Gregor Wenner
Specialist Consultant
LOT 171
1966 Maserati Mistral 4000 Coupé Coachwork by Carrozzeria Frua Chassis no. AM109A1629
Estimate: €150,000 - €200,000
Lot 171
Exceptional condition
1966 Maserati Mistral 4000 Coupé
1966 Maserati Mistral 4000 Coupé
1966 Maserati Mistral 4000 Coupé
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Frua
Chassis no. AM109A1629
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Frua
Chassis no. AM109A1629
• EU-delivery from new
• One of only 828 Mistral Coupés produced
• Ultimate and most desirable 4.0-litre engine
• Aluminium coachwork
• ZF five-speed manual gearbox
• Recently restored to original factory colour combination
Maserati's survival strategy for the 1960s centred on establishing the company - which hitherto had mainly concentrated on its Grand Prix and sports car racing activities - as a producer of road cars. The Modena marque's new era began in 1957 with the launch at the Geneva Salon of the Touring-bodied 3500 GT. A luxury aluminium-bodied '2+2', the 3500 GT drew heavily on Maserati's competition experience, employing a tubular chassis frame and an engine derived from the 350S sports car unit of 1956. Suspension was independent at the front by wishbones and coil springs, while at the back there was a conventional live axle/semi-elliptic arrangement. The 3500 GT's designer was none other than Giulio Alfieri, creator of the immortal Tipo 60/61 'Birdcage' sports-racer and the man responsible for developing the 250F into a World Championship winner. The twin-overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine was a close relative of that used in the 250F and developed around 220bhp initially, later examples producing 235bhp on Lucas mechanical fuel injection. Built initially with drum brakes and four-speed transmission, the 3500 GT was progressively updated, gaining five speeds, front disc brakes and, finally, all-disc braking.
The next development of the theme arrived in 1962. Built on the short-wheelbase chassis of the Vignale-bodied 3500 GT Spyder, the Sebring coupé featured a five-speed gearbox, disc brakes and fuel injection as standard equipment, with automatic transmission, air conditioning and a limited-slip differential available as options.
Last of the classic six-cylinder Maseratis, the Pietro Frua-styled Mistral commenced production in 1963. The 3.7-litre version of the famous long-stroke engine was fitted to most cars, other options being the 3.5-litre or, from 1966, the 4.0-litre unit, all of which came with Lucas fuel injection. A handsome two-seater on a shortened, square-tube chassis, the aluminium-bodied Mistral was built in Coupé and Spyder versions, the former's opening rear window hatch making it unusually practical for a sports car. As with the Sebring, a five-speed gearbox, disc brakes and fuel injection were standard equipment; automatic transmission, air conditioning and a limited-slip differential the options. Mistral production ceased in 1970, by which time a total of 828 Coupés and 123 Spyders had been built.
Imported into Belgium from Spain in 2012, this gorgeous Maserati Mistral 4000 Coupé is in exceptional condition. Retaining its original engine, this matching-numbers car is an original European version that was meticulously restored by the vendors a few years ago. They describe it as having a very solid body with excellent panel fit and Grigio Auteuil paintwork as recorded from new. The car retains its sublime original black leather interior and features tinted windows all round and new Borrani chrome wheels. The vendors describe it as being mechanically in excellent condition and therefore in first class running and driving order. A real driver's car, ideal for classic tours or holiday driving, this top-quality Mistral 4000 Coupé comes with old Spanish and current Belgian registration papers.
• One of only 828 Mistral Coupés produced
• Ultimate and most desirable 4.0-litre engine
• Aluminium coachwork
• ZF five-speed manual gearbox
• Recently restored to original factory colour combination
Maserati's survival strategy for the 1960s centred on establishing the company - which hitherto had mainly concentrated on its Grand Prix and sports car racing activities - as a producer of road cars. The Modena marque's new era began in 1957 with the launch at the Geneva Salon of the Touring-bodied 3500 GT. A luxury aluminium-bodied '2+2', the 3500 GT drew heavily on Maserati's competition experience, employing a tubular chassis frame and an engine derived from the 350S sports car unit of 1956. Suspension was independent at the front by wishbones and coil springs, while at the back there was a conventional live axle/semi-elliptic arrangement. The 3500 GT's designer was none other than Giulio Alfieri, creator of the immortal Tipo 60/61 'Birdcage' sports-racer and the man responsible for developing the 250F into a World Championship winner. The twin-overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine was a close relative of that used in the 250F and developed around 220bhp initially, later examples producing 235bhp on Lucas mechanical fuel injection. Built initially with drum brakes and four-speed transmission, the 3500 GT was progressively updated, gaining five speeds, front disc brakes and, finally, all-disc braking.
The next development of the theme arrived in 1962. Built on the short-wheelbase chassis of the Vignale-bodied 3500 GT Spyder, the Sebring coupé featured a five-speed gearbox, disc brakes and fuel injection as standard equipment, with automatic transmission, air conditioning and a limited-slip differential available as options.
Last of the classic six-cylinder Maseratis, the Pietro Frua-styled Mistral commenced production in 1963. The 3.7-litre version of the famous long-stroke engine was fitted to most cars, other options being the 3.5-litre or, from 1966, the 4.0-litre unit, all of which came with Lucas fuel injection. A handsome two-seater on a shortened, square-tube chassis, the aluminium-bodied Mistral was built in Coupé and Spyder versions, the former's opening rear window hatch making it unusually practical for a sports car. As with the Sebring, a five-speed gearbox, disc brakes and fuel injection were standard equipment; automatic transmission, air conditioning and a limited-slip differential the options. Mistral production ceased in 1970, by which time a total of 828 Coupés and 123 Spyders had been built.
Imported into Belgium from Spain in 2012, this gorgeous Maserati Mistral 4000 Coupé is in exceptional condition. Retaining its original engine, this matching-numbers car is an original European version that was meticulously restored by the vendors a few years ago. They describe it as having a very solid body with excellent panel fit and Grigio Auteuil paintwork as recorded from new. The car retains its sublime original black leather interior and features tinted windows all round and new Borrani chrome wheels. The vendors describe it as being mechanically in excellent condition and therefore in first class running and driving order. A real driver's car, ideal for classic tours or holiday driving, this top-quality Mistral 4000 Coupé comes with old Spanish and current Belgian registration papers.
Saleroom notices
We are pleased to confirm that this lot is offered with a Maserati Certificate confirming the Chassis number as AM109S1629 and not as listed in the printed and online catalogue. Remarkably, the "S" prefix (for Spyder) is an anomaly from the factory since new as confirmed by the certificate.
Additional information
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