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1963 Maserati 3500 GTi news, pictures, and information

Coupe
Coachwork: Touring
Chassis Num: 101.2156
Engine Num: 101.2156
 
Maserati produced the 3500 from 1957-1964 and made approximately 2,223 examples. With this model, Maserati was now able to compete with Ferrari.

The 3500 GTi and the 3500 GTis were introduced in 1961 as the first fuel-injected Italian production car. It had a Lucas fuel injection system, two spark plugs per cylinder, and generated 235 horsepower. A 5-speed ZF S5-17 gearbox was now standard (3.02:1, 1.85:1, 1.29:1, 1:1, 0.85:1), as well as disc brakes all around. The body had a lowered roofline and became somewhat longer; minor outward changes appeared as well (new grille, rear lights, vent windows).

This vehicle has a 98-inch wheelbase and a five-speed manual transmission. It creates 230 horsepower at 5500 rpm and reaches a top speed of 148 mph. This car has had a complete restoration focusing on the paint, interior of the car and mechanicals. It was sold new in Switzerland and imported to the United States in the 1970s. A complete cosmetic and mechanical restoration was completed in 2007. It is one of three cars fitted at the factory with side exhausts.
Convertible
Coachwork: Vignale
Chassis Num: AM1011457
 
Sold for $297,000 at 2012 RM Auctions.
During the 1950s, Maserati was essentially a specialized constructor of highly developed sports-racing and grand prix automobiles. Their success with these few road cars combined with the tragic failure of the company's constructor's world championship racing team in 1957 convinced the company's owners, the Orsi family, that a new direction was needed.

At the 1957 Geneva Show, Maserati introduced their 3500GT with standard coachwork provided by Touring. Maserati had hoped to capitalize on the successes of their six-cylinder 250F GP car (which is considered the best built, most balanced and best driving of the front-engined GP cars) and its 300S sports-racing sibling.

Development and refinement continued on the Maserati 3500GT throughout its production lifespan. In 1960, Maserati selected Alfredo Vignale to build a Spyder version. It was built atop a shorter (by 100mm) wheelbase and given subtle, yet distinctive, design differences. These differences included the grille emblem, hood scoop, and the fender top line which was straight on the 3500GT but had a distinctive drop in front of the rear fender in the Vignale Spyder.

Production of the Vignale Spyder version continued for six years with a mere 227 examples produced during that time.

This car was once in the John Bookout collection before being acquired by its current owner. It has been well cared for its entire life and is in top mechanical and cosmetic condition. It has a set of Weber dual throat side draft carburetors, a ZF five-speed gearbox, and four-wheel power assisted disc brakes. The suspension has been professionally lowered by two-inches for better handling.

It is finished in triple black with original leather seats.

In 2008, this Maserati 3500GT Spyder was offered for sale at the Hilton Head Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by Worldwide Auctioneers. It had an estimated value of $225,000 - $275,000. Bidding reached $211,200, including buyer's premium, which was suitable to satisfy the vehicles reserve. The lot was sold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2008
Coupe
Coachwork: Touring
Chassis Num: 101.2156
Engine Num: 101.2156
 
Following a terrible racing team accident during the 1957 racing season, Maserati retired from racing and shifted its focus to production automobiles, although the factory continued to build racing cars for individuals.

Chief engineer Giulio Alifieri built the six-cylinder Maserati 3500 GTI coupe, which features an aluminum body over Carrozeria Touring's superleggera structure.

Options on this 3500 GTI include factory side exhaust, Borrani alloy wheels, reclining passenger seat with headrest and Blaupunkt radio. The car was sold new in Sweden and brought to the United States in the 1970's. A recent total restoration was completed over a two year period.
Convertible
Coachwork: Vignale
Chassis Num: AM.101.1453
 
High bid of $190,000 at 2009 Worldwide Auctioneers. (did not sell)
During the mid-1950s, Maserati had focused much of their attention on producing racing cars. From those came highly developed sports-racing and grand prix automobiles that were based on racing car chassis and drivelines. They were expensive, rare, and each was individually built to order. The result was automobiles that were among the best of their era.

The production cars proved to be successful, both in terms of popularity and in sales. When the factory team tragically failed to capture the constructor's world championship in 1957, the Orsi family decided it was time for a new direction. At the 1957 Geneva Show, Maserati introduced the 3500GT. Touring had been chosen to craft the elegant coachwork and would provide the standard coachwork for the production vehicles. In 1960, Maserati selected Alfredo Vignale to build a Spyder on a 100mm shorter wheelbase 3500GT chassis. It was an immediate success and had subtle, yet distinct, differences from the Touring coupe. The list of similarities included the head and auxiliary light placement in the front fenders and windshields. Differences included the grille emblem, hood scoop, and the fender top line which was straight on the 3500GT, but had a distinctive drop in the front of the rear fender in the Vignale Spyder. The Spyder had a sloped rear fascia and taillight housings.

