1960 Maserati 3500GT Vignale

Maserati earned numerous racetrack successes during the 1950s including Juan Manuel Fangio's fifth World Championship (with the 250F), and a 2nd in the World Sportscar Championship with the 450S, both in 1957. Despite these accomplishments, the company's feature was in jeopardy and the parent company's financial difficulties eventually forced withdrawal from racing. Limping along into the 1960s, the company's survival strategy centered on establishing the company as a producer of road cars. This journey began in 1957 with the introduction of the Touring-bodied 3500 GT, its first road model built in significant numbers.

Using the company's racing experience, the 3500 GT was given a tubular chassis frame and an engine derived from the 350s sports car unit of 1956. Its designer was Giulio Alfieri, creator of the Tipo 60/61 'Birdcage' sports-racer and the individual responsible for developing the 250F into a World Championship winner. The engine was a twin-overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder unit that was closely related to the one used in the 250F and developed around 220 horsepower. Initially offered with drum brakes and a four-speed ZF S4-17 gearbox, the 3500 GT was continually developed eventually gaining five speeds (a ZF S5-17 5-speed unit with a hydraulically actuated Borg & Beck single-plate dry clutch), front disc brake, and finally all-disc braking.

The 12-valve straight-six engine used an aluminum block, cast iron cylinder sleeves, aluminum cylinder heads, cast iron valve seats, and hemispherical combustion chambers. It received a dual fuel pump, dual ignition, and a mechanical Marelli ignition. When equipped with three twin-choke 42 DCOE Weber carburetors it developed 217 horsepower at 5,500 RPM. With the Lucas mechanical fuel injection system, the engine developed 232 horsepower.

The early cars used Pirelli Stella Bianca tires while later examples were fitted with Pirelli Cinturato radial-ply tires. 185x16-inch radial tires were optional, as were the Borrani knock-off wire wheels.

Several coachbuilders created unique bodies for the 3500 GT chassis including carrozzerie Allemano, Frua, and Bertone. Most of the coupes were created by Touring, Frua built a single spyder, while the remainder of the Spyder versions were the work of Carrozzeria Vignale. Introduced to the international public on November 10th of 1959 at the Turin Motor Show, Vignale's Maserati 3500 GT Spyder was designed by Fiovanni Michelotti and built on the slightly shorter wheelbase size of 250cm (instead of the standard 260cm platform). It used steel panels rather than the closed coupe's aluminum.

Production of the Spyder lasted until 1964 with 242 (as many as 245) examples produced, representing slightly more than 10-percent of 3500 GT production. The total production of both coupes and convertibles, built between 1957 and 1964, reached 2,226 units. 1961 was the 3500 GT's best selling year with 500 examples sold. Touring coupes accounted for 1,981 examples built while the remainder were bodied by other coachbuilders.

Carrozzeria Allemano built four coupes including the 1957 prototype. Both Touring and Allemano had displayed a 2,600mm wheelbase prototype with aluminum bodywork in March of 1957 at the Salon International de l'Auto in Geneva. Touring's example was later selected for series production after a few changes were implemented, mostly to the frontal grille area.

Pietro Frua built as many as three coupes and one spider. Bertone built the 1959 Turin Motor Show car - a coupe to a design by Franco Scaglione. Carrozzeria Boneschi built a coupe designed by Rodolfo Bonetto that was shown in 1962 at the Turin Motor Show and the 1963 Geneva Motor Show.

by Dan Vaughan

Spyder

Maserati earned a formidable reputation in the early Fifties with their Formula monopostos and sports-racers. But after the 1957 season, they retired from active racing to concentrate on street cars. At the 1957 Geneva Motor Show, the Maserati 3500 GT coupe was debuted. Designed by Giulio Alfieri, and bodied by Touring, it was a commercial success, with over 2200 built by 1964. This example is one of the only 242 convertibles or 'spiders' produced after 1960 and bodied by Vignale of Turin.

Spyder
Chassis number: AM101 761
Engine number: AM101 761

This 1960 Maserati 3500GT Spider is black with a vintage tan leather interior. It is fitted with triple Weber carburetors and front disc brakes, plus a five-speed transmission Borrani wire wheels. It is one of only 243 Maserati 3500GT Vignale Spiders constructed.

The prior owner owned the car for 31 years. In 2008, this 3500GT Spider was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company Auction held in Pebble Beach, Ca. It was estimated to sell for $275,000 - $325,000. Bidding failed to satisfy the vehicles reserve and the lot was left unsold.

by Dan Vaughan

Spyder
Chassis number: 101925
Engine number: AM101*925

This Maserati was sold new to Switzerland and was ordered in black with a brown leather interior. At the last minute, it was changed to Bianco Andalusia (white) over maroon leather. It wears Vignale body number 33 and has a 4-speed ZF gearbox, front disc brakes, and rear drums.

The car left the Modena factory on June 18th of 1960 and was registered in Switzerland two days later. The first owner would keep the car until 1963. The second owner would keep the car for nine years. In 1972, it was acquired by Rudolph Meister of Bern, Switzerland. The car was described as being in original condition, with its original red leather and white paint, but fitted with a new unpainted front end that was installed after a slight collision.

The fourth owner acquired the car in 1999. By this point in history, it had been stripped of its paint with its interior apart and a partial mechanical restoration completed. The following year it was sold to its next owner, Dr. Stefan Zierhut of Passau, Germany.

