Introduced at the 1966 Turin Motor Show, the Maserati Ghibli took the automotive world by storm, powered by a potent new 4.7-liter dry-sump V-8 engine capable of developing 310 horsepower.

Showgoers were awestruck by the groundbreaking coachwork by Ghia’s Giorgetto Giugiaro, who penned a low and wide aerodynamic coupe featuring pop-up headlamps, a raked windshield, and a sweeping fastback rear end.

The Ghibli soon became the preferred choice of jet-set celebrities around the globe, finding favor with A-list buyers as diverse as comedic actor Peter Sellers, French New Wave cinema star Jean-Paul Belmondo, entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr, and professional basketball player Wilt Chamberlain.

As with any great sports car coupe, customer demand eventually skyrocketed for an open-top version, and Maserati answered the call with a spyder that debuted on Ghia’s stand at the 1968 Turin Motor Show.

With the roof removed, the coachwork design took on a totally different character, emphasizing the ...