
Maserati Merak (1972-83)
Production Total: The total production of the Maserati Merak was **1,830 units** between 1972 and 1983.
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Price New: In 1972, the new price of a Maserati Merak in the UK was approximately **£6,000**.
£6,000 in 1972 is equivalent to approximately **£80,000** today.
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Rivals: In 1972, the prices of some of the main rivals of the Maserati Merak in the UK were as follows:
- **Ferrari 308 GTB**: Approximately **£3,500**.
- **Porsche 911**: Around **£3,000**.
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Recorded in UK 2025
As of 2025, the DVLA records **approximately 28 Maserati Merak** cars on UK roads.
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PLEASE NOTE: The information provided below is given in averages across Northern Ireland at the date specified. Petrol reflect average prices for four star fuel in litres.
Road Tax: In 1972, the road tax for a Maserati Merak in the UK would have been based on its engine size and horsepower. Given that the Maserati Merak had an engine capacity of around 3.0 litres, the road tax would have been approximately **£12 per year**.
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Petrol: In 1972, the average price of four-star petrol in the UK was around **31 pence per litre**.
Using historical inflation data, **31 pence per litre** of petrol in 1972 would be approximately **£4.50 per litre** in 2025.
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Insurance: Based on these considerations, the estimated annual insurance cost for a Maserati Merak in 1972 in the UK would likely have been between £200 and £400. This estimate assumes that the driver had a clean driving record and was insuring under standard conditions.
Thus, the equivalent cost of insuring a Maserati Merak in 2025 would be approximately between £2,800 and £5,600 annually, adjusted for inflation.
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Common Faults
Please Note: Common Faults in Regularly Used Vehicles vs. Low-Mileage Stored Vehicles that have been used consistently over many years, accumulating approximately 10,000–12,000 miles annually, are more prone to common faults due to regular wear and tear. These issues typically arise from the natural aging of components subjected to frequent use, such as engine parts, suspension systems, brakes, and tires. In contrast, vehicles with low mileage that have been stored or preserved are likely to experience different types of issues. These vehicles are often better maintained to ensure their longevity and may avoid some of the typical wear-and-tear problems seen in regularly driven cars. However, they can still face unique challenges such as degradation of rubber seals, corrosion from prolonged inactivity, or fuel system issues caused by old or stagnant fuel.
The **Maserati Merak** had several common faults reported by owners:
1. **Transmission Issues**: Problems with the gearbox, including difficulty shifting gears and sticking in reverse.
2. **Electrical Problems**: Issues with the electrical system, such as difficulty starting the engine.
3. **Exhaust Problems**: White smoke or steam from the exhaust, often due to head gasket failures.
4. **Engine Issues**: Problems with the engine, including hesitation during start-up and potential issues with the liners.
5. **Suspension and Steering**: Complaints about the suspension and steering, including difficulty with the tires losing grip in certain conditions.
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Generations/Trim Levels
Please Note: Generations and Trim Levels Across Countries
Generations and trim levels of vehicles often vary between countries as manufacturers tailor models to meet the preferences and requirements of specific markets. For example, a trim level designated as “GL” in the UK might be labelled as “XS” in another country. Due to these regional differences, the information provided on this site pertains exclusively to UK-specific products.
The **Maserati Merak** was produced in **one generation** from **1972 to 1983**. It was available in the following trim levels:
- **Merak 2.0**: The base model with a 2.0-litre V6 engine producing around 160 horsepower - autoevolution](https://www.autoevolution.com/maserati/merak/).
- **Merak 3.0**: Upgraded version with a 3.0-litre V6 engine producing around 190 horsepower - autoevolution](https://www.autoevolution.com/maserati/merak/).
- **Merak SS**: The high-performance version with a 3.0-litre V6 engine producing around 210 horsepower - autoevolution](https://www.autoevolution.com/maserati/merak/).
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Engine
The **Maserati Merak** was available with two engine options:
1. **2.0-litre V6**: This engine produced around **170 horsepower** and **186 Nm of torque**.
2. **3.0-litre V6**: This engine produced around **220 horsepower** and **186 Nm of torque** in the Merak SS version.
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Performance
The **Maserati Merak** offered impressive performance for its time. Here's a breakdown of the performance for both engine options:
### **2.0-liter V6 Engine**:
- **Power Output**: 170 horsepower
- **Top Speed**: Approximately 137 mph (220 km/h)
- **0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) Acceleration**: Around 8.5 seconds
### **3.0-liter V6 Engine (Merak SS)**:
- **Power Output**: 220 horsepower
- **Top Speed**: Approximately 155 mph (250 km/h)
- **0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) Acceleration**: Around 6.5 seconds
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Rivals
In 1972, the main rivals of the **Maserati Merak** in the UK included the **Porsche 911** and the **Jaguar E-Type**. Here's a comparison of their performance:
- **Porsche 911**: The Porsche 911 offered various engine options, with the 2.4-liter flat-six engine producing around **190 horsepower** and **225 Nm of torque**. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in approximately **6.5 seconds** and had a top speed of around **150 mph** (241 km/h).
- **Jaguar E-Type**: The Jaguar E-Type had a 4.2-liter inline-six engine producing around **265 horsepower** and **365 Nm of torque**. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in around **6.0 seconds** and had a top speed of approximately **150 mph** (241 km/h).
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Designer/Dimensions
The **Maserati Merak** was designed by **Giorgetto Giugiaro** at **Italdesign**.
Here are the dimensions of the Maserati Merak:
- **Length**: 4335 mm (170.7 inches)
- **Width**: 1768 mm (69.6 inches)
- **Height**: 1134 mm (44.6 inches)
- **Wheelbase**: 2600 mm (102.4 inches)
- **Curb Weight**: 1400–1430 kg (3086–3153 lbs)
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Spares/Specialists NI
You can locate **Maserati Merak spares** in the UK and Ireland through several sources:
1. **Eurospares Ltd**: They offer a wide range of genuine and OEM parts for the Maserati Merak.
2. **McGrath Maserati**: They specialize in Maserati car parts and offer a variety of spares.
For **garage services** in Northern Ireland, you can consider:
1. **McMillan Specialist Cars**: Located in Antrim, they offer classic car restoration and a range of garage services.
2. **Eurofix Car Repairs**: Based in Dunmurry and Belfast, they specialize in restoring classic cars and offer services like welding, trimming, paintwork, and more.
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Racing
The **Maserati Merak** did not have a significant presence in professional racing circuits. It was primarily designed as a grand tourer for road use, offering a blend of performance and practicality. However, its design and engineering were influenced by Maserati's racing heritage, and it shared many components with the Maserati Bora, which had a more prominent racing background.
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Valuation
In 2025, the value of a **Maserati Merak** in the UK can vary depending on its condition, mileage, and specific trim level. Generally, prices range from **£30,000 to £70,000**.
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Clubs
There are **Maserati clubs** in Northern Ireland! You can join the **Maserati Club UK**, which has a broad network of members and organizes events, tours, and rallies across the UK, including Northern Ireland. They offer a packed calendar of activities and a great community for Maserati enthusiasts.
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