Maserati Merak SS review. Driving Maserati's V6 154mph supercar classic
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- Опубликовано: 6 авг 2022
- The Maserati Merak SS was the ultimate version of Maserati's beautiful V6 junior supercar from the seventies. Powered by a 3.0litre version of the V6 developed for the Citroen SM, it gave this car 154mph potential but it was it's handling that was the real star of this car.
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Harry, when I was an "undergrad" I used to deal in these when you could buy them in the trade for £6k and sell them for £9k the first time you advertised it. The "motor trade" was always understandably nervous of them because the oil pressure gauge always registered nearly zero even when running and at tick-over the orange light in the gauge flickered on. Before I bought the first one I rang Maserati in Italy and asked the factory about it, here was the answer... "Does(a) the guage(a) read(a) anything at all(a) ? " Me, "Err, well yes". Them " Then(a) it is absolutely fine(a)" and they put the phone down! They where right, it was just a gauge fault on all of them at the time, I never had a single problem with any of the 4 I bought. Lovely crazy car, full of wonderful touches like two horns, polite one for town, noisy one for the autoroute! Not fast compared to the Bora but the best sounding car ever, and I have owned plenty of Ferraris since. The Merak SS has a hidden compartment in the front boot area for storing your valuables like watches and jewellery. The Bora was even more radical, the pedal box (and the seat) were independently hydraulically controlled so they could come closer or further away from you at the touch of a button to achieve the perfect driving position. Its secret jewellery compartment was in the engine bay. Only problem with the Merak is that the gear change is controlled by cables and if they go slack you get reverse instead of first!
Awesome comment
We've had one in the family for 30 years. I think its one of the prettiest cars ever made.
I like your comment 🙂👍🏻
Huge thanks for the insight!
I love that undergrad is in quotes 😁
Always loved this car ever since the old Top Gear cheap supercar challenge. Thanks for the video!
Insane to think that car was bought for £1500 back then (*edit to ad: actually 7k)
@@classiced1416 Which resulted in the classic line "My big end ended up in a bucket" - happy days
@@colinritchie1757 Or "I was expecting to end up the evening on a different sort of hedge"
@@Digojaim 😂😂😂🤣
@@classiced1416 Clarkson said £7,000 in the episode.
That colour is gorgeous, and I would never ever tire of that engine note. What a fabulous soundtrack.
No one classier than Harry to show off this design masterpiece. To remind yourself just how gorgeous this is, drive through a typical big box store parking lot and witness the sea of hideous, faceless, personality-less plastic interiored Japanese and Korean econo-boxes.
I could easily see this being added to Harry's fleet. It is a fabulous looking car.
thinking the same thing
I thought a Bora would be more his style?
I love the glassless pillars at the back that look like they were designed for an entirely different vehicle.
I saw how much space the boot had and instantly thought the same
Spot on !
I had a 79 Merak SS back in the mid-1980s and to this day it was the greatest car I ever drove. Yeah, the braking took a little getting used to, but it was perfection - and the way the car sat down in the corners and swept you out was a joy. Loved how Harry mentioned so many of the great things about this car and gave it the respect it deserved - and which it didn't get at all back in the day from the Porsche and Ferrari crowd. The 'off-set' steering wheel was interesting, btw, because it shifted one's eyeline to the crown of the road instead of the middle of the lane. And yeah, that time I was doodling along the M6 and a guy in yellow Capri came alongside and thought he could show off? I let him get a nose or two ahead of me for a while, then dropped a gear and made him disappear in the rearview. Most satisfying.
the thing about the Citroen powered braking system that people struggle to adapt to is the very short pedal travel. the way most people brake is they press the pedal so far to et x amount of braking with this system you instead apply x amount of pressure and the pedal hardly moves!
Hi..i dont care too much speed....a doubt its comfortable to Drive? The pedals are well separated? Thanks
What a beautiful thing, from an era where the designers were able to exercise a lightness of touch. Lovely from any angle.
@Scimmia From an era when one man could design a car's shape, as opposed to a committee. Too many chefs spoil the soup, IMO.
I'm an early 80s kid. I had a poster of this on my wall. Brings back great memories
Thanks Harry, brings back memories: In the '90's I really wanted one and they were not expensive. I was discouraged by friends and my mechanic, who said they were nothing but trouble. I bought a '68 280SL instead. I still have it and it is worth serious money now. But my heart wanted (still does) the Maserati. What a fab colour on the car you drove.
