Grani and Partners 1:43 Maserati Ghibli coupe

1:43 scale modes continue to amaze me at the level of detailing found in even the basic pull back models, and there are even ones out there built for the collector though at a higher price.  This one from a company called Grani and Partners straddles the line between collector-focused detailing and the affordable price of a low-buck pullback model.

Joining the fray of exotic front-engine, rear drive grand touring sports cars is the Ghibli from Maserati, named after a hot Libyan desert wind and designed by Giugiaro for production in 1967.  The car had a wedge-shape look with concealed headlights and a lower grille, sleek coupe design, and rear valence panel almost similar to the Alfa Romeo Montreal, while the interior had a typical Italian sports car setup with posh leather and comprehensive gauge cluster just ahead of the shifter.  The engine is a 4.7L DOHC dry-sump oil V8 that produced 306 horsepower through a five-speed manual transmission.  The Ghibli name would continue onto a two-door coupe in the 1980’s and currently as a small four-door sedan underneath the Quattroporte.

Sitting in red paint that is nice and smooth with a tan interior this Maserati looks like one sleek sports car, though a few angles look quite odd on this car as they seem rather blunt than smooth.  The front has a silver grille surround with inner mesh pattern, signal lights and foglights, and trident badge inside the grille, along with a lower license plate, hood scoops that are deep, and separate chrome wiper blades.  The sides add chrome trim, dual gas cap doors on each C-pillar, more Maserati badges, and sleek wire wheels with spinner center cap on narrow rubber tires that properly fit this car.  The rear has rectangular tri-taillights, Maserati badges, Euro square plate, and just below the separate bumper are those awesome silver dual exhaust tip.

The base underneath is plastic and lacks a fine detailing expected for this scale range, though it does have the correct drivetrain and suspension layout, but on the other hand the interior looks splendid with front bucket seats in leather with rear seats that are covered up and used as part of the cargo area in the back.  The center console has a silver shift knob with boot covering, 3-spoke steering wheel and detailed gauges though not as crisp as I would’ve liked.  While there’s not much to write about from here, the car speaks for itself and it looks pretty good for a low-cost collectible item based on a sleek Italian sports car.