Merak

Andyk

Andyk

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Yep I do like that. Big fan of Merak. Love the front and really good proportions.
 
urbanmaser

urbanmaser

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2,911
The defininative supercar of the 70's . This was a much more desireable and far prettier than the competion of the era which was namely the Ferrari 308GT4 and the Lamborghini Urraco, both of which however, were quicker. If you were considering a Merak then the SS version would be the one to for. At the time I was considering a Merak but ended up with the 308GT4 which was one of the biggest mistakes I have ever mad in car purchase (see my thread on Sportsmaserati covering 308GT4 ownership)

There is no doubt that this is a very cheap supercar which looks much faster than it really is - a poor man's Bora. Be warned though that they were notoriously unreliable and as with any Maserati buying one of the last where gremlins were more sorted, in my mind would be the route to go. If this one has a full unbroken service history then it may well be worth a look. This is one of those supercars which is in no mans land and just like say a 3200 the cost of restoring one would just not be worth it. I doubt you would ever see a return for your money.
 
conaero

conaero

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34,677
It is nice, but its a bit of a cheap Bora, thats the car to have.

But the Merek, credit where credit is due, it is a very nice car, and if one came up for the right money to restore, I would jump at it.
 
BigFoot

BigFoot

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The Merak came with a 2000cc (a lunger, would avoid) or 3000cc. The 3 Litre SS version had the most power (220bhp).
 
urbanmaser

urbanmaser

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2,911
A Citroen power plant with a Maserati touch...... a bit like what Alfa Romeo have done with the 3.2 V6 in the Brera
 
Andyk

Andyk

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61,363
I just prefer the look of the Merak to the Bora....But you are right about the power plant..How about a transplant with something a bit more yummy...
 
BigFoot

BigFoot

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Guys, you are off the mark here. The engine is 100% Maserati. It's the sole reason Citroen bought Maserati in the first place.

Reading Homework 1: http://www.maserati-alfieri.co.uk/alfieri109.htm
"The Merak utilised a great part of the structure of the chassis of the Bora and the body design was placed once more in the hands of Giugiaro who cleverly maintained the Bora's overall shape; but the new car was powered by a 3-litre V6 directly derived from the Maserati engine already in use in the Citroën SM."

Reading Homework 2: http://www.maserati-alfieri.co.uk/alfieri06rrrrrrrr.htm
"It turns out that back in early 1974, Ing. Alfieri along with his colleagues, decided to execute the exact opposite of what had been done in 1967, when they cut two cylinders from a V8 engine to produce the C.114.V6 prototype engine - later to become the power plant for the Citroen SM.
To achieve a V8 engine based on the Tipo C.114 engine, two cylinders were cut from two C.114.50.30 engines used in the 3-litre Merak."


;)
 
conaero

conaero

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Must admit, I thought the same as Bigfoot, and it appeared in the Citreon SM and was badged Maserati on the cam covers.

The early Meraks also had the SM dash:

mehmet_merak-07a.jpg


...and steering wheel by the looks of it.
 
Last edited:
Andyk

Andyk

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61,363
Conaero said:
Must admit, I thought the same as Bigfoot, and it appeared in the Citreon SM and was badged Maserati on the cam covers.

The early Meraks also had the SM dash:

mehmet_merak-07a.jpg


...and steering wheel by the looks of it.
Click to expand...

Thats lookes well looked after....
 
urbanmaser

urbanmaser

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2,911
As usual I must humble myself and bow to Bigfoot's superior knowledge...........either way it was under powered..........those looks deserved a bit more meat
 
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