Guide: Maserati Boomerang
Background
Between the late 1960s and early 1970s, three of Italy’s most highly rated automotive design studios were engaged in a battle that resulted in some of the most extraordinary looking vehicles of the 20th century.
The early Wedge era saw Bertone, Pininfarina and Ital Design go head-to-head as each tried to outdo the other with ever more extreme interpretations of the new straight-line discipline.
Established in 1968 by ex-Fiat, Bertone and Ghia stylist, Giorgetto Giugiaro, Ital Design was the new kid on the block. In a short space of time, Giugiaro’s firm had produced the show-stopping Bizzarrini Manta (1968), Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Iguana (1969) and Porsche Tapiro (1970).
However, it was the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33-based Carabo displayed at the Paris Motor Show in October 1968 that had first set the world alight. Designed by Giugiaro’s great rival, Marcello Gandini at Bertone, the Carabo’s outrageous wedge profile and scissor doors ensured it became an overnight sensation.
Bertone then unveiled the even more extreme Lancia Stratos Zero at the 1970 Turin Motor Show.
Not to be outdone, Ital Design were working on their own mid-engined creations for 1971.
First to arrive was the Maserati Bora at the Geneva Motor Show in March. This comparatively restrained machine was destined for production, so had to be more conservative than some of Bertone and Pininfarina’s futuristic concepts.
Then, on October 30th 1971, Ital Design unveiled their own styling showcase at the Turin Salon.
Based on Bora running gear, the Maserati Boomerang was a radical straight-lined wedge with the most extreme profile possible.
Bodywork
Originally painted orange, the Boomerang’s body was an elaborate mix of sharp angles and expansive glass.
By 1971, retractable headlights were de rigueur and essential to create the kind of wedge profile sought by Giugiaro.
The trapezoidal windscreen had a rake of 13°, which gave the impression of a single continuous line from nose to roof.
At just 42-inches high, the Boomerang was 2.5-inches lower than the Bora upon which it was based.
The doors opened in conventional fashion, but they housed unusual three-piece windows that were split horizontally by a body coloured waist line.
Slatted intakes located behind each door fed cool air into the engine bay.
A swage line ran down each flank, over each wheel and around the tail to break up the otherwise flat-sided design.
Enormous buttresses were located either side of the engine cover which, aside from a vented power bulge, was almost completely flat.
The tail fascia was home to custom light clusters and outlets for the twin rectangular exhaust pipes per side.
Interior
The interior was equally futuristic.
Undoubtedly the most attention-grabbing feature was an oversized steering column that emerged from a sloping single-piece dash. Only the steering wheel rim was visible; it rotated around the column by way of five telescopic spokes.
Housed in the centre of the steering column was an array of stationary instrumentation and switchgear. Mounted above the large 8000rpm tach was a semi-circle of smaller gauges for fuel, oil pressure, oil temperature, water temperature and battery condition.
Underneath the rev counter were stalks for the indicators and main beam plus three rocker switches also mounted in a semi-circular fashion. These controlled headlight actuation, the auxiliary fan and the windscreen wiper.
For safety reasons, the steering column was connected to a chain that prevented the column moving backwards in the event of a frontal collision.
The seats were plush, heavily reclined well-padded buckets with integral headrests. Neither the backs nor the headrests could be adjusted.
The seats were divided by a thick centre console that was home to a gear lever with leather-gaiter and the rest of the switchgear.
Chassis
Like the Bora, the Boomerang’s chassis was a pressed steel monocoque with a 2600mm wheelbase and tubular steel rear subframe for the engine / gearbox.
Suspension was fully independent via double wishbones all round (a first for a Maserati road car). Coil springs and telescopic dampers were fitted to each corner along with anti-roll bars at either end.
The Boomerang chassis was numbered 081.
Advanced high pressure hydraulics were used to control the ventilated four wheel disc brakes, power-assisted steering, retractable headlights and clutch command.
Like the production Bora, the Boomerang also used 15 x 7.5-inch wheels. For this latest application, an entirely new design was adopted with four finned columns topped by rectangular ventilation slots. Low profile tyres were used.
Engine / Gearbox
Although some period reviews suggested the Boomerang came with a competition-spec. engine, a standard Bora powerplant was actually employed.
This was the latest version of Maserati’s all-alloy dual overhead camshaft 90° V8. It featured two valves per cylinder and displaced 4719cc thanks to a bore and stroke of 93.9mm and 85mm respectively.
Mounted longitudinally in the chassis, the engine came with Bosch electronic ignition, an 8.5:1 compression ratio and four Weber 42 DCNF downdraught carburettors.
Peak output was 310bhp at 6000rpm and 340lb-ft at 4200rpm.
Transmission was via a ZF five-speed manual gearbox, single dry-plate clutch and limited-slip differential.
To reduce noise and vibration, the engine and gearbox were mounted on a subframe attached to the monocoque via four flexible mounts.
Weight / Performance
Weight was quoted as 1400kg and top speed was an anticipated 175mph.
As per the Bora, 0-62mph required 6.2 seconds.
Subsequent History
After starring at Turin in late 1971, the Boomerang returned to Ital Design where it was transformed into a fully operational vehicle.
It next appeared at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1972, by which time it had been repainted silver.
In addition to a huge Maserati trident and Ital Design logo (added to the nose), the Boomerang had by this time been equipped with functional lighting, a windscreen wiper and an array of extra cooling solutions. The interior had been revamped with new ribbed seat centres, matching door panels and a full complement of instrumentation.
Subsequently shown in Paris, London and Barcelona, the Boomerang was sold to a Benidorm nightclub owner in 1974.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Ital Design - http://www.italdesign.it
