I posted this on the other Maserati UK forum, which may be a rough guide to price/value. My limited experience of auctions suggests that for anything short of a blue-chip collectors' car (which the Merak is not yet), auction prices are about 20-25% below retail value given the risk of buying at auction.
http://www.historics.co.uk/previous-auctions/22nd-october-2011/1982-maserati-merak-ss.aspx
Sold for 21840, 10% commission each end, so just under 24,500 to buyer and seller got just under 19.5k
Anyone know the car and the condition? Odd wheels. Photos suggest time at Bill McGrath's, and says it was refurbed there (in 1988!). Mentions recent 4k on engine, which sounds like top-end rebuild at 'specialist'. I've seen this advertised for a while and didn't seem that convincing, but happy to be corrected by someone who's seen it in the flesh.
Ones like this seemed to go for 15k at auctions 3 or 4 years ago
For when the page expires:
Registration: TBC Chassis Number: AM122A583 Engine Number: AM122A583 Odometer reading: 42702
Estimate: £26,000-£32,000 Hammer: Sold Plus Commission: £21,840
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 backseat 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. Late Merak SS were bestowed with the interior and dash of the Maserati Bora. This rare righthand drive Merak SS is one of the last to be manufactured, finished in the classic Italian red with tan leather interior.
This car has only covered 42,700 miles from new with 40,000 of them completed before 1988, substantiated by the history file and old MoT's which come with the car. Throughout the history of this car it has been very well maintained including a major overhaul in 1988 by Bill Mcgrath Maserati Specialists. Recently the car has resided in a private collection and the vendor has just had the engine checked by a specialist resulting in a bill of over £4,000 to make sure that the car is running and driving well. It is supplied with a V5C registration form, a MoT test certificate, the original hand book and service book, old MoT test certificates and a history file containing invoices and bills. A rare opportunity to buy a much sought after righthand drive classic Maserati.
