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1966 Maserati Mistral

Convertible
Chassis number: AM109/S1 615
Engine number: AM109/S1 615

In 1963, Maserati began naming their cars after the winds - the 'Mistral' blows across the Mediterranean bringing clear, fresh weather and helping create the climate of Provence.

Designed by Pietro Frua, the car was presented in Spain at the 1966 Valencia Motor Show. From 1964 until 1970, only 125 Mistral Spyders were built.

It is powered by a twin-overhead-cam in-line 6-cylinder engine developing 255 horsepower coupled to a manual 5-speed transmission capable of 0-60 mph in under 6 seconds. It is fitted with 4-wheel disc brakes and Borrani wire wheels.

The car was returned to Italy by FIFA World Cup winning Italian soccer star Antonio Cabrini where it stayed on the Isle of Sicily in Ragusa where it was restored. In 2014 the car returned to the U.S.

Coupe
Chassis number: AM109A1/842

After the frustration 1957 season, Maserati concentrated on building high-quality gran turismos based on its magnificent dual overhead camshaft, twin-ignition six-cylinder engine. Proven in grand prix competition in the 250S and equally successful in sports racing cars, Maserati made the most of its history and investment in development with the 3500GT, and later the Sebring. The Sebring's sporting character flowed not only from its more modern Vignale coachwork, but also from a wheelbase that was 100 mm shorter, enhancing its responsiveness and complementing Vignale's more aggressive styling.

Despite the disappointments of 1957, the competitive heart of Maserati still beats strongly, if quietly, and the Bolognese marque almost surreptitiously developed a lightweight 2-liter sports-raced in 1959 called the Tipo 60. Its four-cylinder engine was derived from the highly successful 200S; its featherweight multitube chassis carried the space frame concept to its ultimate expression, and its complexity earned the Tipo 60 and its successors the nickname 'Birdcage'. Giulio Alfieri's masterpiece proved to be dominant in the hands of private entrants, bringing Maserati the best of both worlds: enhanced reputation and visibility in competition without the risk of running a factory team.

The Mistral

Maserati introduced an even-more sporting six-cylinder gran turismo near the end of the Sebring's production run and coincident with the end of the 3500GT's long production. The Mistral was the first Maserati named after one of the seasonal Mediterranean winds that brought abrupt weather changes to southern Europe, and it was another change in Maserati's product line.

Still powered by Alfieri's long-lived twin-cam six, the Mistral's wheelbase was another 100 mm shorter than the Sebring's, blurring the distinction between sports cars and gran turismo in a rewarding and satisfying package. The body was designed by Pietro Frua in a graceful, fast, hatchback-style that left no doubt that this was a purposeful, yet still luxurious, automobile for connoisseurs who demanded performance, quality and comfort in a single package. Gracefully styled with a full-width air intake, slim bumpers and plenty of glass for the driver's visibility, the Mistral is one of Frua's most refined and elegant designs.

The Mistral would be the last of Maserati's six-cylinder gran turismos and its performance, style and quality have made it highly prized by collectors who appreciate its highly developed attributes.

This Car

The Mistral shown here is, perhaps uniquely among the model, fitted with a Webasto folding sunroof and air-conditioning. It rides on chrome-spoke Borrani wire wheels, and is finished attractively in Aubergine with tan leather interior. Sympathetically restored for its former owner, it is powered by the 4-liter engine that powered the Mistral from mid-1966 on. It is accurately configured with its correct Lucas mechanical fuel-injection system, and has the desirable ZF 5-speed gearbox.

The unusual Aubergine exterior nicely complements Frua's coachwork, highlighting both the body's svelte lines and the sparse and tasteful chrome trim.

by Gooding & Company

by Maserati

The Mistral was produced from 1963 through 1970. During its production lifespan, 120 spyders and 830 coupes were produced. The design had been penned by the Italian stylist Pietro Frua, arguably one of his greatest automotive designs. The French had a name for a strong, cold wind in their southern region, it was Mistral. Maserati adopted the name because it embodied the essence of the wind - speed. The original name for the vehicle had been Due Posti.

In 1963, Maserati introduced the Mistral at Auto Shows and a year later the production version was ready. Initially, the vehicle was to be outfitted with a 3.5-liter power-plant, however, the production version received a 3.7-liter engine. It was a derivative of the engine used in Maserati's motorsport. The cylinder head had hemispherical combustion champers, Lucas indirect fuel injection, and chain-driven camshafts. Mounted under the gently sloping hood, the 245 horsepower six-cylinder engine powered the rear wheels and could propel the vehicle from zero to sixty in 7 seconds.

The short wheelbase provided room for two passengers. A square section welded together had replaced the classic elliptic tubular frame in an effort to reduce the overall weight. A 4.0-liter engine now lurked under the hood, raising the overall horsepower rating by ten and giving the Mistral a top speed of just under 160 mph.

The Mistral was outfitted with a ZF 5-speed gearbox, disc brakes on all four corners, and the traditional Borrani wire wheels. The later models had light-alloy wheels. The interior was plush, elegant, and inviting with rich leather bucket seats. A hardtop could be purchased as optional equipment for the Spyder version, making it more versatile.

In production for seven years and with nearly 1000 examples created, this is truly a magnificent automobile. Its beautiful curves, wrap-around chrome bumper, and Maserati's marriage of racing and luxury made this a suitable choice for all types of automobile enthusiasts.

by Dan Vaughan