The 1971 Geneva Salon’s star attraction unquestionably belonged to the breathtaking Maserati Bora. With the unveiling of the Bora, the esteemed Modenese automaker joined the ranks of other supercar creators by embracing the mid-engined layout, while simultaneously bidding farewell to its traditional tubular chassis technology, embracing instead unitary construction.

Named after a wind from the Adriatic, the Bora’s striking bodyshell was the creation of Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Ital Design. The heart of this machine was Maserati’s renowned four-cam V8, residing in 4.7-liter form within the mid-mounted engine compartment. The five-speed transaxle was sourced from ZF, and the all-independent double-wishbone suspension was a creation of Giulio Alfieri, who also had a hand in designing the legendary 250F Formula 1 Grand Prix car.

As one of the pioneering ‘new generation’ models emerging post Maserati’s acquisition by Citroën, the Bora ingeniously incorporated Citroën’s hydraulic technology, enabling adjustable seats and pedals, headlamp elevation, and delivering exceptional power-assisted brakes. The sleek and aerodynamic design, paired with a potent 310bhp engine, propelled this car to remarkable speeds; its top speed exceeded 160mph (258km/h).

Not only was the Bora swift, but it also offered outstanding acceleration, agile handling, and superior braking capabilities, creating a harmonious package. Subsequently, a 4.9-liter version further escalated its performance, making the Bora even swifter and more captivating.

Source: Bonhams