conceptcarz.com

1962 Maserati 5000 GT

Just thirty-four examples of the Maserati 5000 GT were built between 1959 and 1966. Its existence is owed to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of the Imperial State of Iran, who wanted an even more exclusive and powerful version of the Maserati 3500. He commissioned Maserati's chief engineer Giulio Alfieri to create a new supercar using the same V-8 engine found in the 450S sports racing car. The result was the 5000 GT, known internally as Tipo 103.

1962 Maserati 5000 GT photo
Coupe by Frua
Chassis #: 103.060
Engine #: 103.060
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
Bertone was initially chosen to provide the coachwork, but Carrozzeria Touring was selected at the behest of Maserati executive Adolfo Orsi. The superleggera tubing and aluminum coachwork for the two-seater coupe was developed by Touring and was based on the six-cylinder 3500GT, with an independent front suspension consisting of coil springs, tubular shock absorbers and an anti-roll bar. The live rear axle was suspended by leaf springs, aided by tubular shocks and a second anti-roll bar. The potent 4,941cc V8 engine necessitated disc brakes be placed at all four corners instead of the previous front disc and rear drum setup. Per instructions from Oris, the exterior styling was distinct from the 3500 GT it was based on. The unique grille penned by chief designer Carlo Anderloni used the Persian Baroque architecture as inspiration.

The first two examples wore Touring coachwork while additional bodies were provided from Monterosa, Bertone, Pinin Farina, Ghia, Frua, Michelotti and Allemano. It is believed that Vignale bodied an open car. Allemano built as many as 20 of the 34 (possibly 32) examples. The three examples bodied by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan are often referred to as the 'Scia di Persia' (Shah of Persia).

The 5000 GT was officially introduced at the 1959 Turin Salon and its list of elite clientele would include such figures as Gianni Agnelli, Briggs Cunningham, Stewart Granger, Ferdinando Innocenti, and the Aga Khan. The first example was sent to the Shah of Iran and was rarely seen in public. The second example, acquired by South African millionaire and Kyalami track owner Basil Read, was displayed at the 1959 Turin Motor Show.

Incremental Updates
Engine displacement increased to 4,940cc in 1960 thanks to a smaller bore and longer stroke. The carburetor setup was replaced by a fuel injection system, boosting output to 340 hp. With the increase in performance, the four-speed gearbox was replaced by a sturdier five-speed ZF transaxle with a twin plate clutch and an updated overdrive gear ratio. Ventilated disc brakes resided at all four corners.

1962 Maserati 5000 GT photo
Coupe by Allemano
Chassis #: 103.046
Engine #: 103.046
View info and history
Auction entries : 3
A fuel-injected 500 GT was displayed in 1960 at the Salone di Torino (Turin Salon).

Comparing the 3500 GT with the 5000 GT
The 3500 GT
The Maserati 3500 GT had a 102.4-inch wheelbase for the coupe and a 98.4-inch platform for the spyder, with the coupe measuring 188.2 inches in length and the spyder was 13 inches shorter. The 3.5-liter engine had a long stroke and was initially designed for endurance racing on the Maserati 350S. The DOHC, 12-valve unit had a 3.4-inch bore and 3.9-inch stroke, an aluminum block and cylinder heads, cast iron cylinder sleeves, and hemispherical combustion chambers. With three twin-choke 42 DCOE Weber carburetors, the engine produced nearly 220 bhp at 5,500 RPM. When fitted with Lucas mechanical fuel injection, output rose to 230 bhp. Initially, the transmission was a four-speed ZF S4-17 gearbox, later replaced by a ZF S5-17 5-speed unit. Girling 12-inch finned drum brakes all round provided the stopping power, with the front later receiving discs which were later fitted to the rear.

Production of the Maserati 3500 GT, available as a 2+2 coupe by Carrozzeria Touring and a spyder by Giovanni Michelotti at Vignale, lasted from 1957 to 1964, with 2,226 examples created.

