Wish you a Merak Christmas

[Fubar]

Hello forum.

Whilst devouring Christmas lunch yesterday I had an epiphany (which may have been alcohol induced). As a TVR owner for the past 25+ years ive been getting itchy feet but couldnt decide what to trade up to. Then deep into the second bottle of wine i remembered, as a 13 year old, the car i promised myself ‘one day’. A Merak SS.

So, my current TVR will be going up for sale in the New Year, then the search can begin. Im here for advice and suggestions. I ‘think’ im after a late RHD car but thats only because "later car must be better" but i have no real knowledge on the subject. Where are the best places to search? Theres a few on C&C but where else should i be looking? Not adverse to buying from a respected indie, but similarly from an enthusiast. Id like the car inspected by a recommended agent/engineer, so suggestions for that person welcomed. From the bery small numbers currently available there seems to be quite a difference in prices.

Any other forums to search? I was an original Pistonheader (even pre date that with Petrol Ted) but rarely go there these days. Im in a few Facebook groups for my other cars but Maserati seems to have a very small footprint there.

Nick

 

[P5Nij]

Welcome Nick, you've landed in the right place .

I'm certainly no expert but have kept an eye on Meraks that come up for sale in the UK for quite a while, one or two keep popping up regularly but of the two currently on carandclassic I'd be tempted by the late red one if I had the funds, I recognise the reg' number form somewhere and am sure I've seen it before....

1981 Maserati Merak SS 3.0 V6 For Sale

Find your dream classic car from over 10,000 private adverts plus many more trade adverts on Europe's No 1 classic cars site. 100% F...

www.carandclassic.co.uk

Being a late RHD SS it has the non Citroen dash, pedals etc and looks like a good example. A good book to have if you don't already have it is Marc Sonnery's 'Maserati - The Citroen years' which gives a good grounding of the Merak, the Brooklands road test book on Maseratis from 1971 to 1982 is worth a look too, as is the Osprey book on the Bora and Merak which pops up on Amazon and ebay occasionally.

Edited to add - actually the yellow '75 Merak on C&C has the same UK market dash.

 

[philw696]

Wow that one looks Stunning and in my old home town and I never saw that when living there.
Uber Cool looking for sure.

 

[Fubar]

Welcome Nick, you've landed in the right place .

I'm certainly no expert but have kept an eye on Meraks that come up for sale in the UK for quite a while, one or two keep popping up regularly but of the two currently on carandclassic I'd be tempted by the late red one if I had the funds, I recognise the reg' number form somewhere and am sure I've seen it before....

1981 Maserati Merak SS 3.0 V6 For Sale

Find your dream classic car from over 10,000 private adverts plus many more trade adverts on Europe's No 1 classic cars site. 100% F...

www.carandclassic.co.uk

Being a late RHD SS it has the non Citroen dash, pedals etc and looks like a good example. A good book to have if you don't already have it is Marc Sonnery's 'Maserati - The Citroen years' which gives a good grounding of the Merak, the Brooklands road test book on Maseratis from 1971 to 1982 is worth a look too, as is the Osprey book on the Bora and Merak which pops up on Amazon and ebay occasionally.

Edited to add - actually the yellow '75 Merak on C&C has the same UK market dash.

Thank you. Obviously these two are the only (uk rhd) ones I've looked at. I was initially drawn to the yellow one as my previous Cerbera was the same hue, but the red one does look lovely, if a little more leggy. Having said that, I'm not scared of miles on a car. In a way makes it easier to use it than worry how driving it may affect value

 

[allandwf]

I owned a Merak , rhd, for a few years. I'll message with the details and foibles etc in the next day or two.

 

[Fubar]

I owned a Merak , rhd, for a few years. I'll message with the details and foibles etc in the next day or two.

Perfect, thank you

 

[rs48635]

speak with Mcgrath - they look after many cars from the Tridentastic period. Have admired several fossils brought back to life in their shop.

Here's one (they) prepared earlier https://www.mcgrathmaserati.co.uk/cars-for-sale/1981-maserati-merak-ss/

 

[P5Nij]

This is one of the books I mentioned, well worth a punt....

Maserati Cars Performance Portfolio 1971-1982 (Brooklands Books Road Test Series): Amazon.co.uk: R.M. Clarke, R.M. Clarke: 9781855206007: Books

Buy Maserati Cars Performance Portfolio 1971-1982 (Brooklands Books Road Test Series) illustrated edition by R.M. Clarke, R.M. Clarke (ISBN: 9781855206007) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

The Osprey book is currently on ebay for just over £100 but can be bought a lot cheaper if you keep your eyes open.

I took these at the NEC a few years ago, the Merak is such a great looking car from every angle....

 

[Ewan]

McGrath is your go-to place for info and advice. Andy may even know of club members that might be thinking of selling. Start there.

 

[Fubar]

This is one of the books I mentioned, well worth a punt....

