Vehicle Description
The 3500 GT was Maserati's first volume-produced sports car, a
superb automobile for the discriminating buyer that featured
beautiful styling along with a race-proven drivetrain. The 3500 GT
featured a 3.5-liter twin-cam inline-6 that traced its roots to the
legendary 250F Grand Prix racing cars. Despite the $13,000 price
tag in 1960, the 3500 GT proved to be popular with buyers, and
Maserati hand-built approximately 2,400 between 1957 and 1964, more
than any Maserati model previously. The majority of 3500GTs were
sold as coupes, but just 245 very lucky (and wealthy) buyers got
their hands on the gorgeous, open-topped Vignale Spyder. One look
and it is easy to see why the 3500 GT Vignale was seen as a direct
competitor to the Ferrari 250 California built just down the road
in Maranello. The styling by Vignale was fresh and beautiful, and
with the performance to match its good looks, it was the epitome of
Italian Grand Touring in the early 1960s. This gorgeous 1963
Maserati 3500 GT Vignale Spyder was delivered new to a buyer in
Torino, Italy, in the summer of 1962. It was imported to the United
States in 1969 and spent many years in California and then Texas
before it was eventually treated to a careful restoration in the
original colors of dark blue over red leather. The restoration
remains in excellent condition today, and the car has recently been
given a comprehensive freshening and meticulous detailing. The
engine bay is fully detailed with correct hose clamps, wiring and
plumbing, while the chassis has been detailed with correct-color
shocks and brakes, and the fuel system sorted to ensure it is a
strong runner. As a 1963 model, it features many improvements from
the earlier cars, such as 4-wheel disc brakes, a ZF 5-speed manual
transmission and beautiful polished alloy Borrani wire wheels. On
this car, the troublesome Lucas mechanical fuel-injected engine has
been replaced with a reliable and proven triple-Weber carburetor
spec unit. Twin-plug ignition, dual overhead camshafts and a
race-proven design translates into 240hp and near 150 mph
performance. The car has had a recent service, with the carburetors
cleaned and sorted to ensure smooth running. A striking red leather
interior provides a beautiful contrast against the excellent
metallic blue paint. The blue canvas soft-top is fully lined for
comfortable cruising, and the dash retains the factory-applied blue
paint as well as original gauges, switches and steering wheel; all
in excellent condition. The valuable factory tool kit and jack are
included, and even the ultra-rare quilted trunk mat and hood
insulation are intact and in amazing original condition. Beautiful
and rare Vignale coachwork combined with the robust and powerful
Maserati drivetrain to produce one of the most desirable Italian GT
cars of the era. This stunning machine is a worthy addition to any
collection, a fabulous-driving sports car with race-bred DNA from
one of the most legendary of all Italian marques.