What an amazingly beautiful car. Always loved this car and to have our man Harry show us one properly is amazing. Thanks for all you bring to us Harry!
Top gear put me off the Merak lol.
@@dyfnwalmoelmud8362 HAHAHA I can see that having an effect for sure!
@@dyfnwalmoelmud8362 Top Gear behaved like arseholes towards that Merak. I think they took the oil out to provoke an engine seizure. There is no way a car that has just had a £10,000 engine rebuild should just blow up like that.
@@johnrandall125 That's entertainment.
Still one of my favourite car designs… beautifully sleek, with none of the insane over styling that can often pass for super/sports car design today.
I disagree with him that it looks better than the Bora. It doesn’t.
@@Gaudine The Bora is my absolutely undisputed lottery car.
@@Gaudine I agree the Bora is a better design overall.
I used to have my Fiat X1/9 serviced at a Maserati dealer and every time I took it in I gazed longingly at the red Maserati Merak they had in the showroom window. Alas, I could never afford one, and it was a relief that after I sold the X1/9, I no longer had to look at that Merak in the window. What a car! The rear styling is magnificent.
I had a Matchbox version of this in exactly this colour!
I can remember as a teenager in the early 1970s being impossibly excited about seeing a Maserati in a local pub car park, even though their best racing years were behind them by the time I was born. I think the Merak was the best looking Maserati of the period.
Careful with that opening shot driving behind it. Last person to do that got showered with an exploding engine.
lol nice one.
Clarksooooooooon!
@@bamboozledbob3298 ah, but this is an actual SS, that was just a boggo Merak with an SS badge on the back...
@@richardharrold9736 Clarksons had the vent in the front, it was most likely a real SS.
“Four thousand rpm! And that’s all the rebuilt engine has to give!”
“That car is an appalling..”
“WHY WONT YOU REV!”
“Heap of junk..”
How I loved that car in Top Gear's "10000 pounds Italian supercars" challenge!
I've always found both the Merak and the Bora to be among the most beautiful of exotic car designs. What a treat to see your review of this model. It is gorgeous!
I had a Merak as a toy car in the early 80's. It was my favourite car even though I had no idea what it was. Great to see a positive review
One of the prettiest cars ever designed. The genius of Guigiaro. I lusted after one in my 20s and in later years but, alas, they were always out of my financial reach. Beautiful timeiess classic and one of Maserati's finest.
I had withdrawal symptoms last week with no Harry's garage video 😜. I hope you got your harvest sorted. Great video this week. Great to see a Maserati this age. very nice looking.
Didn't know they shared a lot of parts with Citroen, very interesting video as usual thank you Harry keep up the good work🤓
bro is so ballin he has an f40 and many other beauties just chillin while he reviews my fav maserati ever.
I lusted after a Maserati Merak when I was eight years old......and I haven't stopped lusting after a Maserati Merak to this day, and I'm now considerably older than eight!
I absolutely love the Merak, for me it's the best looking car of all time.
The Jaguar XJ-S buttresses are a masterpiece of design - a much more complicated shape than people ever give them credit for - in fact the same can be said for the whole car!
I agree. I never understood the hate against them? It doesn't look awkward in the least to me? On the contrary, absolutely beautiful.
Besides, there's a lovely pedigree thibg going on from the SS1 coupe of the thirties. Put one besides the XJS and it is obvious the very same deft hand has been involved in the styling.
I was going to say the same thing, I love my 1994 XJS.
+1 from me too, I think they look quite elegant and give the XJS a unique character, visually. Surprised to hear them called ugly.
Having driven an XJ-S, I can say that the driving experience is sublime. It is a wonderful touring car. The styling, to me at least, is very pleasing. I like solid buttresses on practically everything. I'd take a Corvette with a vertical rear window over a glass fastback any day. Practicality be damned!
I own a pre he xj-s and I love the buttresses. When you kneel down behind an xj-s and look down the flank the shape is gorgeous!
