From Z to M . . . for Maserati

[RIDDLER]

Well some of you may remember me on here - I had a nice 260Z for about 6 years which appeared on a James May TV show at one point - I eventually sold the car to Z Club member Tim Wray who I understand is doing a brilliant full restoration on it.
After the Datsun I bought a Volvo 1800S which I have used for the last five years and covered almost 30,000 miles.
But a few weeks ago I finally took leave of all my senses, drew out all my life savings and bought my all-time dream motor - a 1977 Maserati Merak SS which I came across for sale on a private stand at the NEC show.
Went there with no intention of buying anything and came away with this.
I must be nuts but hey - you’re only here once! Managed to get the plate as part of the deal too.
Fortunately sold the Volvo within 24 hours of advertising it so that helped!
I’ve wanted a Merak since I first saw one at the Earls Court motor show aged 14. It has always been top of my list of dream cars . . . it’s only taken me 50 years to get one.
Not driven it it that much due to the big freeze and the general horrible weather but when I have managed to get it out I have to say it has exceeded all my expectations.
So good to have three litres and six cylinders back under my right foot.
It sounds off-the-scale fantastic and being mid-engined it holds the road like a go-kart.
Anyway here are some pictures. Rob Gaskin asked me to post this because he thought you guys would be interested . . . even though it is not a Z!

 

[Mr.G]

Hi there, I remember you and was impressed that at the time you used to daily your 260z!

I love your Merak, very rare in RHD, emerged from the marriage of Citroen and Maserati. Has it lived up to your expectations?

Hankering for a Citroen SM so I appreciate the V6 in your car, the early Meraks even had a Citroen SM dash.

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

Hi there, I remember you and was impressed that at the time you used to daily your 260z!

I love your Merak, very rare in RHD, emerged from the marriage of Citroen and Maserati. Has it lived up to your expectations?

Hankering for a Citroen SM so I appreciate the V6 in your car, the early Meraks even had a Citroen SM dash.

Don't you have an SM?

Well some of you may remember me on here - I had a nice 260Z for about 6 years which appeared on a James May TV show at one point - I eventually sold the car to Z Club member Tim Wray who I understand is doing a brilliant full restoration on it.
After the Datsun I bought a Volvo 1800S which I have used for the last five years and covered almost 30,000 miles.
But a few weeks ago I finally took leave of all my senses, drew out all my life savings and bought my all-time dream motor - a 1977 Maserati Merak SS which I came across for sale on a private stand at the NEC show.
Went there with no intention of buying anything and came away with this.
I must be nuts but hey - you’re only here once! Managed to get the plate as part of the deal too.
Fortunately sold the Volvo within 24 hours of advertising it so that helped!
I’ve wanted a Merak since I first saw one at the Earls Court motor show aged 14. It has always been top of my list of dream cars . . . it’s only taken me 50 years to get one.
Not driven it it that much due to the big freeze and the general horrible weather but when I have managed to get it out I have to say it has exceeded all my expectations.
So good to have three litres and six cylinders back under my right foot.
It sounds off-the-scale fantastic and being mid-engined it holds the road like a go-kart.
Anyway here are some pictures. Rob Gaskin asked me to post this because he thought you guys would be interested . . . even though it is not a Z!

I love the Merak. I bid on a couple recently. how much was an SS? truly great looking cars. have you got the space saver that goes in the engine bay?

 

[candy red]

Hi Riddler
Great to see you’ve got your dream car as you say we’re only here once,hope it’s all you wanted it to be .
Great looking car thanks for posting it up and enjoy it
(Derrick)

 

[Mr.G]

Don't you have an SM?

Sadly not, but I do have a DS and CX GTI Turbo

 

[RIDDLER]

Hi there, I remember you and was impressed that at the time you used to daily your 260z!

I love your Merak, very rare in RHD, emerged from the marriage of Citroen and Maserati. Has it lived up to your expectations?

Hankering for a Citroen SM so I appreciate the V6 in your car, the early Meraks even had a Citroen SM dash.

Yes. It has exceeded my expectations. Naturally, a number of things have already gone wrong with it because the previous owner only drove it a couple of hundred miles in 5 years and I have now pushed it into service - mainly electrical gremlins (and a snapped speedo cable) - but I am getting those put right.
Yes, the engine is the one Maserati developed for the Citroen SM but it was enlarged to 3 litres for the Merak and then given another 30bhp for the SS model like the one I have.
The first Merak had the SM dashboard but my car has the later dashboard which is identical to that which was in the Maserati Bora.

