1972 Maserati Bora

In the late 1960s, Maserati was taken over by Citroen, after years of instability the business now had reliable, solid financial backing that would allow them to develop cars that could truly compete. The resulting partnerships would deliver numerous benefits to Citroen, both engineering know-how and the power plant for their flagship SM.

But Maserati benefitted too. In 1971 after approval after Citroen’s takeover, Maserati launched the Bora, its first road-going mid-engined supercar. The Bora changed public perception of Maserati, from a brand that produced pretty but ageing machines to a brand at the forefront of automotive development.

This particular Bora is a special example of just 564 examples produced, already rare, the rareness continues, as an early 4.7-litre it is one of just 289 examples and finally, as a right-hand-drive example, it is one of just 42. It is believed that this could be the fifth right-hand-drive Bora ever built.

Originally, this car was supplied new to Leslie Leston, better known, as Les Leston. A name that has adorned steering wheels and other accessories for decades. Les was a racing driver’s, racing driver. 1954 Formula 3 champion and three-time Formula 1 Grand Prix driver.

The exterior is finished in Blue Ischia Metallic, a deep shade of Metallic blue with a contrasting roof. The exterior is in excellent condition, and the paintwork retains a deep and lustrous shine, though there are some age-related marks. This of course is to be expected of a near 20-year-old paint job.

The dark shade complements the Bora’s 70s shape perfectly. The exterior brightwork is all in great condition, as are the light clusters, whilst the car proudly wears its Ital Design badging. The wheels are Campagnolo items and are in acceptable condition, there is no major damage but there is some corrosion under the paintwork. They’re wrapped in a matching set of Pirelli P4000 tyres.

Step inside and you’re greeted with the 1970s, the seats, centre console and door cards are all wrapped in luxurious cream leather with contrasting blue piping. The dash and carpet, however, take the contrasting piping and extend it, the blue and the cream work well together. The interior is in great condition, with all the gauges, switches and dials working as they should. Somewhat ironically, the car retains its original steering wheel, not a Les Leston item!

In the engine bay, you’re met with the aforementioned 4.7-litre V8, mid-mounted. It delivers its power through a 5-speed ZF transaxle to the rear wheels. The engine is in excellent shape, thanks to a full engine rebuild by McGrath Maserati in September 2012, costing more than £30,000. But that's not the only bit of maintenance this Maserati has been treated to.

Its history file is extensive, to say the least, in 2021, the Bora went back to McGrath for a full inspection, major service, underside renovations and other jobs that amounted to more than £18,000. Throughout the last few years, more than £50,000 has been spent to maintain the car to the highest of standards.

This Bora is surely one of the finest examples available, restored sympathetically in the early 2000s by Campana Modena, and subsequently, maintained, fettled and improved throughout the last 20+ years by specialists like McGrath Maserati.

Few cars make a splash like a Maserati, but this one especially with its combination of incredible ownership history and equally impressive maintenance records makes it the perfect opportunity to enter into Maserati ownership.

As with all our vehicles, a full digital folder is available on request containing more images, walk-around videos, and scans of the service history. The car can also be viewed by appointment at our West London showroom.