This Ghibli 4.9 SS Spyder was ordered on February 1st of 1971 by Mario Tozzi-Condivi of MTC Cars Ltd. on behalf of William Benjamin. The majority of the 125 Ghibli Spyders were exported to the United States, this example, however, was a European-specification example which was sent to Mr. Benjamin’s villa in Antibes, France.
The Spyder came witted with several ‘extras’ including the dashboard and transmission tunnel covered in Connolly leather, an air-conditioning system, power steering, a manual gearbox, a Becker radio with electric antenna, twin speakers, overtaking lights in the front grille, Borrani wire wheels, a hardtop and fitted luggage. It was also fitted in Verde Gemma over a Senape interior. The final build invoice totaled $16,590 and, when delivered, the car cost an astounding $17,792.
On May 12, 1971, Maserati issued the Certificate of Origin. Six days later, Mr. Benjamin traveled to Modena and collected his $17,000 Maserati. The following month, Mr. Benjamin wrote to the factory complaining of various faults with his new car A factory driver picked the car up in Antibes and returned it to Modena where it received the requested work, some of which was not covered by the guarantee and therefore invoiced directly to Mr. Benjamin.
Mr. Benjamin is known to have owned the car for just a few years. Around 1978, Sander Van der Velden in Tilburg, Netherlands, purchased the car from a Porsche dealer in nearby Eindhoven. A short time later, the car was sent back to Italy where it was repainted in burgundy and partially re-trimmed. After refurbishment, the 4.9 SS Spyder was shown at the Zandvoort Concours d’Elegance where it won an award.

In 1983, the car was sold to F.W. Overlander in West Germany. It remained there for a few years until being sold to Swiss collector Wolfgang von Schmieder of Blonay and later Cologny, Switzerland. A record from Herr von Schmieder’s ownership dated June 6, 1987, noted mileage at just 80,168 km, slightly less than 50,000 miles.
In March of 2001, the von Schmieder collection was sold and purchased by another Swiss buyer in Geneva. The Ghibli was brought to storage in Bern where it saw little or no use.
Two years later, the Ghibli was bought by Ian F. Wade of Hong Kong, although the car remained in storage in Bern. The car was sold three years later to Simon Kidston of Geneva. While in Mr. Kidston’s care, the car received a complete, eight month restoration. Upon completion, the car was shown at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2007 and then participated in the Ecosse Tour through Scotland.
In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was estimated to sell for $700,000 – $900,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $880,000 inclusive of buyer’s premium.

Sold 2010
Spider with hardtop and delivered new to the USA.
It was restored and ended up in Germany in the early 1990s.

Sold 2008

Was for sale 2011 after suffering a fire years before. “My name is Andrew Howarth and I am the owner of the Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS Spyder Chassis AM115S491267, the car referred to a couple of times in this thread.

Unfortunately, the car is now the subject of legal case after the car was effectively ‘smuggled’ out of the UK (along with 4.7 Coupe AM1151556) and shipped to the US where I bought it from in 2008. This happened in August 2012. I had fully intended to restore the vehicle, however, other projects got in the way and I put it up for sale.

Whilst the litigation rumbles on and I await the return of my cars I would ask all of you members in the States to just be careful should you be offered either car,

Andrew Howarth”

“This Ghibli Spider SS VIN AM115.S.49.1267 is now in Auto Storica a Premium Restoration Center in Barcelona. This car never belonged to Andrew Howarth, he just tried to sale it.”

You decide who is telling the truth!

According to factory records supplied by Maserati historian Dr. Adolfo Orsi Jr., this 4.9 SS Spider, chassis 1273, was originally finished in the elegant period color scheme of Oro Longchamps (Longchamps Gold) with Marrone (Brown) Connolly leather upholstery. Manufactured for sale in the US market, this Ghibli was originally equipped with a ZF five-speed manual gearbox, Campagnolo cast alloy wheels, Pirelli tires, a Blaupunkt AM/FM radio, and Veglia instruments calibrated in miles per hour.
The manufacturer’s certificate of origin was issued on December 7, 1971, and, in January 1972, the Ghibli Spider was shipped by boat to the US and then delivered to Grossman Motor Car Corporation, the official Maserati dealer located in West Nyack, New York.
On April 28, 1972, the 4.9 SS was delivered to its first private owner, Irene Young of Westport, Connecticut. Although factory records document service work carried out by Grossman through fall 1972, little else is known about the car’s earliest history. In 1987, Florida-based exotic car dealer Ed Waterman acquired the gold Ghibli Spider, then showing about 54,000 miles, in a package of cars sourced by Bruce Haley of New Jersey. The Maserati was then sold to Midvo Leasing Inc. of Worthington, Ohio, and remained in the US through the early 1990s.
By spring 1993, the Ghibli Spider had been sold to Swedish Maserati importer Ulf Sundberg and in 1999 it was shown at the Maserati Classic International at Goodwood. Soon after, the Ghibli was sold to Lennart Liden of Vence, France, who entrusted the car to Maserati specialist Candini in Modena, for servicing in fall 2005. More recently, the Ghibli Spider returned to the US and was owned by Jacques Pozzo di Borgo, the owner of Maseratisource and MIE Corporation, two of the foremost Maserati parts specialists.
Today, the Ghibli Spider is finished in a handsome triple black color scheme, although the older cosmetic restoration is beginning to show its age. As such, this Maserati could be driven and enjoyed in its current condition for a few years, then restored to its glamorous original color scheme and debuted on the concours circuit. Included with the sale of this 4.9 SS is a report prepared by Maserati historian Dr. Adolfo Orsi Jr., which includes a chronological history and copies of important factory documents including the build sheets, certificate of origin, sales invoice, as well as early shipping and service records.

