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Padova Finarte / Collector Cars

Friday 25 October 2019, 02:30 PM • Padua

20

1959 Maserati Maserati 3500 G.T. (Carrozzeria Touring)

chassis no. AM101*368*

Lot subjected to VAT (if due) or sold as in-bond

Estimate

€ 280.000 - 300.000

Un utente ha offerto

Your offer is the highest

Information

  • Excellent preserved.150 km covered by the complete mechanical overhaul.
  • Original black Milano plates.
  • The model that led Maserati from semi-artisan to industrial production.
  • Fast and comfortable.

Documents
Italian registration in order. Original plates and booklet.
Eligibility

Giro di Sicilia. Eligible.
Targa Florio. Eligible.
Goodwood Revival. Eligible
Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti. Eligible.
Coppa delle Alpi by 1000 Miglia. Eligible.
Winter Marathon. Eligible.
Vernasca Silver Flag. Eligible.
Nürburgring Classic. Eligible.
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Eligible.
Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Eligible.-
Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille. Eligible.
Concorso d’eleganza Villa D’Este. Eligible.

Exhibition

The model
The Maserati 3500 G.T., internally signed Type 101, is the first Maserati built on a large scale. The premises: the new car had to combine the typical Maserati sportiness with the need for luxury and comfort, allowing long journeys at high speed without staining driver and passengers. Road holding had to be safe and “easy” for all customers, without having to be skilled drivers. The interiors had to be of high quality. The mechanics had to be reliable as well as sporty. And all this had to be replicated in several units. The ambitious goal for Maserati, used to produce smaller cars and roughly 2-3 units per month, was to produce 2 cars a day. In 1956 the technical director of the Casa del Tridente, Giulio Alfieri, began to work on the engine that was derived from the 6-cylinder twin shaft of the racing 350S. The final engine was a 3.5-liter (3485 cc long-stroke) with aluminum crankcase and cylinder head, hemispherical combustion chambers, twin-shaft overhead distribution. The ignition was twin-spark and the power was supplied by 3 double-barrel Weber 42 DCOE carburettors. The engine thus had 220 hp at 5500 rpm for a maximum speed of about 230 km/h. The frame was tubular, the front suspensions were independent with double wishbones and rear live axle with transverse bar and inclined shock absorbers, to increase lateral grip. The car featured with parts from external suppliers, for cost/quality reasons: ZF 4-speed gearbox and steering, Borg & Beck single-plate dry clutch, Salisbury differential, Girling drum brakes. The car was presented at the 1957 Geneva Motor Show, where a proposal by the Turin-based Allemano was also exhibited, but the design of the Milan-based Carrozzeria Touring was chosen for the production of the coupe. With aluminum doors and bonnets, but with a final weight of 1420 kg, Carrozzeria Touring created a sporty and elegant “dress”, according to its “Superleggera” system, with a comfortable passenger compartment (2+2) and space for luggage. The cars were fitted with leather interiors and Jaeger instruments as standard. It was the first Italian car designed to be fitted with air conditioning and electric windows were offered as an option, a first for the time. In 1959 the front disc brakes and the limited slip differential were offered as an option, standard the following year, plus the wire-wheels with centre-lock knockoff hubs. In the same year the engine was redesigned to get 230 hp with a smoother behavior at the same time. In the second half of 1961 the GTI version was introduced, with the Lucas injection and a power output of 235 hp. The carburettor version remained as an option and a 5-speed gearbox was fitted as standard. The bodywork was updated: the slightly lowered roof line and other changes concerned the grille, lights and doors. Disc brakes at the rear and the brake booster arrived in 1962. Production ended in 1964, however the chassis survived on the Sebring and the Mistral. The best year for sales of the 3500 G.T. was 1961, with about 500 units. A total of 2226 units were built, including 1972 coupe by Carrozzeria Touring.
The car
The Maserati 3500 G.T. (Touring), chassis no. AM101*368* was registered on March 24, 1960, with (black) Milano plates, that are still on the car; as well as the vehicle registration document of the old type, still with its green cover. The car has only had two successive transfers of property and has always been, however, a car of "good family". It was subjected to a complete overhaul of the mechanical parts a decade ago and, since then, has only traveled 150 km, just to keep the mechanics alive. The general condition is very good, the car is matching number. It is an excellently preserved car, still finished in its metallic blue and rust-free: an exceptional opportunity for collectors looking for healthy cars but loving the charming patina of preserved cars. Some minor works on the interior details is to be done, due to the inevitable signs of aging.
State of the Art
Excellent preserved. 150 km covered by the mechanical overhaul.

Literature

  •  Luigi Orsini, Franco Zagari, Maserati, una storia nella storia, dal 1945 ad oggi, Libreria dell’Automobile, Milano 1980
  • Gianni Cancellieri, Bruno Alfieri, Maserati Catalogue Raisonné 1926-2003, Automobilia, Milano 2003
  • Ermanno Cozza, Con la Maserati nel cuore, Giorgio Nada, Milano 2017
  • Maurizio Tabucchi, Maserati, The Grand Prix, Sports and GT cars model by model, 1926-2003, Giorgio Nada, Milano 2003

Condition report

To request a Condition Report, please contact automotive@finarte.it The department will provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that what Finarte declares with respect to the state of conservation of the objects corresponds only to a qualified opinion and that we are not professional conservators or restorers. We urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. We always suggest prospective buyers to inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition during the exhibition days as indicated in the catalog.