Exactly 50 years have passed since March 11, 1971, when in the International Geneva Motor Show was the setting for the premiere of Maserati Bora, the first rear center-mounted motorized street vehicle in the brand's history.
Following the trend that had already revolutionized the cars of F1 In previous years, Maserati asked Giorgetto Giugiaro, Italdesign, which was responsible for creating a sports vehicle with the engine mounted in the rear central position and with improvements in performance, design, comfort and safety.
The powertrain was the proven 8cc V4.700 that offered 310 CV to 6.000 rpm (joined by the 4.900cc unit that would arrive two years later), longitudinally mounted on a subframe installed on the monocoque.
The distinctive features of the vehicle include retractable headlights to avoid aerodynamic drag, a differential protruding from the rear axle, independent suspensions all-wheel drive (a first for a Maserati), disc brakes, single-disc dry clutch, five-speed gearbox and telescopic shock absorbers.
The Bora combined comfort and performance and had a maximum speed of 280 km / h, ensuring great driving pleasure thanks to the exceptionally agile response of the engine and its quiet interior.
While the engineering design of the vehicle bore the name of Giulio Alfieri, aerodynamics and styling were the work of Giugiaro, who created a two-seater coupe with simple, elegant lines that gave the Maserati Bora a balanced appearance.
The approach was futuristic with a low, slim, almost tapered nose designed to pierce the air, while the front grille was characterized by two rectangular air vents with a Trident in the center.
Both sides, perfectly smooth, were divided in the center by a thin black rubber molding, while the rear ended in a truncated tail.
The result was a trendsetting car, with fluid and streamlined shapes, with a typical '70s rock character that remains popular with enthusiasts today. Its production ended in 1978 with a final number of 564 units.