For Sale at Auction here

Update July 2024 “After purchase at the Gooding 2020 Amelia Island auction this car was the subject of a complete frame off restoration prior to its sale to the current owner. It will be debuted at Pebble Beach in 2024 in its original (as she left the factory) interior and exterior colours.”
Coming up for auction here

Photo taken 2004

Originally gold with tan interior, wire-wheels
Converted to 5 speed in the late eighties

Sold 2000

Image shared to Ferrarichat 2021

AM 115/S 49 1291 – sold new into the UK in 1970 & originally Bronze with Black Leather
The car came to Australia in 2000 imported by owner Stephen Greg from the UK, when it arrived is was DK Blue with Magnolia Leather Trim, still has its original Hardtop, has Campagnolo Magnesium Wheels
Car re painted in Australia approx 2016 to Bronze & re trimmed with Tan Leather, for sale again February 2018

For sale here

Built in Oct 1971 and originally delivered with Auto-gearbox and Hardtop in colors rame / senape to Bob Grossman NY,
1st registration in April 1972 its US-provenance before Nov. 1987 is entirely unknown.
Today this magnificent Spyder has black exterior colour. The owner would be glad to receive any information about
previous ownerships in the US between 1972 and 1987.
E-Mail contact: sekretariat@deutschermaseraticlub.de

Photo taken 2004

The car was sold in Austria in 1969
Completely Restored in 1990 in Germany
66 200 KM . Matching numbers
Sold 2013. Here’s a video showing the car.

For sale by
FRANCOLEMBO.COM
2020

Converted to track car.

Painted and restored by the famous Junior’s House of Color in California, this 1969 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 is one of just over 1,100 examples produced, and is perhaps the best condition Ghibli available on the market. Purchased by the current family ownership in 1971, the car was shipped from the Italian previous ownership to California where it spent the majority of its life. Beginning in 2002, the car began its 8 year long complete frame off restoration process. No expense was spared in this process, with billing totaling over $400,000. Powering the car are the numbers matching engine and manual gearbox, which have both been gone through during the process. Outside, the car is painted in the correct color code “Oro Metallizzato” (Metallic Gold) and looks incredible. The “Fuse” Campagnolo wheels are correct as well, and currently wear period style Avon radial tires. The interior shows just as nicely with the “White” Connoly leather seats, door cards and rear hatch surrounding areas. The black dash and carpet appear to be in excellent condition as well, and the wooden steering wheel is the perfect touch to complete the beautiful looks inside the car. All gauges, switches and the radio appear to be in top shape, and the car currently shows 50,787km on the odometer. It is estimated that just about 100 miles have been put on the car since the completion of the restoration process, with meticulous care and service completed at Restoration and Performance Motorcars in Vermont. Included with the car are files detailing some of the restoration work as well as upkeep services in the most recent years. Engine Number: AM115 1310 Gearbox: Manual Type ZF S5.325 Rims: “Fuse” Campagnolo External Color: “Oro Metallizzato” (Metallic Gold) (Salchi code 106Y54) Interior: “White” leather (Connoly code PAC.1544) VIN: AM1151310 Odometer Reading at Listing: 50,787km EBay Sept 2023

Believed written off. Engine was found in Philadelphia from crashed Ghibli #AM115.1312 which will be fitted to #AM115.108

For sale in June 1997 by rouillac.

For Sale April 2024 .Black with tan interior. 5-speed ZF transmission. Very accurate high-quality restoration documented with a binder of photos and receipts. It runs and drives very smoothly, and without apologies. Part of a private collection of vintage Italian sports cars. Can be seen and driven in Virginia, USA near Dulles International Airport and Washington, DC. US$189, 000

Sold Aug 2014

Lots of work to do!