Vehicle Description
The pinnacle of Maserati's legendary motor racing accomplishments
came in the 1950s and early 1960s with cars such as the iconic 250F
Grand Prix car, and a series of innovative sports racers including
the A6G, 300S, and Tipo 61 "Birdcage." Like their rivals at Ferrari
and Lancia, motorsports directly influenced Maserati's road cars,
but even well into the 1950s, they were still only a boutique
manufacturer that trickled out the occasional road car for the
purpose of funding their racing exploits. The Maserati brothers had
no interest in building road cars, and departed to form OSCA in
1947. By the early 1960s, Maserati's wealthy-industrialist owner
Adolfo Orsi found himself in some financial difficulties, and
needed a way to boost sales by a significant margin. Orsi tapped
his gifted engineer Giulio Alfieri to design a new GT car that
could finally establish the marque as a volume manufacturer.
Alfieri created a tubular chassis design which he paired with a
3,486cc inline-six with dual overhead camshafts to form the new
3500 GT. The engine shared its roots with the 350S sports racer,
which itself was based on the 250F Grand Prix car, so it had a
proven lineage. Unlike Mr. Ferrari, Alfieri was a proponent of
technology like disc brakes on all four wheels and even fuel
injection. The 3500 initially wore triple Weber carbs, then Alfieri
adapted the sophisticated Lucas P.I. fuel injection system which
boosted horsepower by about 20. He later increased displacement
from 3.5 to 3.7, then 4.0 liters for even more grunt. Maserati did
very well with the 3500, outselling Ferrari regularly and cementing
Maserati's status as a fullfledged manufacturer of beautiful,
high-performance GT cars. The chassis of the 3500 GT served as the
basis of several models, including the shortenedwheelbase Sebring
2+2, and the lighter, stiffer Frua-bodied Mistral. With the
Vignale-bodied Sebring, Maserati targeted Ferrari's primary
audience in America. The car was shorter and slightly sportier than
a 3500, but it still offered two occasional rear seats, a spacious
cabin, and available niceties such as air conditioning and even an
automatic transmission. Such luxuries appealed particularly to
American buyers, and Maserati sold approximately 600 examples
worldwide between 1962 and 1966. The Sebring proved to be a
terrific driver's car, with the gutsy twin-plug, dual-overhead-cam
inline-six, and luxurious cabin. The handsome styling by Giovanni
Michelotti for Vignale, bore a strong resemblance to the 3500 GT,
with an understated sophistication that defined Maserati's superb
Gran Turismos of the era. Presented here in its original colors of
Rosso Cordoba over Pelle Neutra, this 1965 Sebring 3500 GTI is a
superb example of Maserati's handsome high-performance grand
tourer. This car is exceptionally well-documented with factory
records and is one of just 94 Series II Sebrings equipped with the
injected 3.5-liter inline-six. The factory build order reveals this
car, chassis number AM101/10.021, was completed in March 1965, then
shipped to its first owner via Belgian Distributor Mr. Francois
Staumont, of Brussels. Original equipment listed on the build
sheets includes Borrani disc wheels, ZF 5-speed manual gearbox,
electric clock, color-matched carpets, and an optional Nardi sports
steering wheel. The car remained in Belgium for many years before
coming to the United States with its second owner, who commissioned
a high-quality ground-up restoration of the low-mileage original
car, ensuring it stayed remarkably true to original specification.
In the time since its restoration, this Sebring has enjoyed a
charmed life of consistent care, and it remains in excellent
condition. The gorgeous Rosso Cordoba color has a subtle hint of
metallic that suits the smart Vignale lines, and the paint quality
is excellent. Panel gaps are tight and even, and the doors fit
properly. The brightwork is superb, with straight alloy window
surrounds, and sill trims, and lovely bumpers showing only some
light polish marks on the surface. The car retains the distinct
Borrani Turbosport alloy wheels, which are in good condition all
around. Maserati has always offered uniquely stylish interiors, and
the Sebring is no exception. This car's light beige leather is in
excellent condition, displaying just enough character in the
leather to invite regular use. The original toggle switches and
heater slides are excellent and retain the oftmissing identifying
decals and labels. The gorgeous optional wood-rimmed Nardi wheel
remains in place, as does the original wood shift knob for the ZF
5-speed gearbox, Smiths instruments, and a period-correct Novak
radio. This fabulous Sebring offers practicality and style, ideal
for long-distance enjoyment. The original, numbers-matching
3.5-liter inline-six sits under the bonnet. It presents correctly
with wrinkle finish cam covers and plenums, and importantly, it
retains the original Lucas P.I. fuel injection system. Records show
Lucas specialists Power Props of the Netherlands completely
restored the system, and it remains in proper working order. In the
spring of 2019, the brake system, clutch hydraulics, cooling
system, and ignition received comprehensive servicing. The
undercarriage is clean and tidy, befitting a well-maintained car
that has seen consistent use. This rare and desirable
numbers-matching Sebring benefits from long-term care with
attentive owners, and it presents beautifully with an honest,
usable character. Comfortable, practical, and with a robust
race-bred drivetrain, this elegant Sebring is the quintessential
1960s Maserati and superb Grand Touring car in the finest Italian
tradition. Offers welcome and trades considered For additional
details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6532-1965-maserati-sebring-coupe/
