V8 to be mounted particularly low, helping define the body’s sleek proportions. It was an immediate success. Following the Coupé’s commercial debut in 1967, the range expanded in 1969 with the striking Spyder, also available with a hardtop. The following year, both body styles received a more powerful 4.9-litre V8, giving rise to the SS variant. The coupé’s appeal soon extended beyond Italy, winning over even Henry Ford II, who purchased one and had it displayed in the lobby of Ford’s Product Development Center in Detroit as inspiration for his own designers.
Maserati Ghibli: the celebrations and the journey to the new GranTurismo
The Ghibli’s 60th anniversary celebrations will also bring together the Trident’s international community of enthusiasts. In particular, the Maserati Owners Club Italy will mark the occasion with a visit to Maserati’s headquarters in Modena, a symbol of a legacy that continues to unite generations of owners, collectors, and brand enthusiasts.
Thanks to the contribution of the Maserati Owners Club Italy, the celebrations will feature the presence of vehicles of particular historical and collector interest: a rare Ghibli Spyder belonging to the Collezione Umberto Panini, the armoured Quattroporte III already in use at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Spadolini), the last Quattroporte III delivered in Italy, a Quattroporte III in the special “Royale” version, and a Ghibli II in the special “Primatist” edition.
3 November also holds special significance in Maserati’s history. Exactly ten years after the Ghibli’s debut, on 3 November 1976, the Quattroporte III, project AM330, was unveiled at the Turin Motor Show. Destined to become one of the brand’s most prestigious saloons, it would eventually be used by the Italian Presidency. Two very different automobiles, both embodying an unmistakably Italian vision of elegance, performance, and exclusivity. The anniversary also coincides with the 30th anniversary of the world record in the powerboat category set by Guido Cappellini on 4 November 1996, aboard the Primatist vessel, powered by a Maserati engine. The Ghibli II “Primatist,” dedicated to that achievement in 1997 and produced in just 36 examples, will also be present at the celebrations.
If the 1966 Ghibli helped redefine the concept of “Italian Gran Turismo,” the New GranTurismo builds on that legacy with technologies and solutions designed for contemporary mobility. Six decades of automotive evolution separate the two, yet they share the same ambition: to create cars that captivate at first sight, deliver outstanding performance, and transform every journey into an unforgettable experience. Harmonious proportions, a long bonnet, a cabin designed to offer exceptional comfort, and an instantly recognisable design language form the common thread linking the two eras. Today, this philosophy lives on in a GranTurismo range that combines Italian design with cutting-edge technology and a choice of internal combustion and electric powertrains.
Maserati Classiche, custodians of an extraordinary legacy
The certification of the Ghibli SS highlights the importance of Maserati Classiche, the programme established in Modena in 2021 to preserve and promote the historic vehicles of the Motor Valley’s longest-standing Brand. Today, the division is part of BOTTEGAFUORISERIE, the project that safeguards the Trident’s heritage and carries it into the future through technical expertise and Modenese craftsmanship. This heritage is protected on several fronts, from the work of the Officine Classiche, dedicated to the certification of historic models, to the preservation of archives and museum spaces, such as the Collezione Maserati Umberto Panini in Modena. Together, these efforts make this history tangible and accessible, allowing it to continue to inspire. The centrepiece of the programme is the Certification of Authenticity, overseen by a committee of experts who conduct an in-depth analysis of each vehicle’s technical characteristics, historical documentation, and records in the Maserati archives. The certification applies to automobiles over 20 years old, as well as special models and the Brand’s limited series.
