Registration No: NKH 37
Chassis No: 117171
MOT: Exempt

• Maserati's first mid-engine sports car
• Penned by the great Giorgetto Giugiaro, ‘Designer of the Century’
• UK, right-hand drive example, believed 1 of just 44 made
• Current ownership for over 40 years
• 35,925 recorded and credible miles displayed
• Previously driven by Sir Stirling Moss OBE

PLEASE NOTE: This lot has now received a new battery, new fuel hose and fresh fuel and is said to be running ‘well’. The hydraulics are also operating the pedals, seat, headlamp pods and brakes however it will still require recommissioning before returning to the road and upon arrival to the auction venue it would not start.

For exotic, head-turning, heart-stoppingly gorgeous Italian supercars, the early 1970s were the golden years. At that time, the automotive rule book had been thrown in the bin and thus began a plethora of designs that still look sharp today. The Lamborghini Countach, De Tomaso Pantera, Lancia Stratos and Ferrari 365 GT4 BB and all of those memorable heavily raked wedge-shaped concept cars started rolling out of dirty and chaotic southern European factories. The common link? Most were mid-engined in the endeavour to bring the race car experience to the customer out on the public roads. Post Miura, this was the legacy that saw the supercar taken to the next level.

Introduced at the 1971 Geneva Salon, the Bora was Maserati's first mid-engined supercar. Funded by parent Citroen its menacing Giorgetto Giugiaro penned silhouette clothed a sophisticated steel monocoque chassis equipped with all-round double-wishbone independent suspension and the French manufacturer's latest generation hydraulic hardware. Thus, able to boast power-assistance for its rack and pinion steering, four-wheel disc brakes, retractable headlights, single-plate clutch and adjustable pedal box, the Bora was a world away from its Lamborghini Miura rival in terms of refinement. Cradled by a dedicated subframe, its quad twin-choke Weber DCNF fed 4719cc DOHC V8 engine was mated to a ZF 5-speed DS-25/2 transaxle (as used by the Ford GT40). Credited with 310bhp and 339lbft of torque, the Bora was reputedly capable of 168mph and 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds. Praised by the contemporary motoring press for their verve and composure, a mere 289 4.7litre Boras are thought to have left the Trident factory.

First registered in the UK as a right-hand drive UK car on 25^th August 1971, ‘NKH 37’ was purchased by the vendor and owned since 15^th February 1984, with 2 previous owners recorded, the Bora has now resided in current ownership for some 40 years. Finished in Silver with Beige with Black leather trim, ‘NKH 37’ was once driven by Sir Stirling Moss at a race meeting, not competitively we might add, however, there is a photograph on file. Alas, the car has not run in the last 20 years, and now comes from dry storage. Due to various commitments, the car was then put into storage - a heated garage, in 1991. We are advised the car has good mechanics and was running well with no problems prior to storage, however, it would require some restoration, for example, there is some corrosion at the bottom of the doors. No restoration work has ever been carried out by the vendor in his ownership, the Bora only requiring normal care and servicing whilst in use. The current mileage is 38,000, with the last MOT recording 35,950 miles. It will require recommissioning before hitting the road once more and is offered with a current V5C Registration Document.

For more information, please contact:
James McWilliam
james.mcwilliam@handh.co.uk
07943 584760