Maserati Merak

The Maserati Merak (Tipo AM122) is a mid-engined 2+2 sports car built by Maserati from 1972 to 1983, introduced at the 1972 Paris Auto Show and named after a star in the constellation of Ursa Major. It shared its structure and front body panels with the Bora but used a 3.0 litre V6 in place of the V8, which left room for two small rear seats. Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign reworked the Bora into the Merak, adding open flying buttresses to the roofline. Early cars used Citroën hydropneumatic brakes and headlight actuation, replaced after 1976 once Citroën gave up control of Maserati. It stayed on sale six years longer than the Bora and rivalled the Dino 308 GT4 and the Lamborghini Urraco.