Property of a deceased's estate
One of only 42 right hand drive examples
1974 Maserati Bora 4.7-litre Coupé
Registration no. LFW 554P
Chassis no. 117 221
Engine no. 117 221

'For a man who wants the last word in sports cars, a mid-engined machine is essential. Racing single-seaters are built to this configuration and so the mid-engined car must be right!

'It is thus of great interest that the famous Maserati firm, which has tended to be somewhat conservative in recent years, has now placed an advanced mid-engined coupé on the market.' – John Bolster, Autosport.

The highlight of 1971 Geneva Salon was undoubtedly the sensational new Maserati Bora. With the Bora's introduction, the great Modenese manufacturer followed other supercar constructors in going mid-engined while at the same time abandoning its traditional tubular chassis technology in favour of unitary construction. Named after an Adriatic wind, the Bora was the work of Giorgetto Giugiaro's Ital Design, at least as far as its bodyshell was concerned; the mid-mounted engine was Maserati's familiar four-cam V8 in 4.7-litre form, the five-speed transaxle came from ZF and the all-independent double-wishbone suspension was penned by Giulio Alfieri, co-designer of the legendary 250F Formula 1 Grand Prix car. One of the first 'new generation' models to appear following Maserati's acquisition by Citroën, the Bora used the latter's hydraulic technology to adjust seats and pedals, raise the headlamps and operate the excellent power-assisted brakes. A slippery shape plus 310bhp made for a very fast car - top speed was over 160mph (258km/h) - and the Bora had acceleration, handling and braking to match.

By January 1976, Maserati's management apparently had discussed shelving the Bora but later that year decided to continue, though with an enlarged 4.9-litre V8 engine. Only some 25 Boras were made that year, and the total produced from 1971 to 1978 was only 564. The type was finally phased out in 1979. Motor magazine concluded its March 1973 road test thus: 'The Bora impressed us as one of the best and most civilised mid-engined exotics we've tried, better developed than most of its ilk and immensely rewarding to drive, especially to drive fast on cross-country roads.' What more could any enthusiast want?

The Bora was a stunning supercar by any standards, both then and now. Supplied new in the UK, this particular Bora was built in June 1974 with the 4.7-litre engine and is a rare right-hand drive example, one of only 42 made. It was originally finished in silver with blue leather interior. The car is offered from the estate of the late Simon Phillips, prominent BRDC member and well-known collector. In 1988 the Maserati was subject to a total bare-metal restoration by Mototechnique and Rardley Motors, since when it has covered only some 20,000 miles (the current odometer reading is 44,000 miles). The engine received new cylinder head gaskets this year and is said to run well, while the rest of the car is described as 'solid', albeit in need of further renovation to bring it back to the highest standard. Accompanying paperwork consists of the 1988 restoration invoices, a current MoT certificate and V5 registration document.