1967 Maserati Mistral

Near the end of the Sebring's production run, Maserati introduced an even-more sporting six-cylinder gran turismo - the Mistral. Named after one of the Mediterranean winds, it was powered by Alfieri's long-lived twin-cam six and given a wheelbase that was 100mm shorter than the Sebring. It wore a hatchback body style designed by Pietro Frua and given a full-width air intake, slim bumpers, and plenty of glass.

The Maserati Mistral was the last of the classic six-cylinder Maseratis. Production began in 1963 and continued to 1970, with a total of 827 coupes and 123 Spiders produced. Most of the cars were powered by a 3.7-liter six-cylinder engine. Other options being the 3.5-litre or, from 1966, the 4.0-litre unit, all of which came with Lucas fuel injection. A five-speed gearbox and disc brakes were standard equipment. Options included automatic transmission, air conditioning, and a limited-slip differential.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible
Chassis number: AM109.SA1.673
Engine number: AM109.SA1.673

The Maserati Mistral Spider combined the competition-derived twin-spark DOHC straight six engine with a Giovanni Michelotti design, executed by Carrozzeria Frua. It was the successor to the 3500 GT, and was built in relatively limited numbers, with just 828 examples of the two-seater coupe built. The Spider variant was even rarer, with just 120 built during the model's eight-year run.

This particular example was ordered in the Spring of 1967 by Al Garthwaite's Trident Imported Motors of Rosemont, Pennsylvania. It was specified in Rosso Capannelle paint with black leather upholstery, carpets, and soft top. Options included a limited-slip differential, Borrani wire wheels, large 60 mm diameter exhaust pipes, and safety belts. The car's price tag was $8,532.

This late-production Mistral Spider is one of just 37 examples built with the four-liter engine. With the help of the Lucas mechanical fuel injection system, the engine offers 255 horsepower.

The car journeyed to the United States in May of 1967 onboard the SS President Arthur. It was sold to its original owner through Trident Imported Motors and has remained in the Mid-Atlantic region ever since. It was recently discovered in a storage unit outside Washington, D.C. It was last registered for the road in 1983.

This car has never been exhibited or restored. It has never been offered for public sale. It retains its matching-numbers engine (internal no. 00799), original data tags, and fuel-injection system.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: AM109A1.1146
Engine number: AM109A1.1146

This particular example is in 'barn-find' condition. It is largely original with an early history that remains unknown. It is known to have been owned by a Mr. Johnson of Pebble Beach, CA by the early 1980s. In October of 1983, it was purchased by the current caretaker's father, Mr. Davis of El Cerrito, CA. Mr. Davis kept the car on the roads for just a few years before putting it in storage in his garage. It has remained there, covered up, until being brought to auction in 2015.

The car has 69,708 kilometers showing on the odometer and are believed to be the cars actual mileage. It is finished in medium-green metallic.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 1078

This 1967 Maserati Mistral has a Frua aluminum alloy body and a four-liter engine capable of producing 255 horsepower. It is one of 298 examples created and has a top speed of 150 mph. There is a 3.77 limited slip rear end, ZF five-speed manual gearbox, and a Dual overhead cam straight six.

Coupe
Chassis number: AM109A11580

This 1967 Maserati Mistral 4000 GT was built in July of 1967 and left the factory painted in the same ivory and black paint scheme that it wears today. The first owner, Dott. A. Balbo, lived in Florence, Italy and retained the car for two years. It was then exported to the United States and into the care of A.M. Stellhorn who lived in Bishop, California. It was given the personalized California license plate labeled 'MISTRAL.'

The car was kept by Mr. Stellhorn until 199, when he sold it to another California resident who would seldom use the car. M. Shacklette purchased the car from a Bay Area dealer in 2007 and shipped it to Baltimore. It was given proper servicing and a re-commissioning which included a complete overhaul of the braking system and clutch hydraulics. It was used extensively by Mr. Shacklette and exhibited at La Belle Macchine de Italia.

In 2009, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction where it was estimated to sell for $70,000 - $90,000. The lot was sold for the sum of $55,000 including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe

Maserati introduced the Mistral in 1963, designed by Pietro Frua, which represented a new direction in styling from previous models. Production lasted until 1970, with 828 Mistral coupes produced. Until 1964, the cars had 3.5 liter engines, but after 1964, Maserati switched to 3.7-liter engines. From 1966 to the end of production, a 4.0-liter engine was available. A few cars were steel-bodied and while others were a combination of steel with aluminum hoods and doors and others were all aluminum. The Mistral is significant for being one of the first cars to have a hatchback. This car has a 4.0-liter engine and an all-aluminum body. Originally sold on the west coast, this car made its way across the country with numerous owners until it was purchased by the current owner in 1988. A complete restoration was undertaken in 2000.

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