The Maserati Bora. A wedge-shaped icon of 1970s automotive design, penned by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign. This particular Bora, a 1974 model, is a rare gem, one of only 564 examples produced and even more exclusive as one of approximately 250 built with the powerful 4.9-liter DOHC V8 engine. With a fascinating history, including ownership by former Grateful Dead photographer Andy Leonard, this Bora, finished in a striking copper over cream leather, is a true collector’s item. Let’s delve into the details that make this classic Maserati so special.
Exterior Design: Giugiaro’s Masterpiece
The Bora’s design is a testament to Giugiaro’s genius. Its wedge-shaped profile, a hallmark of 1970s sports cars, is both elegant and aggressive. Design elements like the brushed stainless-steel roof and A-pillars, along with the hydraulically deployed pop-up headlights, further contribute to the car’s distinctive look. This 1974 model features updates introduced later in the Bora’s production run, including a rectangular vent panel on the front hood, a vented lower front valance, and rounded headlight bucket corners. This example is finished in the captivating Rame Metallizzato (copper) and sports European-style chrome bumpers, fitted by a previous owner, which replace the US-market impact bumpers. The US-market side markers and taillights have been retained, adding to the car’s unique character.
Wheels, Tires, and Brakes: Performance and Style
The Bora rides on Campagnolo cast-alloy wheels with chrome covers, wrapped in 215/70R15 Goodyear Assurance tires. A Michelin XWX tire serves as the spare, housed over the transaxle. The braking system utilizes a Citroën high-pressure hydraulic system, acting on four-wheel ventilated discs, ensuring exceptional stopping power. Recent maintenance includes the rebuilding of two pressure accumulators and a brake fluid flush, performed in preparation for its next custodian.
Interior Comfort: Cream Leather and Classic Charm
The cabin is a luxurious blend of cream leather and black accents. Cream leather adorns the seats, door panels, and dash fascia, while black leather covers the console, upper dashboard, and firewall. Gray carpeting and a white ribbed headliner complete the interior look. The hydraulic system also powers the adjustment of the seat , steering column, and pedal box, allowing for a truly personalized driving position. Amenities include power windows, air conditioning, and a Pioneer CD stereo, blending classic style with modern convenience.
Instrumentation: A Driver’s Focus
The padded steering wheel frames Veglia Borletti instrumentation, including a 200-mph speedometer, an 8k-rpm tachometer, and an oil pressure gauge. The five-digit odometer shows 15k miles, although the true mileage is unknown. A quintet of instruments to the driver’s right provides additional information, including a quartz clock and gauges for coolant temperature, fuel level, oil temperature, and voltage.
Engine and Drivetrain: The Heart of the Bora
The mid-mounted 4.9-liter V8 engine is a masterpiece of engineering. With an aluminum block, aluminum cylinder heads with hemispherical combustion chambers, dual overhead camshafts on each bank, and quadruple Weber carburetors, this engine delivers exhilarating performance. Fluid changes have been performed in preparation for its new owner. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a ZF five-speed manual transaxle with a hydraulically actuated clutch. Recent maintenance includes the replacement of the clutch master cylinder and hose, as well as the front suspension bushings and shock absorbers.
A Storied History: From Grateful Dead to You
This Bora has a rich history. Delivered new in Los Angeles in June 1974, it later spent time under the ownership of Andy Leonard, the renowned Grateful Dead photographer. The car was then fitted with European-specification bumpers before being acquired by its current owner in 2017. Invoices dating back to the 1980s provide further documentation of the car’s history and maintenance.
Chassis and Title: A Note of Clarification
The chassis number, 766, is reflected in the dashboard tag and frame stamps. The title uses dashboard tag number AM11749US766 as the identification number, although the door jamb tag is stamped with the number AM117/49/776. The title is marked as “corrected,” suggesting a previous discrepancy.
Summary
- Make: Maserati
- Model: Bora
- Year: 1974
- Engine: 4.9-liter DOHC V8
- Transmission: ZF five-speed manual
- Exterior Color: Copper (Rame Metallizzato)
- Interior Color: Cream Leather
- Mileage: Odometer shows 15k miles (true mileage unknown)
- Title: Utah title
*Disclaimer: This information is provided for general knowledge and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as an endorsement or recommendation for any specific vehicle. The mileage listed is based on the odometer reading and its accuracy is not guaranteed. For more information on this specific car, you can reach out to the seller.
Source: bringatrailer.com
This article was crafted with assistance from Gemini
