Maserati 3500 GT Spyder, 1960
Maserati 3500 GT
Maserati 3500 GT•
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Chassis No.: 101975
Engine No.: 101975
Estimate: US$700,000 - US$900,000 USD
- 3,485 CC DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
- 3 Weber 42 DCOE Twin-Choke Carburetors
- 220 bhp at 5,500 rpm
- 5-Speed ZF Manual Gearbox
- Independent Front Suspension, Rear Live Axle
- Front Girling Disc, Rear Alfin Drum Brakes
- One of Maserati's most alluring road cars
- Only 242 Vignale Spyders built
- Gorgeous Blu Scuro over Crème Beige leather
- Desirably equipped with Weber carbs, front disc brakes, and 5-speed gearbox
- Originally delivered to Amelia Olsen Riis, wife of Norwegian Consul and Olympic Attaché in Rome
- Ground-up restoration by marque specialist Martin Logé of JML Restorations
- Exquisitely detailed for concours duty
The Modena marque's new era began in 1957 with the launch of the Touring-bodied 3500 GT, its first road model built in significant numbers. A luxury "2+2," the 3500 GT drew on Maserati's competition experience, employing a tubular chassis and an engine derived from the 350S sports car of 1956. Its designer was none other than Giulio Alfieri, creator of the immortal Tipo 60/61 "Birdcage" sports-racer and the man responsible for developing the 250F into a World Championship winner. The twin-overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine was a close relative of that used in the 250F and developed around 220bhp in road trim.
Built initially with drum brakes and a four-speed gearbox, the 3500 GT was gradually improved, gaining five speeds, front disc brakes and, finally, all-disc braking and Lucas fuel injection.
A car possessing such impeccable antecedents not unnaturally attracted the attention of Italy's finest carrozzerie: Allemano, Bertone, and Frua all created coachwork for the 3500 GT chassis. Most coupes were created by Touring, while all but one (a Frua-bodied example) of the much less common Spyder version were the work of Carrozzeria Vignale. Introduced in 1959 at the Turin Motor Show, Vignale's Maserati 3500 GT Spyder was created by Giovanni Michelotti, then the company's star designer. Built on a slightly shorter wheelbase than the coupé - 250cm as opposed to 260cm - and constructed of steel panels rather than the closed car's aluminum, the Spyder lasted production until 1964.
In the end, just 242 (some sources say 245) convertibles had been made, representing a little over 10% of 3500 GT production.
THE CAR OFFERED
The breathtaking 3500 GT Vignale Spyder featured here is a relatively early production model that was originally finished in white over black, featuring front disc brakes, a five-speed gearbox, and the triple Weber carburetor configuration. Completed on July 21, 1960, it was sold by Franco Cornacchia, a notable Ferrari and Maserati dealer in Rome, to its first owner, Amelia Olsen Riis. She received the car on August 19th while living at the Norwegian consulate in Rome with her husband who was serving as Olympic attaché and honorary consul for Norway during the 1960 Rome Summer Olympics, which were set to begin in under a week.
According to records on file, the car made its way to the United States just a few years later and was believed to be in California by 1964, judging by the number sequence of the California 'Black Plate' that was still on the car when purchased by the vendor almost a decade ago. A copy of a California title confirms it was still there in 1971, and it is noted by Walter Bäumer in his definitive book about the model that the car was in Texas by the mid-1980s, where it remained until emerging some 30 years later into dealer inventory and then on to the current California owner's classic Maserati collection two years later.
He then entrusted it to Maserati expert Martin Logé of JML Restorations in Santa Barbara, California, for a ground-up, multi-year, concours-winning restoration in its current breathtaking livery. It went on to win First Place at the 2017 Greystone Mansion Concours d'Elegance, followed by a class award and Panerai Timeless Elegance Award at the 2023 La Jolla Concours d'Elegance.
This lovely Maserati 3500 GT Spyder by Vignale now comes to market with its tonneau cover and factory jack and is ready to get back on the show circuit where it will surely continue to turn heads and win trophies.
