Maserati Merak

During the restoration of the Maserati Merak, we were tasked with replacing the clutch and flywheel. Since nearly the entire rear-wheel drive assembly had to be dismantled to complete this task, we consulted with the client and decided to renew the entire rear suspension as well.

The Maserati Merak shares its engine with the Citroën SM, which is a fascinating collaboration between two iconic brands. In the 1970s, Citroën briefly owned Maserati and tasked the Italian brand with developing a powerful engine for the Citroën SM, a luxury grand tourer known for its advanced hydropneumatic suspension. The result was a 3.0-liter V6 engine, which became the heart of both the SM and the Merak, bringing together French engineering and Italian performance. This cross-brand collaboration not only helped elevate both models but also created unique challenges in sourcing parts decades later.

Finding parts for the Merak's engine, especially the flywheel and clutch, can be difficult due to the car’s limited production. To address this, we sought assistance from the Citroën SM Club in France. Their club warehouse still had old stock, and we were able to source a new flywheel and pressure plate—an essential find for this project.

Once all the parts were restored to like-new condition and the car was fully reassembled, we took it out for a test drive. However, we quickly noticed that the engine’s power and timing were off. To correct this, we adjusted the valve clearances and double-checked the timing of both the crankshaft and camshaft. After fine-tuning the ignition and carburetion, the car's performance improved significantly. The result? A Maserati Merak that not only runs smoothly but is an absolute thrill to drive, blending the best of Italian design and French innovation. This restoration has truly brought this unique classic back to life.