Maserati Cars Performance Portfolio 1971-1982 (Brooklands Books Road Test Series): Amazon.co.uk: R.M. Clarke, R.M. Clarke: 9781855206007: Books

Buy Maserati Cars Performance Portfolio 1971-1982 (Brooklands Books Road Test Series) illustrated edition by R.M. Clarke, R.M. Clarke (ISBN: 9781855206007) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

Purchased

 

[Fubar]

McGrath is your go-to place for info and advice. Andy may even know of club members that might be thinking of selling. Start there.

Seems to be the way forward, thank you

 

[P5Nij]

Keep us posted on your search - some of us need to live vicariously from time to time! A couple of years ago I came dangerously close to borrowing enough dough to buy something like a Merak, Urraco or Dino 308GT4, but bottled it at the last minute .

 

[Ewan]

Of those three, I’d go for the Lambo - a well sorted one will be heaps more reliable and useable than an equivalent Merak.

 

[P5Nij]

Of those three, I’d go for the Lambo - a well sorted one will be heaps more reliable and useable than an equivalent Merak.

As usual you're right Ewan, but I still fancy all three of them!

 

[Nibby]

Welcome Nick, you've landed in the right place .

I'm certainly no expert but have kept an eye on Meraks that come up for sale in the UK for quite a while, one or two keep popping up regularly but of the two currently on carandclassic I'd be tempted by the late red one if I had the funds, I recognise the reg' number form somewhere and am sure I've seen it before....

1981 Maserati Merak SS 3.0 V6 For Sale

Find your dream classic car from over 10,000 private adverts plus many more trade adverts on Europe's No 1 classic cars site. 100% F...

www.carandclassic.co.uk

Being a late RHD SS it has the non Citroen dash, pedals etc and looks like a good example. A good book to have if you don't already have it is Marc Sonnery's 'Maserati - The Citroen years' which gives a good grounding of the Merak, the Brooklands road test book on Maseratis from 1971 to 1982 is worth a look too, as is the Osprey book on the Bora and Merak which pops up on Amazon and ebay occasionally.

Edited to add - actually the yellow '75 Merak on C&C has the same UK market dash.

Lovely car P5Nij, at this point miles on the odometer become less important and condition is priority.

 

[Fubar]

This is one of the books I mentioned, well worth a punt....

Maserati Cars Performance Portfolio 1971-1982 (Brooklands Books Road Test Series): Amazon.co.uk: R.M. Clarke, R.M. Clarke: 9781855206007: Books

Buy Maserati Cars Performance Portfolio 1971-1982 (Brooklands Books Road Test Series) illustrated edition by R.M. Clarke, R.M. Clarke (ISBN: 9781855206007) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

The Osprey book is currently on ebay for just over £100 but can be bought a lot cheaper if you keep your eyes open.

I took these at the NEC a few years ago, the Merak is such a great looking car from every angle....

View attachment 94730

View attachment 94731

The book arrived today, which got me thinking. This journey isnt new. Ive been after a Merak for years but never had enough brave pills. So i rummaged through my garage and unearthed a hardback copy of the Osprey book. So tonight I will be a bookworm.

 

[zagatoes30]

Always loved the baby sportscars, Merak, Urracco and 308 Dino but for me the pen of Gandini wins out with the Dino just pipping the Urracco but I would be happy with either

 

[P5Nij]

Always loved the baby sportscars, Merak, Urracco and 308 Dino but for me the pen of Gandini wins out with the Dino just pipping the Urracco but I would be happy with either

The irony being that Gandini penned them both, his 1973 308GT4 design being a tweaked version of this, the very first Urraco prototype which was rejected by Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1970....







The first clay model and prototype 308GT4....

 

[Alan Surrey]

1977ish. Manchester car show. Merak.
That's where it started for me.
Wishing you every success with your search Nick and many miles of happy motoring to come.
Please keep us up to date with progress.
Merak happy new year.

 

[Cyclone1]

Hello forum.

Whilst devouring Christmas lunch yesterday I had an epiphany (which may have been alcohol induced). As a TVR owner for the past 25+ years ive been getting itchy feet but couldnt decide what to trade up to. Then deep into the second bottle of wine i remembered, as a 13 year old, the car i promised myself ‘one day’. A Merak SS.

So, my current TVR will be going up for sale in the New Year, then the search can begin. Im here for advice and suggestions. I ‘think’ im after a late RHD car but thats only because "later car must be better" but i have no real knowledge on the subject. Where are the best places to search? Theres a few on C&C but where else should i be looking? Not adverse to buying from a respected indie, but similarly from an enthusiast. Id like the car inspected by a recommended agent/engineer, so suggestions for that person welcomed. From the bery small numbers currently available there seems to be quite a difference in prices.

Any other forums to search? I was an original Pistonheader (even pre date that with Petrol Ted) but rarely go there these days. Im in a few Facebook groups for my other cars but Maserati seems to have a very small footprint there.

Nick

Hi Nick, Welcome to the Forum! Hope you are well. Quite a few ex TVR owners on here. I loved both my TVR’s and mainly enjoyed my time on the TVR / Cerbera section of PH.

Great choice on the Merak and good luck with the search.

Jules.