If you’re unfamiliar with Italian automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, it’s well worth exploring his incredible contributions to car design. Giugiaro spent his early years working for Carrozzeria Ghia, a famed Italian design and coachbuilding firm. From 1959 to 1967, he produced a series of highly distinctive designs, and the vehicle featured here represents one of his final works for Ghia before establishing his own studio, ItalDesign. This remarkable car is the 1968 Maserati Simun, a prototype four-seater grand touring car designed by Giugiaro for Maserati. Initially finished in orange but later repainted in blue, the Simun briefly belonged to Alejandro de Tomaso—racing driver and founder of De Tomaso Automobili. The car’s name, ‘Simun,’ is derived from a fierce wind that sweeps across Saudi Arabia, embodying its powerful and striking presence. The Simun made its first public appearance at the 1968 Turin Motor Show. Sadly, this high-performance concept was not selected for production. Instead, Maserati favored another sleek four-seater fastback, designed by Virginio Vairo and Elio Mainardi. That competing model, eventually named the Maserati Indy, was presented alongside the Simun at the Turin show and was produced by Vignale from 1969 to 1975. The Simun, though, remains a one-off, is a testament to Giugiaro’s vision. Soon after this project, Giugiaro departed Ghia to focus on ItalDesign, where his legendary career would flourish. The only Maserati Simun ever built is currently housed at the Musée automobile Panini in Modena, Italy, part of the Panini family’s prestigious collection.
How many made? 1 of 1
Engine: 4.2 litre V8 - 256hp
Debut: 1967/1968 Turin Motor Show (debate exists over the precise year)
Top Speed: n/a
0-60: n/a
Photo Credit: @lefouduvolant_
Research: @rarecarsonly
1968 Maserati Simun
24.10.2024
Maserati