---
title: "The Maserati Merak SS Is the Weirdest Maserati You’ve Never Heard of"
description: "There's one for sale on Bring a Trailer right now too."
date: "2017-12-07"
modified: "2017-12-07"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Constantine"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-constantine"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/article/16796/the-maserati-merak-ss-is-the-weirdest-maserati-youve-never-heard-of"
categories:
  - "Maserati News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "1980s cars"
  - "Bring A Trailer"
  - "Cars for sale"
  - "maserati"
  - "Merak"
  - "Supercars"
---

# The Maserati Merak SS Is the Weirdest Maserati You’ve Never Heard of

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/12/maserati-merak-ss.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Does anyone remember the [Maserati Bora](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maserati_Bora>), the V8-powered two-seater supercar Maserati made in the late 1970s? If you're a fan of the whacky looks of Bora but can't come to terms with the [ridiculous prices](<https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/maserati/bora>) it sells for, there's an alternative.

It's called the Maserati Merak, and there's currently one for sale on [Bring a Trailer](<https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1981-maserati-merak/>). This is a 1981 Merak SS, the lighter and more powerful version with 217-horsepower, five-speed manual gearbox, and a more reliable hydraulic fuel pump. It's also one of 312 Meraks with the Bora's square dashboard and padded steering wheel. It's been well-serviced and the black paint is all original, matching the brown leather interior and period-correct Campagnolo wheels.

It has 15,577 miles on the clock and its current bid is $30,000. Included with the purchase are all the original service books, owner's manual, and a new chin spoiler. The car been seen cruising around San Francisco [here](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-yhAvL2gS0>).

Like the Bora, the Merak was designed by [Italdesign](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/13289/1-7-million-italdesign-zerouno-supercar-sold-out-before-its-debut>) engineer Giorgetto Giugiaro and shared the entire front end with its sibling. However, the Merak's rear end wasn't a fastback design like the Bora, resembling a pickup truck bed with its flat, horizontal back concealing the engine bay. The Merak also went with a smaller 3.0-liter V6, which added room in the cabin for rear seats. In a battle of practicality against the Bora, the Merak would win every time.

![message-editor%2F1512689355773-p1090323-e1512601699122.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1512689355773-p1090323-e1512601699122.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

![message-editor%2F1512689171690-p1090325.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1512689171690-p1090325.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

![message-editor%2F1512689229049-p1090332.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1512689229049-p1090332.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

![message-editor%2F1512689220468-p1090331.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1512689220468-p1090331.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

![message-editor%2F1512689178150-p1090329.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1512689178150-p1090329.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

![message-editor%2F1512689164051-p1090322.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1512689164051-p1090322.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

![message-editor%2F1512689241173-p1090360.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1512689241173-p1090360.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

![message-editor%2F1512689270109-p1090380.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1512689270109-p1090380.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

![message-editor%2F1512689261880-p1090375.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1512689261880-p1090375.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

![message-editor%2F1512689278259-5a26f9adaa0c9\_p1090396.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1512689278259-5a26f9adaa0c9_p1090396.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

![message-editor%2F1512689253085-p1090371.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1512689253085-p1090371.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

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