1962 Maserati 5000 GT photo
Coupe by Allemano
Chassis #: 103.046
Engine #: 103.046
View info and history
Auction entries : 3
The Comparison
The Maserati 5000 GT was based on the coupe platform of the 3500 GT, and both had a 102.4-inch wheelbase. The 3.5-liter engine in the 3500 GT produced 220 hp, while the 4.9-liter V8 in the 5000 GT produced offered approximately 340 horsepower. To cope with the higher output, the platform of the 5000 GT was strengthened, though some components were carried over, including the independent live axles and the braking system.

The Maserati 3500 GT was priced at approximately $11,500 (USD) for the coupe and $12,300 for the Spyder. The Maserati 5000 GT was priced in excess of $14,000, with Reza Pahlavi paying approximately $15,000 for his, and others in the neighborhood of $17,000.


by Daniel Vaughan | May 2023

Related Reading : Maserati 5000 GT History

The Shah of Persia, now Iran, visited Maserati in 1958 in search of an exclusive supercar. He was a Maserati enthusiast and greatly enjoyed their offerings. A test drive in a Maserati 3500 GT amplified his determination to have the Maserati, but it was not exclusive as he would like. Information pertaining to the Maserati 450S caught his eye. The story with the Maserati 450S models goes back a....
Continue Reading >>

1962 Maserati 5000 GT Vehicle Profiles

1962 Maserati 5000 GT vehicle information
Coupe

Coachwork: Allemano
Chassis #: AM103.028
1962 Maserati 5000 GT vehicle information
Coupe

Coachwork: Allemano
Chassis #: AM103 040
Engine #: AM103 040
1962 Maserati 5000 GT vehicle information
Coupe

Coachwork: Allemano
Chassis #: 103.046
Engine #: 103.046
1962 Maserati 5000 GT vehicle information
Coupe

Coachwork: Frua
Chassis #: 103.060
Engine #: 103.060

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

5000 GT

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
102.36 in.
8 cyl., 301.52 CID., 325.00hp
102.36 in.
8 cyl., 301.52 CID., 325.00hp
102.36 in.
8 cyl., 301.52 CID., 350.00hp
102.36 in., 104.00 in.
8 cyl., 301.52 CID., 340.00hp
104.00 in.
8 cyl., 301.52 CID., 350.00hp

Related Automotive News

1932 Duesenberg J Figoni Sports Torpedo Named Best of Show at the 71st Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

1932 Duesenberg J Figoni Sports Torpedo Named Best of Show at the 71st Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

2022 Charitable Donations Surpass %242.67 Million A unique Duesenberg reprised its early role as Concours winner by taking the top prize at the Pebble Beach Concours dElegance. This year, 40 classic cars from 18 countries and 33 states pulled...
Phenomenal Ferraris and Italian Thoroughbreds Offered at Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auctions

Phenomenal Ferraris and Italian Thoroughbreds Offered at Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auctions

The auction house announced a stable of Italian star cars, including a 1950 Ferrari 166 MM Berlinetta Le Mans, a 1961 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Series I Coupe Aerodinamico, and a 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Series I Spider. A stunning group of star...
1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahn Kurier Named Best of Show at the 70th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahn Kurier Named Best of Show at the 70th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

Long recognized as a superlative showcase of automotive history, the Pebble Beach Concours dElegance made history of its own at the culmination of its 70th celebration a total of 38 former Best of Show cars were on hand to welcome a new winner to their...
Maserati Celebrates The 60Th Anniversary Of The Launch Of The 5000 GT 2+2 Coupé At The Turin Motor Show

Maserati Celebrates The 60Th Anniversary Of The Launch Of The 5000 GT 2+2 Coupé At The Turin Motor Show

Modena, 29 November 2019 – Sixty years ago, the 5000 GT, a 22 coupé, was presented at the Turin Motor Show and was the undisputed star of the event. Maserati now celebrates the anniversary of this extraordinary car, built to the specific request...
2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Best of Show

2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Best of Show

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (August 17, 2015) -- An Italian Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A Cabriolet that once turned heads and garnered top prizes in the classic era glided to victory at the 65th Pebble Beach Concours dElegance on Sunday. The competition...