Just for the record the xj- does NOT have flying buttresses as they are solid😉
I have to say Harry, that is the best opening to one of your videos. Beautifully done
Thanks, I thought so too! 😉
Nice review Harry, a really pretty junior supercar, The proportions of this car look just right and you can see by the size on the road it’s relatively easy to pilot because of it. Amazing to think that the marriage of Citroën and Maserati produced both this and the iconic SM.
Had an ‘80 U.S. spec Merak SS, it was completely de-Citroenized, had the best pedal setup of any car I’ve ever driven. Heel & toeing came completely naturally, I almost had my sister doing it 😁
Thanks! You in a Maserati and F-15s in the Mach Loop, two of my favorite channels make for a good Sunday. All the best
Thank you. I had never thought much of the Merak - always thought it was a little half-arsed, but you've converted me. A real gem. Thank you.
I love the lines of that car. Color is great to.all the body panels are in perfect alignment. What a cool car.
Down in the Cotswolds last week and checked out Harry's corner after a brief visit to the Diddly Squat Farm Shop. Beautiful part of the UK.
I just can't shake the memory of that scene from Top Gear where Jeremy's Merak engine fails on camera. The sound it makes and that look on his face lol
I can see myself with a cigar in my mouth rolling through my hometown after winning the lottery… Keep the new cars I say, I’ll go old school, gladly!!
Sublime machine, fantastic aesthetics, epic V6 soundtrack. Glorious piece of 70's styling.
Love this channel, so many cars bringing back memories from my youth!! A friend of mine used to have one of these, a real head turner in it's day... 👍😁😁
This is the nicest surviving Merak I’ve ever seen. Usually they’re faded, rusty and belching smoke.
Agreed, it looks stunning
There are only about 26 Meraks taxed in the UK, plus 32 SORNed.
@@hunty28 - I’m in the US and have spotted about six of them over the years. They’ve all been clapped out. But that is the case for many cars that for decades weren’t worth spit and had sky high maintenance costs. They don’t get turned around until the market decides they are worthy. Then they fall into the hands of people with the cash to set them right and suddenly they’re shiny rediscovered classics. I remember when Ferrari’s and E-Type’s were regularly getting stuffed with Chevy V8s. And you couldn’t even park a Dino at a Ferrari gathering because it wasn’t considered a real Ferrari. Time has a way of making us view things through a different lens. The Merak in the video is beautiful and falls into the aforementioned paradigm.
@@stuffhappens5681 I’m lucky enough to be helping restoring a 79 UK SS. My mate bought it at auction as a part completed project but we’ve had to strip it back to bare metal and refurbish most components. There aren’t many videos of Meraks, Harry’s is great for inspiring people like us.
@@hunty28 True David. The bar has been raised in the past few years as prices have risen and people are realising what underrated cars these are in comparison with their over-hyped 'competitors'. So like you and DG people are now restoring and then maintaining them to a high standard which bodes well.
Having worked at a dual Ferrari-Maserati dealer in Dearborn, Michigan in the late 70'-early 80's, I had a chance to drive both the Merak and the Ferrari 308 GTB almost side by side on a daily basis. I much preferred the 308 as a driver's performance car versus the Merak which was much more a Grand Touring car. It was immensely more "squidgy" , but far less demanding car. It also felt a lot heavier in it's controls......significantly less a go-kart-like than the 308 of the period. As recently as 5 years ago, I was privileged to prep a Merak for auction. it brought back so MANY good memories. It was so relaxed in character. In the end, my favorite of the 3 cars - 308, Bora, or Merak was the Bora. It possessed some of the sharp edges of the Ferrari with the brutality of a good 'ole American Big Block V-8. The Merak had the specs, but a more docile demeanor for someone transitioning from a Merc to a "supercar". Yes the U.S. spec cars did not have the Citroen hydraulics for the clutch or brakes, but the Bora did. Whutupwiddat bro?
Great review! It brought back so many memories.
Pure passion for cars. Harry, thank you for what you do.
Love your videos. Thanks for the work to bring it to my alabama home. Bring your best handling car to north Georgia and north Carolina to the tail of the dragon. 318 curves in 11 miles. Love to meet you.
Gorgeous looking car. Things of beauty are a joy forever.
One of the things I like Harry, in all your reviews, is your lightness of touch. Opening the door, putting the strut under the bonnet or turning the key; you are the antithesis of the other farmer/journalist who lives in south Oxfordshire. Thanks for another great review and good luck with the challenging harvest conditions. I also appreciate your love of Maseratis.
