After the triumph of the Ghibli, Maserati turned once again to Giorgetto Giugiaro and his brand new Italdesign studio to design the new model, whose name recalls a strong breeze well known to the east of the Adriatic coast. Pietro Frua also proposed a full-scale model. Not only was Giugiaro’s design more modern, it was also perfectly aligned with the other models in the range. The body was manufactured by Officine Padane in Modena. The 5-speed ZF gearbox was mounted on an auxiliary chassis with rear suspension. Given that Maserati was part of Citroën at the time, the Bora inherited some parts from the French manufacturer: the brakes, retractable lights, driver’s seat and pedal adjustment were hydraulic. Its 310 bhp (300 bhp for the US market because of emissions restrictions) enabled it to reach a top speed of 260 km/h.

In the end, a third of the Mexicos sold were equipped during the production cycle. Top speed increased from 240 km/h in the 4.2-litre version to 255 km/h in the 4.7-litre version. Other minor tweaks were made to the model in 1970, including alloy wheels in place of spoked rims. However, these were still available in Bolt-on version, but no longer with Knock-off system. A total of 480 Mexicos were sold in seven years, including to Italian actress Virna Lisi, American actor Ronald Reagan and middleweight boxing champion Nino Benvenuti.

In general, its construction is similar to that of the original Quattroporte, although the first Mexico prototype was in fact a damaged 5000 GT and therefore had a 4.9-litre engine under the bonnet. The very elegant and formal lines of the four-seater Mexico are by Vignale. Unlike other Maserati four-seater coupes, the Mexico was not named after a racetrack. Presented at the Paris Motor Show in 1966, the Mexico was offered with the same engines as the Quattroporte, with a choice of power between 4.2 and 4.7 litres. Its chassis was 11 cm shorter, in line with the Quattroporte 2nd series.

Spoke wheels became standard equipment, but from 1967 light alloy wheels similar to those on the Ghibli were available. Top speed was around 250 km/h. Italian actors Alberto Sordi and Ugo Tognazzi were among the Mistral Spyder owners. In all, 125 Mistral Spyders were assembled between 1964 and 1970, 20 of them with right-hand drive. In 1968, the Mistral Spyder became the most modern car ever to win Best of Show at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Presented at the Geneva Motor Show, it was to become the latest evolution in the dynasty of in-line 6-cylinder engines that had begun with the 3500 GT and earlier with the A6 series, or even with the pre-war 6CM Grand Prix car. The record speed was 255 km/h, no doubt helped by the car’s light weight and aerodynamic bodywork. Chrome-rimmed side vents adorn the car’s front wings. Towards the end of production, alloy wheels with the same design as those on the Ghibli were available on request. One of the 828 coupés assembled throughout production was reserved for Sir Peter Ustinov.

Already available in the coupe and Sebring, the 3.7 model became a slightly less attractive choice after 1966 when the new 4-litre version was launched. However, more than half the Mistral Spyders assembled were fitted with the 3.7-litre engine. An automatic gearbox was available for both the 3.7- and 4.0-litre versions.

The extremely elegant lines of the Mistral have been further enhanced in the cabriolet version. As with the coupé, its design was the work of Giovanni Michelotti, and Vignale was the coachbuilder. It was offered with a choice of either the 3.5-litre engine from the 3500 GT or the 3.7-litre from the same car, to which a 4-litre version was added a few years later. As with the coupé, during its first year of production the car was still known simply as the ‘2 Posti’ spyder, before the more poetic name of Mistral was adopted. Even with the 3.5-litre engine, performance was much more than poetic, with 235bhp available under the bonnet. The bodywork of the Mistral convertibles was predominantly steel, with the bonnet, doors and boot lid in alloy. A very rare optional hardtop was designed for the car and also made from light alloy.

The Maserati Mistral was originally launched as a 2-seater coupé in November 1963 at the Turin Motor Show, alongside the very first Quattroporte. Simply christened “2 Posti” (or even “Berlina 2 Posti” as Road & Track still called it in 1964), it took the name Mistral at the suggestion of Maserati’s French importer, Colonel John Simone. Mistral is the name of a French wind blowing along the Mediterranean coast, and from then on Maserati 2-seater sports cars took on wind names. The 2+2 coupés kept circuit names, as had begun a year earlier with the Sebring.

With 265 bhp, the level of performance is impressive, as evidenced by the speed of 255 km/h. Stylistically, the changes included a redesigned front end with a chrome-plated dual headlamp housing, a new bonnet and side air intakes now located higher up on the front wings. The new rear lights were reminiscent of those on the Quattroporte, creating a strong resemblance with the rear end. Internally, the car was also revised and air conditioning was now available. A combined total of 245 Sebrings were assembled. Among the original Sebring 593 owners (including both series) was a young Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti and the name of the Austrian Swarovski (crystal object sale)…

The Sebring Series II is not long in coming. The 3.7-litre engine first used in the Mistral is now available in the Sebring, alongside the 4-litre version. Power increased from 235 to 245 bhp. Stylistically, changes included a redesigned front end with chromed dual headlamp plate housing, a new bonnet and the side slots were now but located higher up on the front wings. Spoked wheels were still available on request. 245 second series Sebrings were assembled.