Description
2001 Maserati 3200GT Assetto Corsa
Chassis: ZAMAA38Dthe details below
Registration: MX51 HTF
• Very low mileage of 5, 434 miles from new.
• No 5 of 75 special edition Assetto Corsa models.
• 370 bhp, 3. 2-litre twin-turbo V8.
• Automatic gearbox.
• Stunning original condition.
The advent of the 3200GT in 1998 heralded the start of a new era for Maserati. Sleek new coupe styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Ital Design brought Maserati up to date and the whole production line in Modena was renewed to give this car every chance of success. It worked and is the car on which the future of the company has been built.
Brutal performance from a 3. 2-litre twin-turbo V8 engine was one of the car’s main assets but the detail that most remember is those unique ‘boomerang’ rear lights. Over 800 examples were delivered new in the UK, by far the most successful model to that date and the Maseratisti absolutely loved them.
In 2001 Maserati launched a special edition called ‘Assetto Corsa’ or race kit. New springs and uprated dampers, new wheel design with sticky track day tyres and an uprated steering rack to give sharper feel were the main mechanical changes, along with some interior details and of course, a limited edition plaque. There were 75 Assetto Corsa models sold in the UK, with a mix of 6-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmission.
This particular automatic example was sold new here by Stratstones in Manchester in September 2001. The first owner kept it less than a year but the second would keep it for nearly a decade. However, in that time, it covered only 5, 000 miles.
The current owner first saw the car for sale in 2011 and was already the owner of another Assetto Corsa, which he loved so much that he drove it most of the time. Worried about the mileage this car was accruing, he took the slightly extravagant step of buying this very low mileage car and putting it away for the future – for a time when he’d worn out the first one!
Before putting the car into storage, he enlisted our help to carry out a round of work to make it as perfect as possible, after which he couldn’t resist a couple of drives in the car, just to bond with it you understand. However, into storage it went, only to come out for regular MOT tests and another ‘preventative maintenance’ service with us in 2018. The mileage then was 5, 396 and again, soon after, it returned to storage – part of a private collection of Maseratis here in the UK.
Recently we were asked to sell that collection and therefore the Assetto Corsa now comes to the market. While there have been a few ultra-low 3200GTs sold recently, this is likely to be the lowest mileage AC version left. What can we say – it’s like a new car inside and out. The mileage today stands at 5, 434.
We have recommissioned and MOT tested the car (including major cam belt service) and it will be sold with a new set of tyres – to the preference of the new owner. It has a comprehensive file to support the mileage too, but you only have to take a look to know.
3200GTs in general have a very loyal following and we look after a number of them for enthusiast owners. In one sense, this car represents a very cost-effective way to buy a limited edition car as it is in such astoundingly good condition. It is like resetting the clock to 2001 and driving an almost new car – and they are good to drive. Or maybe you know that already and are just looking for one to salt away for the future too.
