The Maserati Merak Buying Guide – The baby Maserati with a French heart

The Maserati Merak brought stunning looks and engaging dynamics to the compact Italian supercar scene in the 1970s.

Thanks in part to Citroen’s takeover and financial backing, Maserati was able to develop a car in the late 1960s that could compete head-on with its Italian rivals in the shape of the range-topping 4.7-litre V8 Bora. What it needed for the new decade was a higher volume entry-level supercar to take on the upcoming Ferrari 308 GT4 and Lamborghini Urraco.

While these 2+2 sports cars used small capacity V8s, the Merak got a modified and enlarged version of the V6 that had been developed for the Citroen SM. With a kerb weight of over 3,000 pounds, the 187bhp power output saw it trailing its rivals in the performance stakes but the engine’s shorter dimensions gave the Merak more useable interior space and it was undoubtedly the best looker of the 2+2 trio. The Merak was intended to be a profit-making volume seller for Maserati and items like the dashboard, switchgear and gearbox had much in common with the SM. Early Meraks used Citroen’s hydropneumatic technology for the pop-up headlights and braking system. It also shared much of its exterior with the Bora, being only noticeably different in the rear where it made do without the extended glass rear window for weight and cost reasons. The rear seats were best reserved for luggage but the added practicality was welcome.

The fully independent suspension setup gave the Merak sure-footed handling and the arrival of the uprated 217bhp SS version in 1975 provided a welcome performance boost. Aside from the higher compression ratio and uprated carbs which provided the additional 30bhp, the SS was also 100 lbs lighter, giving it a far sportier feel around the corners too. With Citroen’s ownership ending in the mid ‘70s and control of Maserati passing to ex-racing driver Alejandro de Tomaso in 1977, most of the hydropneumatic components slowly made way for conventional systems and the Bora dashboard replaced the Citroen unit on most cars. Sales slowed greatly in the latter half of production thanks to the oil crisis and huge increases in fuel prices.

Thanks to the prevailing Italian tax laws at the time which heavily penalised cars with engines larger than 2.0-litres, the 157bhp Merak 2000 GT was introduced in 1977, just like its Ferrari equivalent, the 208 GT4, the downsized engine did the Merak no favours and despite the lower cost and potential fuel savings, sales were slow with a mere 200 cars finding buyers. Production of this mid-engined sports car finally came to an end in 1982, the Biturbo that effectively became the entry-level Maserati may have ultimately offered more power and performance but the Merak signalled the end of an era for the marque.

Maserati Merak Engine and gearbox

Based on the Citroen SM’s 2.7-litre unit, the Merak’s engine was bored out to 3.0-litres and featured a triple weber setup. Exhaust valves are a known weak point and should be replaced if the previous owner hasn’t already done so. Head gaskets can also blow, especially on cars that see very little use.

Blue smoke out the exhaust can indicate worn valve guides, tackling that job will inevitably reveal other issues which will push the costs up. Rebuilds are expensive so it may be best to walk away if the engine is tired or the service book is patchy. The SS variants had bigger carbs and larger valves, the quickest way to tell the difference between the two 3.0-litre models is to check the cam covers. Six bolts for the SS, five for the standard cars.

 The SM-sourced five-speed manual is robust but the usual age-related issues do crop up. Synchros can wear out and the SS had a hydraulically activated clutch which can develop issues over time but can be sorted out for a reasonable sum. A larger clutch was fitted to cars from 1976-on which helped increase replacement intervals.

Maserati Merak Suspension and Brakes

The suspension setup is all-independent and has proven to be durable over the years, the usual issues such as worn bushes, shocks and springs do crop up and if the car feels loose and wallowy on the test drive then they will need replacing.

The brakes were hydraulically powered and the rear discs were mounted inboard on earlier cars.

Maserati Merak Bodywork and interior

The Bora-inspired lines are stunning to behold but don’t get too mesmerised as rust lurking below the surface can quickly turn your dream into a nightmare. A lot of the rot and corrosion on a Merak tends to start in hard-to-see places so it may be worth having a specialist take a look to ensure you don’t miss anything.

Areas to focus on include the chassis framework, door bases, inner wings and front suspension mounts, as well as the enclosures holding the fuel tanks, mounted alongside the engine. US cars had a full sized spare mounted above the engine, the cover was modified with a hump to accommodate it.

While much of the switchgear and dashboard was shared with the Citroen SM on earlier cars, you will struggle to find replacement parts these days. Later models reverted to the Bora dashboard, but parts are no easier to find. Retrims are common and can uplift the interior.

Model History Of The Maserati Merak

1972:   Maserati Merak 2+2 introduced with mid-mounted 187bhp 3.0-litre V6

1973:   RHD Meraks offered in the UK

1976:   Maserati Merak SS replaces Merak, engine updates push power up to 217bhp and weight saving measures lower kerb weight by 100lbs

1977:   Merak 2000GT arrives with 157bhp 2.0-litre V6

1982:   All Merak production ends. Approximately 230 of all variants sold in the UK

Production Numbers:

Merak:                         830

Merak SS:                   787

Merak 2000GT:           200

Which Maserati Merak To Buy

Most first-time buyers will automatically look for the more powerful SS version and while it is undoubtedly faster than the standard car neither is particularly quick in a modern context. Your focus should rather be on the condition of the chassis, bodywork and engine. A poorly kept car can easily become unviable to rectify and many have not been cared for in the appropriate manner. The 2.0-litre 2000GT variants are rare and generally less sought-after but any low-mileage Merak in top condition can command twice as much as a more care-worn example.

Later cars dropped the Citroen hydraulic systems for the brakes and pop-up headlights and the dashboard design was also changed midway through production, but don’t be too caught up on the model year here, look for the best condition car you can afford instead. With looks that still turn heads and a decent turn of speed from the 3.0-litre cars, the Maserati Merak is a fantastic classic that can still be found for relatively reasonable sums.

Maserati Merak Specifications

3.0-litre V6 – Merak

Power:             187bhp

Top speed:      149mph

0-60mph:        7.5sec est.

Economy:       17mpg est.

3.0-litre V6 – Merak SS

Power:             217bhp

Top speed:      155mph

0-60mph:        7.0sec est.

Economy:       17mpg est.

2.0-litre V6 – Merak 2000 GT

Power:             157bhp

Top speed:      137mph

0-60mph:        9.0sec est.

Economy:       22mpg est.

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Text John Tallodi  Photos Newspress Maserati, Chromecars

Author: David Lillywhite

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