Maserati was facing difficult times when Citroën purchased the legendary Italian automotive company in 1968. The incredibly high-performance mid-engine models of Lamborghini, Miura, and its other competitors were fast outpacing Maserati sports cars that, quite frankly, seemed inferior.
A crucial step in Citroën’s strategy to rejuvenate Maserati was the release of the Bora in 1971. The first new Maserati model in approximately a decade, the Bora distinguished itself by blending incredible speed and handling with an unprecedented emphasis on comfort and ease of use.
The 1974 Maserati Bora 4.7 that will hit the Sotheby’s auction block on October 24 is one of only 42 Bora 4.7s that Maserati manufactured to meet the specifications set by the Roads and Highways Department. This striking vehicle underwent an extensive $172,900 restoration from 2010 to 2011 at McGrath Maserati — a high-end English auto shop that has long been regarded as international experts on the Maserati brand.