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

Yes. It has exceeded my expectations. Naturally, a number of things have already gone wrong with it because the previous owner only drove it a couple of hundred miles in 5 years and I have now pushed it into service - mainly electrical gremlins (and a snapped speedo cable) - but I am getting those put right.
Yes, the engine is the one Maserati developed for the Citroen SM but it was enlarged to 3 litres for the Merak and then given another 30bhp for the SS model like the one I have.
The first Merak had the SM dashboard but my car has the later dashboard which is identical to that which was in the Maserati Bora.

They also have Citroen power steering and brakes.

 

[RIDDLER]

Don't you have an SM?



I love the Merak. I bid on a couple recently. how much was an SS? truly great looking cars. have you got the space saver that goes in the engine bay?

All I will say is that it cost me considerably more than my 260Z and Volvo put together. I paid top money for it but it is in concours condition - I have seen a receipt for the paint job it received in 2020 which was nearly £20,000.
Yes I have got the space saver wheel but I don’t carry it as I don’t see the point. Even if I was prepared to drive the car with it on (which I wouldn’t fancy) where would I then put the wheel I took off to bring it home?
There is nowhere in the car to fit a 225/70/15 campagnolo wheel and tyre!
If I get a puncture I will just get the car recovered.

 

[RIDDLER]

They also have Citroen power steering and brakes.

Not power steering. The hydraulics work the brakes, the clutch and the pop-up headlights.
But it is very light at the front. And the clutch is so light and easy to use which makes a change from most 70s’ Italian exotic cars.

 

[RIDDLER]

For those who are interested in this sort of stuff here is a picture of the underside of my car.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Rob, you'll have to bring it down to the Donington Historic next year so we can see it. I'll find a few Datsun badges to stick on it.

Out of interest Rob, who is working on it for you - your usual guy?

 

[Rob Gaskin]

I admire your enthusiasm for the car and your decision making.

I also know (from your previous classic ownership) that the car will be used but not abused.

As does your classic daily driver!

 

[RIDDLER]

Rob, you'll have to bring it down to the Donington Historic next year so we can see it. I'll find a few Datsun badges to stick on it.

Out of interest Rob, who is working on it for you - your usual guy?

He may do some jobs for me but there is an independent Maserati specialist in Chorlton near Manchester - about 10 miles from me - and I will probably take it there because they know their classic Maseratis. Though they also know how to charge . . .

 

[RIDDLER]

I admire your enthusiasm for the car and your decision making.

I also know (from your previous classic ownership) that the car will be used but not abused.

As does your classic daily driver!

Yes have still got my Jaguar X300 which is my all-weather driver but I will be out in the Merak whenever the weather is dry.
It only has 27,500 miles on the clock but I don’t worry about putting mileage on it. Don’t see the point in having a car and not driving it and despite doing the mileage I have never yet sold a classic car for less than I paid for it.

 

[Robotsan]

He may do some jobs for me but there is an independent Maserati specialist in Chorlton near Manchester - about 10 miles from me - and I will probably take it there because they know their classic Maseratis. Though they also know how to charge . . .

Lovely car! I drive past that Maserati shop all the time. If I see your car outside it I'll pop in!

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

Not power steering. The hydraulics work the brakes, the clutch and the pop-up headlights.
But it is very light at the front. And the clutch is so light and easy to use which makes a change from most 70s’ Italian exotic cars.

Sorry, steering wheel!

I think they’re such a great car. Lovey choice. Amazing looks in profile and front 3/4

 

[RIDDLER]

Lovely car! I drive past that Maserati shop all the time. If I see your car outside it I'll pop in!

Actually the shop front there isn’t actually the workshop - that is down the entrance way on the opposite side of the road.

 

[Robotsan]

Actually the shop front there isn’t actually the workshop - that is down the entrance way on the opposite side of the road.

Ah yes, down past Carringtons. I used to know someone with a flat down that little side road.

 

[Huw]

That you Mr Riddler in Febs edition of Practical Classics

 

[RIDDLER]

That you Mr Riddler in Febs edition of Practical ClassicsView attachment 55132

Yes. Was chatting to the Editor Danny Hopkins, who I know, and mentioned I had got a different car. He asked me about it and asked me to email him some pics. I didn’t realise he planned to use it until I saw the mag.