Bora and Merak photoshoot
We loved the BBS’d Merak from last week so much that we went searching for more, eventually coming across this incredible photoshoot featuring a Merak and its bigger brother. It’s too bad the Merak appears to be saddled with inelegant US regulation impact bumpers, though— typical of the era.
Images by Ron Dell’Aquila
And if you’ve ever wondered how the two are different:
The Maserati Bora had been launched in 1971 and represented the typical Maserati GT concept, with its big classic 4.7-litre V8 and the beautiful line sculptored by Giorgetto Giugiaro.
A year later, in 1972, Maserati introduced what could be considered a Bora ‘Junior’: the Merak, not named after a wind this time but after a star from the constellation ‘Ursa Major’.
The Merak utilised a great part of the structure of the chassis of the Bora and the body design was placed once more in the hands of Giugiaro who cleverly maintained the Bora’s overall shape; but the new car was powered by a 3-litre V6 directly derived from the Maserati engine already in use in the Citroën SM.
Consequently the price of the Merak was substantialy lower than that of the prestigious Bora; the new model being aimed at a potentially larger market (source).
Forget the engine differences for a moment— which look do you prefer, the Bora’s fully glassed rear or the Merak’s open buttresses?
Motoring Con Brio 
Personally I prefer the Merak’s look way more…
Lewis S. Bishop said this on March 29, 2012 at 1:35 am
I love it! I have these images in my files on my computer! Isn’t it just a grand shoot with incredible cars?! I proudly represent Maserati Club International here in the states and the members have some of the finest cars in the country. If you’d like to learn more about Maserati and become a club member, visit http://www.maseratinet.com and if you do decide to join the club, you will receive the beautiful Viale Ciro Menotti three times per year, our club magazine. We’re very close to printing our special hard-bound table top edition of the magazine which we produce just once per year. It’s always wonderful.
Cindy Meitle said this on March 29, 2012 at 1:55 am
it’s too hard for my little heart !!
the Merak with the same motor as my car
and the pretty V8 Bora who sounds so cute….
Laurent said this on March 29, 2012 at 7:10 am
I prefer the Bora due to the glass rear window and the stainless steel roof!
Automobiliac said this on March 29, 2012 at 10:53 am
Anytime you can say your car has buttresses it is a good day. Both are wonderful to look at.
tom d said this on March 29, 2012 at 6:17 pm
I vote buttress. Great cars!
Scott said this on March 29, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Bora. But I love this post! Phantastic Phtotogarphy making them both look sooooooooo sleek!
Gabriele Spangenberg said this on March 30, 2012 at 4:32 pm
When I was a kid, I so much loved my Matchbox Maserati Bora. It was awfuly colored, but who cares, it was cool anyway.
Check it out, what I mean:
http://matchboxmemories.blogspot.com/2012/01/matchbox-mb-32-maserati-bora.html
(Well, probably none of you will understand a word of it, but the pictures talks for themselves.)
Sam. Joe said this on April 2, 2012 at 1:05 pm
nothing a little google translate can’t fix 😉
thanks for the link!
motoringconbrio said this on April 2, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Yes, I fell in love with the Merak when seeing one for the first time while racing it on Interstate 80.
I had just finished setting up my new 1976 Alfetta GT on the Clayton chassis dynamometer where I worked at the national importer in New Jersey.
After reducing the rack spring tension on the injection pump, modifying the distributor advance curve, hacking off some emission devices and changing camshaft timing, that was the only car which managed to at least stay up with me. Crazy days!!!
Chris Kleckner said this on January 2, 2014 at 1:58 am