Dr. Zierhut began a restoration including an engine overhaul and a repaint in Grigio (grey). The car was purchased in 2010 in partly dismantled state by Peter Weisner of Salzburg, Austria. Mr. Weisner had the car sent to Franco Tralli of Bomporto, Italy to be finally completed. Meanwhile, a new maroon leather interior was crafted by Lupi in Modena and a new convertible top, along with overall topping, tailing, and detailing, was achieved by Carrozzeria Auto Sport in Bastiglia, Italy.

The current owner acquired the car in July of 2011.

by Dan Vaughan

Spyder
Chassis number: AM101.775
Engine number: AM101.775

The Maserati 3500 GT was the company's first volume-production road car. It proved to be a tremendous success, with over 1,200 examples built through 1964. The 3500 GT Spider was unveiled in 1959, riding on a short-wheelbase chassis and wearing two-seat coachwork by Carrozzeria Vignale of Torino to a design by Giovanni Michelotti. Just like their Touring-bodied counterparts, the Vignale Spiders received updates and improvements during its production lifespan. In total, Maserati built 242 examples of the Vignale Spider between 1960 and 1964.

This particular example has a history that dates to November 10th of 1959, when Dott. Alberto Fassio viewed the Vignale Spider's international debut at the Torino Motor Show and placed an order with the factory for a car of his own. Dott. Alberto Fassio ordered his car with pigskin upholstery, a cream soft top, a black exterior, and a special exhaust system. In March, Dott. Fassio revised his initial order and requested the car be painted Verde Pavone (Peacock Green) and trimmed in black leather with a matching canvas soft top. At that time, he also requested the car be fitted with an Autovox radio, Champion spark plugs, Gerico horns, and Lucas headlights.

Dott. Fassio's car was completed on June 8th of 1960 and is an early production 'pre-series' example. It has unique features that include a long hood extending to the base of the windscreen.

The car remained in Dott. Fassio's care until April of 1962, when it was sold to a resident of Rome. It then passed through a succession of Italian owners and was eventually re-discovered in unrestored condition in 1983, while in the ownership of Luigi Chilò of Castelfranco. In the late 1980s, the car was given a comprehensive resotraiton and re-finished in its original color and trimmed in tan leather.

The car has been in the care of its current owner since 2003. From 2015 to 2016, the Vignale Spider was re-finished in Verde Pavone.

by Dan Vaughan

Spyder
Chassis number: AM101 971
Engine number: AM101 971

This Maserati 3500 GT Spyder by Vignale was built on August 6th of 1960 and was finished in Nero Lancia over a Bianco leather interior. It was acquired by Claude Imhoff in the 1980s who kept residence in Switzerland as well as Florida. After the purchase, the car was brought to Florida, where it was used as warm-weather transportation. The car has never been restored, just maintained. The car has been in his ownership for more than 3 decades.

This car is fitted with its original, matching-numbers engine. The original color is stated as being black, however the current shade of green is thought to be original considering its condition, with no hint of black paint to be found anywhere. It has Borrani wire wheels, correct Marchal headlamps, and Marchal driving lamps.

by Dan Vaughan

Spyder
Chassis number: AM 101.975
Engine number: 101975

Over 2,200 examples of the Maserati 3500GT were built, 242 of those being the Vignale Spyder. The 3500 GT initially wore closed bodywork styled and built by Touring of Milan. Although they later presented an open prototype of the 3500 GT, it was the design by Vignale that was given the green light for production. Vignale displayed their convertible version at the Paris Motor Show in 1959. Giovanni Michelotti had penned the graceful design for the 98.4-inch wheelbase (shorter than the 102.4-inch platform used for the coupe) and beneath its bonnet was a road-converted version of the 3.5-liter, twin-cam, inline 6-cylinder engine that propelled the three Maserati 350S race cars that contested the 1956 Mille Miglia.

Although the overall production figures do not appear significant when compared to more mainstream companies of the era, it was by far the company's most successful model up to that point.

This particular 1960 Maesrati 3500 GT Spider is an early production example that left the factory with a five-speed gearbox and front disc brakes. It wore a white exterior with a black interior. Work was completed on July 21, 1960, and was originally supplied by Roman Ferrari and Maserati dealer Franco Cornacchia. Its first owner, Amelia Olsen Riis, took delivery on August 19th while residing at the Norwegian consulate in Rome.

Early in its life, it was exported to the United States and registered in California, with the black license plate 'IOF 036,' a sequence corresponding to an issue date of approximately 1964.

In the mid-1980s, the car was sent to Texas, where it spent much of its time in storage before being acquired by dealer Peter Kumar in 2014. The current owner has treated the Maserati to a ground-up, no-expense-spared, multiyear restoration by Maserati specialist Martin Logé's shop, JML Restorations.

Upon completion, the 3500 GT won First Place at the 2017 Greystone Mansion Concours d'Elegance, as well as a class award and Panerai Timeless Elegance Award at the 2023 La Jolla Concours d'Elegance.

This Maserati 3500 GT Spider is powered by a 3,485cc dual overhead camshaft inline six-cylinder engine with three Weber 42 DCOE Twin-Choke carburetors and produces approximately 220 horsepower at 5,500 RPM. There is a five-speed ZF manual gearbox, front Girling disc brakes, rear Alfin drum brakes, and an independent front suspension. The live rear axle is suspended by a semi-elliptical leaf spring setup.

by Dan Vaughan

The Maserati 3500 GT was produced from 1957 through 1964 with over 2000 examples built. The vehicle was penned by Carrozzeria Touring gathering many styling cues from the 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 to the production design. The headlamps, radiator grille, and 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 mated 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. The top speed of the 3500 GT was achieved at 145 mph.

In 1960 Carrozziera Vignale introduced a 3500 spider that 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 Dan Vaughan