Finalmente una Merak che va come deve andare! Stupenda! E mi mangio le dita perché una quindicina di anni fa' me la sono lasciata sfuggire. Oggi ha raggiunto quotazione degne del suo blasone!
Harry, I only found your channel a couple of weeks ago, I'm glad about that because there's plenty to catch up on... easily the most enjoyable car channel on RUclips. Legend!!!!
It’s shocking how this channel is only at 600K subs. With time, he’ll be in the millions. Keep up the great content Harry!!
Numbers don't mean much today
The "free" platforms openly decide whom to show and whom to suppress.
The Merak has always been one of my favourite car designs; so elegant from every angle! If you combine the looks of the Merak with (the similar but to my eyes, not quite so pretty) Bora's V8, now that would have been THE car for me! Stunning and a great review as always Harry. So good to see the Merak being pushed a bit and hearing and seeing how it responded to it!
Spotted you filming this the other week coming out of ‘a road I shan’t mention on here’ Harry. Busy junction .. wish I could have stopped to say hello. The Maserati looked a beautiful car👍🏼
Utterly beautiful. Always been my favorite looking sports car. When I was a student in Wolves back in the early '80s I used to walk past a bright yellow one every morning on the way to lectures!
I fell in love.
What a shock for me, I didn’t know this model, I instantly fell in love, I saw V6 in the title I directly thought it was an AlfaRomeo because I recognize a lot of stylistic details but what a surprise… A Maserati under Citroën era.
How is that possible I’ve never seen or heard about this fantastic lovely little coupé?
What an absolute beauty to me…
Congratulations Harry and thank you a lot for this video who is a total discovery for me, I cannot wait to learn more about it !
Big salut 🫡 from France 🇫🇷
ViNZ.
Just a chilling Sunday drive with Harry. Thanks, man.
Gorgeous looking car. There is a delicacy to the lines and details that it's rivals at the time just don't have.
Both channels are bloody brilliant, mate. Keep it up!
Beautiful looking car. So timeless.
I have owned a couple of these, one currently, an '80. Have also owned a early 308GTB but much prefer the Merak and the character this engine. Really outstanding race history in the Ligier JS2 as well. No timing belts nor ignition points to deal with either!
Completely love this car. Always have. Didn't know, though, about some of the Citroen contributions, like that clutch assist! Makes it all the better. Almost Miata-like in the way it moves around - in the best way. Was surprised you picked it up, and really looking forward to an update. Thanks, Harry!
I like the sound of the gear change. Brings meaning to the rifle bolt cliché.
600k mark. Come on. Spread the word. So many people are missing out on these vids. Great looking car. Love the burnt orange look. V6 as you said sounds ace. Thanks again. After a long hot day doing DIY this was fab to unwind to.
Rode those roads last night on my multistrada. Absolutely stunning countryside harry. Was great seeing all the combines out harvesting
Beautiful looking car, cracking colour, many thanks for showing this Harry.
Harry, we missed you last week!
I recall the time when my dad took me to Brands Hatch for the British GP in 76 and being parked up next to a dark metallic green Merak with Italian plates. I've loved them ever since.
My Merak SS is just completing a full restoration at Prestige Restoration (engine back in next week) and has been painted in Verde Pino, that dark metallic green.
Love the Top Gear comments it was the first thing that came to mind.. what a great episode..
Beautiful spec - such a well proportioned design, and very cool. Thanks, great vid as always.
This and the Bora always hold a place in my heart from the Car magazines of the 70s and 80s. The Bora in particular, but that Merak is a peach - beautiful, and I love the interior. Shame about the seats and a little too much roll I think. I wonder how much horsepower that pump robs the engine of? Great review Harry
Love it, from an era when "exotics" were actually rarely seen and exotic. It's sad that many people in these comments only seem to know the Merak from clown Clarksons feature.
Somewhat unique car on many levels, Very enjoyable video. Thanks Harry.
Never seen that colour before.. Looks wonderful!
I jaw dropped when I saw what car you were reviewing. I love this car and Italian cars of the time period.
Maybe review an sm. That will be a treat
Gorgeous looking thing!
Thanks Harry, Another great review of a fabulous car
Sounds like just about everything is right on that car, size looks great as well. Love it.
