1968 Maserati Mistral

Maserati turned its attention away from Grand Prix and sports car racing activities in the late 1950s, focusing instead on road-car production. This was a survival strategy intended to re-establish its financial footing and ensure its longevity. Up to this point, Maserati was still producing cars on a small scale, with its high-performance sports cars intended for wealthy clientele. Maserati's new era began in 1957 with the introduction of the Touring-bodied 3500 GT at the Geneva Salon. The new '2+2' was built using the lessons learned at the track, employing a tubular chassis frame and an engine derived from the 350S sports car. It was a twin-overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder unit that was a close relative of the engine powering the World Championship-winning 250F. The suspension used a conventional live axle and semi-elliptic setup at the rear, while the run was independent by wishbones and coil springs. Drum brakes and a four-speed transmission were used initially, later giving way to a five-speed unit, front disc brakes, and, eventually, all-disc braking.

Developed by engineer Giulio Alfieri, the 3500 GT became the company's first attempt at series production, and it was their first attempt at the Gran Turismo market.

Maserati's Grand Prix-winning six-cylinder engine would power several of its road-going models, with the final being the Pietro Frua-styled Mistral. Most examples received the 3.7-liter version of the long-stroke engine, while a more potent 265-horsepower 4.0-liter version was installed in later Mistrals. Subsequent models to the Mistral were equipped with V8 engines as the company sought to remain competitive in an industry where rivals were increasingly offering more powerful vehicles.

The Maserati Mistra

The Mistral (Tipo AM109) was named after the cold northerly wind of southern France, and was the first Maserati model to be named after a wind. This 2-seat gran turismo was the successor to the 3500 GT, and was built on a shortened version of the square tube chassis also used by the Sebring and 3500GT. Body styles included a coupe and open spyder, with the former's opening rear window hatch adding to its practicality as a sporting GT car. Standard equipment included disc brakes and a five-speed gearbox, while air conditioning, a limited-slip differential, and an automatic transmission were optional.

By the time production ceased in 1970, a total of 124 Spiders and 827 coupes had been built. The Mistral's successor was the Ghibli which was first unveiled as a 2-seater concept car at the Turin Motor Show in November 1966. Styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Ghia, the Ghibli remained in production through 1973, producing a total of 1,170 coupes and 125 Spyders. The Ghibli was succeeded the following year by the Bertone-designed Khamsin.

Specifications

Dimensions

The Maserati Mistral rested on a 94.5-inch wheelbase platform with an overall length of 177.2 inches, a height of 51.2 inches, and a width of 65.9 inches. It weighs approximately 3,150 lbs (1,430 kg).

The Mistral was smaller than its predecessor, the 3500 GT, which had a 102.4-inch wheelbase for its coupe and 98.4 inches for its spyder. The 3500GT Coupe was eleven inches longer and 3.4 inches wider than the Mistral.

Engine

Initially, the Mistral was powered by a 3.5-liter (3,485.29cc) version of the inline-6-cylinder engine. It had hemispherical combustion chambers, a Lucas indirect fuel injection system, dual overhead camshafts, dual ignition, an aluminum block, aluminum cylinder heads, cast iron cylinder sleeves, and produced 235 horsepower at 5,500 RPM. Its bore measured 3.4 inches, and its stroke at 3.9 inches.

Only the Spyder received the 3.5-liter (3500) engine and just twelve examples were built. Seventy-six examples of the Mistral were equipped with the 3.7-liter engine, which produced 245 horsepower at 5,500 RPM. Thirty-seven examples were given the ultimate iteration of this engine, the 4.0-liter version that produced 265 bhp at 5,200 RPM.

Chassis

The tubular platform chassis had an independent suspension setup at the front and a solid axle at the rear. Four-wheel solid disc brakes, a five-speed ZF transmission, and Pirelli Cinturato 185VR16 CA67 tires were standard equipment. Later examples received Borrani wire wheels wrapped with 205VR15 tires.

Body

The body was penned by Pietro Frua and represented a new styling direction for the company. A few examples were steel-bodied while others had a combination f steel with aluminum doors and hoods; other examples were all aluminum. The Mistral was one of the first cars to have a hatchback.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: AM 109306

The 1968 Maserati Mistral Coupe finished in traditional Italian red with tan leather interior was offered for sale at the 2006 RM Auction in Monterey, California. It was offered without reserve and expected to fetch between $35,000-$55,000. It is equipped with knock-off Borrani wire wheels, factory air conditioning, and a five-speed manual gearbox. It has been treated to a professional cosmetic restoration since new. At the conclusion of the auction the vehicle had a new owner, for the selling price of $28,600.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible
Chassis number: AM109/SA1 691
Engine number: AM109/SA1 691

The Mistral was the first Maserati to be named after a wind, a strong cold northerly wind of southern France that immediately conjured up the illusion of speed, and the last to sport the race-bred inline 6-cylinder engine. A total of 830 coupes and 120 spyders (convertibles) were made. This is one of only 36 Mistral spyders with the larger 4-liter engine.

The car is about 60% aluminum and 40% steel. The doors, front clip and trunk lid are made of aluminum, with the rear clip in steel to add to the rigidity of the car.

The inline 6-cylinder engine uses two spark plugs per cylinder that provided for better fuel burn in the days when electronic ignition was not available.

Maserati was very innovative in being one of the first to use fuel injection on production vehicles; this car has a Lucas fuel-injection system, the same one that Jaguar used on a few D-Type race cars.

The current owner found this Maserati Mistral Spyder near Seattle in non-running condition. At the time, it was an unattractive root beer color with equally unattractive interior. Upon research, it was discovered to be one of a handful of Mistral Spyders built with the larger 4.0-liter engine and that its first owner was a Maserati factory race driver. Luckily, the car was complete, including its original engine with its unique Lucas fuel injection.

The current owner set about to personally restore the car back to its original silver color and mechanically maintain the fuel injection system.

Convertible
Chassis number: AM109S.711

This 1968 Maserati Mistral Spyder with coachwork by Carrozzeria Frua is equipped with the 3.7-liter (3,694cc) DOHC inline 6-cylinder engine. It is one of 124 examples with the open-air spyder body, and it left the factory with a Rosso Cordova exterior with beige Connolly hides and equipped with wire wheels. The Spyder's first owner was Umberto Nuvoli, believed to be a prominent radiologist from Rome.

Around 2000, this Maserati was sold at an auction in Monaco, and it was described as coming from an Austrian Maserati enthusiast. By this point in history, the car had been restored and refinished in its current Italian Rosso Corsa, over beige leather upholstery.

The current owner drove the Maserati on the 2014 Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance.

by Dan Vaughan

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