Maserati Merak (Italy, 1972-1982)

In the early ’70s, Italy’s exotic marques developed “junior supercar” models as complements to their larger, faster, and more expensive top-of-range machines. Ferrari launched the Dino 308 GT4 and Lamborghini the mid-engined Urraco. Maserati’s front line exotic was the Bora, which was an elegant, Giugiaro-designed slingshot that was powered by a descendant of the legendary racing V-8. Not wishing to develop a new from-scratch platform, Maserati sent the Bora back to Giorgetto Giugiaro’s drawing board, asking ItalDesign to rework the car into something equally handsome but less costly to build, and something that was competitive with the offerings from Ferrari and Lamborghini.

The great Giugiaro met the challenge with smart solutions, including the replacement of the Bora’s expensive stainless-steel roof panel and the reconfiguration of the glassy rear canopy engine cover with a more conventional steel lid and a pair of fl...