Premiering in 1966, the Ghibli served as a significant update of Maserati’s aging lineup of 2+2 grand touring cars, technically replacing the very low production V8 powered 5000 GT of which only 35 were made. It also essentially replaced the inline 6 cylinder powered Sebring, which ceased production in 1969, leaving the Ghibli as Maserati’s sole 2+2 offering, overlapping with the Ghibli for about half the production run. The shape of the car was penned by Biurgetto Giugiaro, who had just joined Ghia, coming form Bertone, The Ghibli built on Maserati’s reputation for excellent engine design and high performance cars and was not only Maserati’s first real supercar but was also a practical, useable GT car. With a staggeringly quick top speed of nearly170 MPH and 0-100 MPH is less than 16 seconds in 1966, making it competitive even with contemporaries such as the Ferrari Daytona. Like its predecessor, the 5000GT, the engine was based on that of the 450S Sports Racer detuned for street use. It was all aluminum, made in 4.7 liters of displacement until 1970 when it was upgraded to 4.9 liters, more to offset emissions losses than for additional power. This example is a 1968 model with several early features many of which changed over the course of production, largely due to safety and emissions regulations that were phased in through the late 1960s and 1970s. Factory power steering was an option, but this car, like most early cars did not have it. As the steering was unsually heavy when I first bought the car, I had a very well made electric power steering conversion installed on it, which replaced the original steering column with a speed sensitive system that made steering incredibly easy, but revealed that the problem with the steering was actually due to someone having put the wrong size ball bearings in the steering box, which is now fixed. That said, these cars are known for heavy steering so the power steering upgrade certainly is still an improvement. The car is truly an Italian muscle car, with a massive amount of low end torque for great acceleration coupled with the rumble of the V8 engine. At the same time it is very comfortable to drive and despite its low roof, has a very good seating position and is comfortable to taller drivers, though perhaps not good for anyone forced to sit in the miniscule back seat. The interior is well designed and attractive. Handling, now that the steering is fixed is vastly improved and befits its grand touring capability. The only complaint in driving now is the ZF gearbox which has a very short throw between gears and it is easy to accidentally skip gears. In all the car is overall a great touring car, living up to being one of the best cars Maserati ever made.