Lot details
Registration No: YFO 778
Chassis No: 1012384
Mot Expiry: July 2008

By the mid 1950s, the Maserati-owning Orsi family were locked in battle with Modenese neighbour Ferrari for the Formula 1 and Sportscar World Championships. Accruing silverware and haemorrhaging money at similar rates, the Casa del Tridente needed to undergo a major culture shift if it was to survive. Used to building road cars to special order only, chief engineer Giulio Alfieri suddenly found himself challenged with creating a series production design. Unveiled at the March 1957 Geneva Salon, the resultant 3500GT necessarily contained a large proportion of competition DNA. Derived from that of its 350S sports racer sibling, the newcomer's tubular steel chassis was equipped with various proprietary components including: a ZF four-speed manual gearbox, Borg and Beck clutch, leaf-sprung Salisbury back axle and Alford and Adler independent coil-and-wishbone front suspension. A development of the unit which powered Fangio to the 1957 F1 title, its 3485cc DOHC straight-six engine boasted a seven-bearing crankshaft, alloy sump / block / head and twin-plug ignition. Although the likes of Vignale, Allemano, Frua, Bertone, Boneschi, Moretti and Touring all bodied the 3500GT, it was with the latter's handsome aluminium fixed-head coupe coachwork that the model became synonymous. Progressively developed, the 2+2 Gran Turismo could be had with optional front disc brakes and a limited slip differential in 1959 (both standardised the following year), while 1961 brought four-wheel disc brakes, a stronger five-speed ZF gearbox and Lucas fuel-injection. Developing a quoted 235bhp and 232lbft of torque (some 15bhp up on its Weber-fed predecessor), the 3500GTi was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 8.1 seconds and 138mph. In production from late 1957 until 1964, just 2,226 3500GT / 3500GTis are thought to have been made (including 1,973 Touring Superleggera coupes).

Finished in red with black leather upholstery, this particular left-hand drive example is described by the seller as being in "excellent" condition with regard to its chassis, bodywork, paintwork, five-speed manual gearbox and wheels / tyres (while, he rates the engine, interior trim and electrical equipment as "good"). According to unsubstantiated information posted on Ruud Bax's 3500GT Registry website, there is some suggestion that chassis '101-2384' was (a) once owned by a French aristocrat and (b) spent most of its life in Monaco prior to being imported to the UK during 1976. Reportedly the subject of "extensive restoration work over the past few months", 'YFO 778' is understood to have first come to the vendor's attention when it was displayed aboard a trailer at the Newark Antiques Fair some ten years ago. Riding on desirable Borrani wire wheels (an expensive option when new), this charismatic Italian GT car is offered for sale with MOT certificate valid until July 2008. Somewhat underappreciated today (perhaps because of its lower marque profile), the Maserati 3500GT / GTi was more successful in period than rivals such as the Ferrari 250GTE / 250GT Lusso and Aston Martin DB4.