1981 Maserati Merak SS

This late-model Merak SS is finished in the attractive shade of Rosso Maserati (Maserati red, how creative!) over a Nero leather interior with Rosso inserts, and we think it looks the business. They really don’t make them like they used to…

If the excellent specification wasn’t enough to tempt you, this is also one of only 300 RHD Merak SS’ made, and an original UK-supplied car, according to our vendor.

Subject to an extensive restoration during the early 1990s amounting to well in excess of £28,000 worth of work and benefitting from continued fettling, care and maintenance in the years since, this is a fantastic (and exceedingly rare) example of a RHD Merak.

During this restoration, the car received significant attention to the bodywork including a full glass-out respray, extensive corrosion remedial and preventative works, an engine and chassis overhaul, and various other miscellaneous works, performed largely by Autoskil in Chiddingfold, Surrey.

In the years since, the car has - among other items - been serviced, received a gearbox replacement and top-end rebuild, carburettor replacement and servicing, new shock absorbers and other suspension components and more, with invoices all available to view below.

Purchased by our vendor - a renowned supercar and specialist vehicle dealer and collector in the West of England - as part of a large collection, this Merak SS has covered less than 10 miles since it came into their care, spending the majority of its time as a thoroughly-deserving showroom centrepiece.

With that in mind, the car has been recently given a light recommissioning, with the following work undertaken:

- Rocker covers removed, bead-blasted and refurbished

- A full wiring system check-over with any faults rectified

- Compression test - showing a healthy reading

- New spark plugs

- Fitment of a new battery

- All four wheels refurbished

- Various other minor mechanical parts replaced, all using genuine parts from Magrath Maserati.

Now, fresh from some light mechanical work and with a history folder that would make the national archives blush, this Merak SS is looking for a new home - could it be with you?

Arresting, striking and stylish… all words that could be used to describe the Merak with its wedge-shaped profile and classic flying buttresses - they really don’t make them like they used to!

Having been subject to a full glass-out respray, extensive bodyworks and significant amounts of welding during the aforementioned 1990s restoration, the shell of this example is in wonderful condition throughout, and presents fantastically.

As far as we can see, there are no dents, dings, scrapes or scuffs visible to the bodywork, and certainly no sign of any impact damage, with all of the panel gaps looking good and even to our eye.

There is also - mercifully - no signs of any bubbling paint or surface corrosion that we can see on the body, which is always good news and shows the level of care (and minimal use) that the car has seen in recent years.

Being super picky - as we always try to be - there are a couple of chips and marks in the Rosso Maserati paintwork, most notably on the rear edges of the arches (the front edges of the side skirts) and on the front bumper ‘lip’ though, again, this is very minimal and you need to be looking hard to see them.

The chrome detailing, badges and window trims are all present and correct, and wear a light age-related patina with some minor pitting, but still polish up very well indeed.

As with the bodywork and paint, the interior also presents fantastically well for its age, and has clearly been the recipient of plenty of care and attention during its lifetime.

The standard Nero leather interior has been broken up well by the Rosso stripes to the seats, and both of the front seats present in excellent condition, with no rips, tears, scuffs or heavy wear, showing only a couple of small indentations from light use.

The door cards, inner door covers and carpets are all in a similar condition, with only one or two light marks visible, though the carpet over-mats would likely benefit from an extensive steam cleaning to bring them back to their best.

Up ahead, the dashboard is in good order but shows some typical patina on the chrome and switchgear, along with signs of wear around the outside edges and to the high-traffic areas. There is also a switch missing from the centre console, and the standard radio has been upgraded to a more modern JVC unit.

In the rear, the two small bucket-style seats look to have been barely used, though this is hardly surprising, given that only the smallest children can fit back there, and most owners use the space for luggage instead.

Speaking of luggage, the front luggage compartment is also in good order, though there are a few patches of wear visible to the floor of the compartment.

Finally, there are no reported faults with any of the systems, switches or dials inside the car.

Subject to a recent recommissioning along with a major rebuild in the 90s, this 3.0-litre naturally aspirated V6 engine is in full running order, and the vendor reports the car drives well with no known issues or untoward behaviours.

The story is very much the same here at The Market, though it would seem that the engine would benefit from some more regular use, and perhaps a light carburettor tune-up as it does run slightly rough, likely down to lack of use rather than any more serious issues.

The engine bay itself is in great shape, whilst the block and ancillaries also present well with no obvious fluid or oil leaks, misting or other issues.

Underneath, the chassis is in excellent condition, and has evidently been extensively coated with corrosion inhibitor - a must for any classic Italian car of the era. As a result, there is very little in the way of wear under here, though there are a couple of areas of flaking paint and - what appear to be - surface corrosion, but nothing that sets off any alarm bells.

The most recent MoT exam - dated 16 July 2021 - shows a clean pass with no advisory items, after a few minor issues (largely related to wipers, lights and the braking system) were addressed following the initial 13 July examination.

If you’re a fan of a car with some history behind it, then this is just the ticket for you.

With a selection of paperwork that would make even the most experienced historian giddy, the history folder for this Merak SS spans two boxes of documentation, and includes numerous photographs of the car during the restoration process.

Of course, all of this wonderful history is photographed and available for your viewing pleasure below, but we’ve picked out a few highlights for you:

- All of the quotes, invoices and correspondence from the extensive restoration during the 1990s, breaking down the work done, the cost of the work (over £28,000 - around £65,000 in today’s money) and the various observations of the mechanics working on the project.

- Invoice for carburettor servicing in 2008 at a cost of £459

- Gearbox replacement and engine head work in 1996 at a cost of £4,300

- Rear brake calliper replacement work in 2011 at a cost of £1,847

- Clutch replacement kit invoices and fitting

Alongside the above, there are also numerous MoT certificates, old tax discs, copies of manuals and various other paperwork for sundry items and miscellaneous works.

The V5 is present, showing nine former keepers.

Interestingly, the HPI report shows a marker for the car being ‘imported’ yet the vendor states (along with the history) that this is a UK-delivered car, and is unsure as to why the HPI marker has been flagged up.

From the striking silhouette with flying buttresses, to the aggressive front-end styling, typically outrageous-looking interior and - of course - that rumbling V6 soundtrack, the Merak is 80’s six-cylinder excess personified, and is all the better for it.

For those of you not content with an ordinary Merak, this 1-of-1000 SS, which is also 1-of-300 in RHD, is a fantastic example of an exceedingly rare variant of the marque, presented in excellent condition throughout and benefitting from a through, in-depth restoration in the past, along with a recent recommissioning.

Given the car’s condition, outstanding history and mechanical health, we estimate this wonderful piece of classic Italian engineering to fetch in the region of £46,000 - £55,000. Try and find another in this condition and specification!

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car is located at our headquarters near Abingdon; we are open weekdays between 9am-5pm, so to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.