Maserati’s first road car to be built in significant quantities, the 3500GT, was crucial to the commercial success of the brand. Fortunately the combination of a six cylinder engine from their 350S racing car, the best off the shelf components available and a Supperleggera body from Carrozzeria Touring proved popular. With reviewers describing them as being ‘as good to drive as they look’, they are now highly sought after as a classic GT car.
This example was first registered in Italy but spent most of its life in the US before coming to the UK via Dubai. It was the subject of a largely cosmetic restoration in 2009 and has recently had a full engine rebuild but has never needed the sort of body-off restoration that many of its peers have, probably due to having been in a dry location in the US.
The paintwork, while presentable, is showing some patina close up but this has encouraged the current owner to use it far more than he does his other two 3500GTs because he doesn’t have to worry about it.
So whether you’re looking for a beautiful sixties GT car that you can enjoy day to day or a mechanically refreshed matching numbers car that could form the basis for a fresh cosmetic restoration then this could be the one for you.
One of the striking features of a standard 3500GT interior is the body coloured dashboard which is why, on first glance, the wood finish looks unusual. On closer inspection it turns out to be wood grain effect paint which is thought to have been applied during the 2009 restoration.
It certainly gives the cabin a different feel but, that said, the rest of the interior is to the original design although the front seats were returned to Italy to be reupholstered and remain in excellent condition while the rears look rather more patinated, with a scratch on the bolster between them.
The dials and switchgear all function exactly as they should and the carpets, while thought to be original, remain in good condition. Up above, the headlining is clean and taut, though does have a two inch tear on one of the rear pillars.
The boot comes with its original trimming which is in good order and under the floor is a full sized spare wheel which is fitted with a new tyre.
The red paintwork shows off the beautiful lines of the Touring body and is nicely complimented by Borrani wire wheels. The chrome is thought to have been refinished in the 2009 restoration and remains in very good order.
Unusually, the bumpers appear to be the steel original items too, as the application of a magnet attests. The vendor also thinks that the front indicators are also original which is apparently rare.
Up close, the paintwork reveals a level of patina that is apparent across the whole body but, probably as a consequence of being in a dry part of California, there doesn’t appear yet to be any evidence of the blistering that can occur as a result of the reaction between the Superleggera tubing and the aluminium body.
The wheels are in good condition and wear tyres that all have good tread and, although their age is unknown, they don’t seem to be showing any cracking. Underneath, the seller reports that everything looks to be solid and that the original factory paint and underseal is present.
The original engine is fitted and is reported to have had a recent ‘no expense spared’ rebuild with new pistons, conrods, crankshaft, flywheel and clutch. It starts first time, hot or cold with a lovely straight six snarl and shows good oil pressure on the gauge.
The seller owns three 3500GTs, the other two of which are more in the vein of show cars, and reports that this example is by far the best to drive, easily keeping up with modern traffic, stopping on a sixpence and changing gear very smoothly.
On the road, the only untoward noise is an occasional rattle from the left hand door but the owner assures us that it doesn’t detract from the very pleasurable experience of driving the car.
A lovely example of the rare and beautiful sixties GT that offers scope for some cosmetic improvement but can be enjoyed immediately.
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1961 Maserati 3500GT
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