Although the Bora looked reactionary because it was Maserati’s first mid-engined production car, its execution of the concept was totally original. Against the other mid-engined Italian exotics that existed at the time, such as the Lamborghini Miura, DeTomaso Mangusta and Pantera, the Bora added something altogether new: refinement and usability. Its cabin is spacious, the visibility good, and the trunk usefully shaped and capacious. Compared to other Italian exotics of the period, it is easy to drive, but still offers world-class design and performance, the former thanks to Giorgetto Giugiaro’s striking design, and the latter thanks to the venerable and sophisticated quad-cam alloy Maserati V8.
That V8 descended from the legendary 450S engine, but went on to power a wide variety of Maserati road cars all the way through the 1980s and was variously offered in 4.2, 4.5, 4.7, and 4.9 liter displacements. Only the latter two were offered in the Bora; of the 564 Boras made, 275 had 4.9 liter engines. Because Maserati had been owned by Citroen since 1968, the Bora included some of their famous hydraulic technology, which actuated the brakes, as well as the power actuation of the headlamps, adjustable seat, and pedals (!). Other noteworthy technology included a dogleg ZF 5-speed transaxle and for the first time on a Maserati road car, independent suspension at all four corners.
Aesthetically, the Giugiaro design was innovative and striking, but restrained and elegant at the same time. All Boras featured a stainless steel roof panel and A-pillars, as well as a rear clamshell with no fewer than three glass panels. Double paned glass separated the passenger compartment from the engine compartment, while ample sound proofing added further to the car’s refinement, despite even US cars being capable of around 170 MPH.
This particular car is a US market 4.9 liter example which has been with the current owner for many years. The car is extensively documented, with service records dating back to 1993, including approximately $32,500 of work performed by Patrick Ottis company in 1993-94. The substantial file of invoices shows how well looked after the car has been, which included a 2003 engine rebuild by Hasselgren Racing Engines, which included all new valves, piston rings, rod and main bearings, and full valve job including restoring the lifters, machining, grinding, and nitriding the camshafts, and dyno testing the engine, which made 340 ft-lb of torque and 302 hp. In 2017-18, the car received substantial additional work, which included rebuilding the suspension (replacing bushings, refinishing A-arms, new steering rack bushings, boots, steering shaft coupler, new steering damper), rebuilt clutch hydraulics, new fuel pump and lines, rebuilt carburetors, the installation of Pertronix electronic ignition, and rebuilt brake calipers with new lines. The column switch was also completely rebuilt at considerable expense. New Pirelli Cinturato CN12 tires were fitted in 2021, and in 2024, the car received an oil change and new filter, new transmission oil, and a new water pump by Patrick Ottis Company.
Included with the car are decades of service records and other documentation, plus an original owner’s manual.
