1971 Maserati Bora
The fact that Maserati, like many storied marques, has had a turbulent history fortunately didn’t stop it from creating some of the most beautiful cars ever seen. The Maserati Bora is a case in point, appearing while the Italian company was under Citroën’s ownership but before the De Tomaso takeover. Neither of which you will note could be regarded as a steady, cash-rich parent.
Nevertheless, the Bora was perhaps the most civilised supercar of the era, thanks in part to Citroën’s influence. The French company’s hydraulics expertise was used to operate the ventilated disc brakes, the adjustable pedal box, driver’s seat and the de-riguer pop-up headlights although the car was conventionally sprung with independent suspension all-round. Further refinement was found in large front luggage compartment and a double-pane of glass separating the cabin from the 4.7-litre mid-mounted V8.
This engine was all-Italian however and derived from the engine in the legendary Maserati 450S endurance racer. All-alloy, quad-cam and fed by four carburettors in later 4.9-litre form this produced 320bhp and 454Nm (335lb ft) and drove the rear wheels through a ZF five-speed transaxle. All of this was wrapped in a sensational Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed body which took accents from his Alfa Romeo Iguana concept car such as the brushed aluminium roof, glazed rear panels and taillight shape.
Engine and transmission
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4.7-litre V8, five-speed manual, rear-wheel-drive
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Power/torque
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310PS (306bhp)/462Nm (341lb ft)
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0-60mph
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6.7 seconds
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Top speed
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174mph
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