Excellent video as always. I think the Merak and Bora are both great cars and surprisingly practical
The view from inside the cabin is spectacular. This side mirror, this roof liner..
I've always liked the '70s Maseratis more than their competitors - a dream set for me would be a Bora, Khamsin and a Merak. Never driven one so great to see this.
would need a Ghibli SS to round it out.
@@seanparsons4649 Oh, go on then, but the spyder version
Thanks Harry for another great video. I always liked the Bora, but nice to see and hear your review of the V6. And what a great color!
What a treat. I've always wanted to know more about the Merak and this one was a choice example. I don't think I've ever seen one is such good condition either. Gorgeous color! Copper Sand? So nice. I can only say it seemed to lean too much in the corners but the interior is much nicer than I expected. The engine bay is not sexy, too dark and wires everywhere from what I could tell, but good practicality for an old exotic. I have yet to see one of these in person and I live in Napa where exotic cars can be found almost any day of the week. Great video! Enjoyed it a great deal.
Amazing as always
From a distance it looks great, but up close in Harry's garage it looks stunning. The detail in the shapes near the headlights is a master-class in spectacular design.
Thanks for sharing this Harry. I recall a review of this back in the 70s which wasn't very complimentary but looking at the car now, it really still retains an exceptional level of beauty which wouldn't leave it out of place in any lineup imho.
What a glorious sound. Just fantastic.
A work of art, have loved the Merak since my secondary schools days. Loved the legendary Bora since primary school, was my favourite matchbox toy even among my Ferrari 330 P4, Porsche 917K, Lambo Miura and GT40 mk2 toy cars 😊
Beautiful cars, I love 70s Maseratis and it's lovely to be able to see one again, thanks for sharing. Awesome
Wow, I have never seen one of these before, What a beautiful car.
What a treat, thanks Harry! Love that car and the cooler is amazing!
Lovely drive, Harry. Thanks for sharing!
The wedge shaped era beginning the late Sixties and culminating in the late Seventies and early Eighties was expressed across a relatively wide range of manufacturers and models from entry level examples like the Fiat X1/9 and Triumph TR7/TR8, the Corvette and the Pantera to the uber crazy Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Lotuses, Maseratis, and even the BMW M1. This is a somewhat polarizing and provocative genre as you either adored them or you hated them. I love them, no matter what make or model or reputation - this is my era, my coming of age as a lover and admirer of all things automotive. But it's the pop up headlights, really - the twilight of the evening comes and the lovely motion of the concealed headlamps arising from the knife shaped noses. I still get a thrill from seeing it even after all of these years. It's the little kid in me. Fantastic post as usual, Harry - cheers!
Alway loved the Bora--but the Merak has my attention now. Great video.
Thanks harry ! One of my child dream cars. I 'love' the design lines of these 70's cars. As a teenager in the 70's , the car magazines let us dream of these beauties .
I really enjoy watching the test drives of the vintage sports cars.
One of my favorites growing up. Beautiful car and awesome sound.
Absolutely gorgeous the sound is addictive
Stunning car and great video. This is my era of classic car. I appreciate that many prefer more modern sports cars, but personally I would love to see more reviews of cars from the 1960 and 70s.
Awesome video as usual.Love the car and the colour really pops.Cheers
Gorgeous looking car!
After the Dino 206/246, the best looking '70's junior supercar. Love them - thanks for the video Harry.
To me one of the best looking cars, along with the E type and Alfa Montreal and Alfa Dino.
Thats a prime example of a 70's supercar , lovely styling👌
Two things that need to make a come-back: 1) pretty - instead of aggressive (yuck) cars
2) pleated headlinings
Totally agree. Modern car designs seem to be obsessively predicated around bodykits / spoilers that achieve nothing on the road, and increasingly ridiculously large wheels (I think the new Range Rover has 23 inch wheels as an option!). Genuinely pretty cars seem in short supply, especially anything that looks genuinely different like the Bora and Merak both did 50 years ago! Even the MX5 which I think was a masterpiece of design, even if it ripped off the Elan, seems to have gone down the big wheels / body kit route more and more in recent years.
The sound is just majestic and I’m very fond of the color scheme as well
Kudos to your chase camera car driver! Thanks for another great review Harry
Love the colour, looks like an immaculate example. Stunning car.