The Maserati Bora Was A Seventies Superstar

BOLD RIDE

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Posted by Nicole Wakelin 

                               

 

Besides Scooby Doo, the Maserati Bora was one of the best things to come out of the ’70s. It was produced from 1971 to 1978 as a mid-engined, two-seater coupe. This supercar, with a V8 engine and a top speed of 171 mph, started as a prototype in October of 1968 and made its debut at the Geneva Salon in March 1971. Deliveries started later that year and would end with the 1978 model year.

 

Considered by some to be a high point for Maserati, development of the car occured not long after Citroën took control of the company in 1968. Originally called the Tipo 117, the Bora was discontinued when Maserati faced troubles after being purchased by De Tomaso in 1975.

The Bora included features considered innovative for the time. It had a hydraulically-powered pedal cluster that was adjusted with a single button, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. These convenience features made the Bora more comfortable and easier to enter and exit than most supercars. It also had a full-size trunk up front, and dual-pane glass and a carpeted aluminum engine cap to decrease noise for passengers.

 

Engine choices started with a 4.7-liter V8 or a 4.9-liter V8 with higher torque. A smog-qualified 4.9-liter V8 was offered in 1973 in the U.S., with Boras for the U.S. market also getting front bumpers to meet safety regulations. A more powerful version of the 4.9-liter, with 320 horsepower at 6000 rpm, eventually became the only engine offered. The entire production run for the Bora was 524 units, with 289 4.7-liter and 235 4.9-liter variants rolling off the line.

Today, the Bora is quickly turning into a collectors item. A number of them have auctioned for close to $100,000 with prices climbing every day.