There were nearly 2,000 coupes and 242 Vignale convertibles constructed. This example was sold new on February 14th of 1963, to Antonio Turati of Milano, Italy. It was originally painted Nero (black) with champagne leather upholstery. It is equipped with disc brakes, a five-speed manual transmission and Borrani wire wheels. In the mid-1960s, it was sold to Carlo Cavallini of Milano, and then to Ital Bil, the Swedish Maserati importer. From there, the car passed to Uno Lingmark, Vallentuna, Sweden, in 1967. It is believed that the car stayed in his care for the next 17 years, where it wore registrations 'AA 8442' and later 'FXH 362.' The next owner was a Ferrari Specialist named Terry Hoyle of London. While in his care, the car was painted in period correct silver grey metallic and fitted with a new red leather interior. It was sold at auction in 1988 and then registered in 1990 to Jack Levy from Devon, United Kingdom. Mr. Levy commissioned a Maserati expert to perform a restoration before selling it in 1995. In 1996, it was again registered and later sold in 2004 to a private collector.

In 2009, this Vignale Spyder was offered for sale at the Houston Classic Auction in Seabrook, Texas, presented by Worldwide Auctioneers. The car was estimated to sell for $240,000 - $280,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had not been sold. Bidding had reached $190,000, but was not enough to satisfy reserve.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2009
Coupe
Coachwork: Touring
Chassis Num: 101-2640
Engine Num: 101-2640
 
Sold for $183,000 at 2011 Bonhams.
The Maserati 3500 GT was introduced at the Geneva auto show in 1957 and produced through 1964. In total, over 2,200 examples of the 2+2 pillarless coupe were built. The 3500 GT's alloy body was styled by Carrozzeria Touring and utilized the firm's Superleggera lightweight construction techniques.

The engine was a derivative of the world championship-winning Maserati Tipo 250F Formula 1 racer. The 3.5-liter DOHC six-cylinder engine offered 240 horsepower in carbureted form. The 1961-64 production was equipped with a ZF five-speed manual transmission, replacing the 4-speed used earlier. The GTi designation arrived in 1962, with the 'i' designation signifying a Lucas-sourced fuel injection system, introduced that year.

This example wears an older restoration with considerable refurbishment over the years. In 2011, this vehicle was offered for sale at the Quail Lodge auction presented by Bonhams. It was sold for the sum of $183,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.
The Maserati 3500 GT was produced from 1957 through 1964 with over 2000 examples being produced. The vehicle was penned by Carrozzeria Touring gathering many styling cues from the legendary Maserati A6G54 coupe. The 3500 GT is seen as a savior for the Maserati Company. Prior to its production, the company produced less than 140 cars in a ten year time span. Racing and competition nearly exhausted the funds; the company needed help. Becoming a mass-produced company and the widely accepted 3500 GT saved the company and allowed for Maserati to continue its racing efforts with the design and development of the famous birdcage design.

In March of 1957, the 3500 GT was shown to the public at the Geneva Motor Show. Two prototypes were shown; one was designed by Touring and the other by Allemano. The Touring design was a 2+2 coupe, which was later selected by Omer Orsi selected for production. There were minor modifications of the production design. The headlamps, radiator grille, and the dashboard were slightly modified but remained mostly unchanged.

Over the Maserati 3500 GT's production lifespan, many improvements were made. In 1960, front disc brakes became standard; also this year the four-speed manual gear was replaced by a ZF five-speed transmission. In 1961, disc brakes became standard on all four corners. In 1962 the engine was matted to a Lucas Fuel Injection system which increased horsepower by 15.

Under the hood was a 3.5 liter DOHC inline-six cylinder power-plant equipped with three side-draft two-barrel carburetors achieving 240 horsepower. The engine was an evolution of the Tipo 250F Formula 1 car. Top speed with the 3500 GT was achieved at 145 mph.

In 1960 Carrozziera Vignale introduced a 3500 spider which sat atop a shortened chassis. Other coachbuilders such as Allemano, Frua, Moretti, Bertone, and Boneschi produced bodies for the 3500 chassis.

The car was impressive both visually and mechanically. It was Maserati's first production car built in great numbers. During its eight year production lifespan, over 2225 examples of the Coupes and Spyders were produced.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2009
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Average Auction Sale: $130,063

 
Maserati: 1961-1970
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April 2013204 
March 2013218 
February 2013159 
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December 2012333 
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October 2012240 
September 2012269 
August 2012219 
July 2012208 
June 2012228 
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