1964 Maserati 3500 GTi

• Delivered new in Paris at Garage Thepenier
• Matching chassis and engine
• Restored condition
• Converted to Weber carburettors

Despite numerous racetrack successes that included Juan Manuel Fangio's fifth World Championship - at the wheel of a 250F - and runner-up spot in the World Sports Car Championship with the fabulous 450S - both in 1957 - Maserati was by that time facing a bleak future. Its parent company's financial difficulties forced a withdrawal from racing, and Maserati's survival strategy for the 1960s centred on establishing the company as a producer of road cars.

The Modena marque's new era began in 1957 with the launch of the 3500 GT, its first road car built in significant numbers. A luxury 2+2 featuring beautiful Superleggera aluminium coachwork by Touring, 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.

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.

A car possessing such impeccable antecedents not unnaturally attracted the attention of Italy's finest carrozzerie: Allemano, Bertone and Frua all created bodies for the 3500 GT chassis. Most coupés were the work of Touring, while all but one (a Frua-bodied example) of the much less common Spyder version were the work of Vignale.

The example offered here represents the pinnacle of the model's development, being delivered with the five-speed ZF gearbox, disc brakes all round. Rare original options include a limited-slip differential, while the Lucas injection has been replaced with a more easily maintained triple Weber carburettor setup. Delivered new to France via Maserati's distributor Thepenier in Paris, the car was originally finished in Argento Auteuil and is now Verde Opale, a colour listed in the Maserati catalogue, while the interior was originally red and is now trimmed in brown leather.

Between 2020 and 2024 the Maserati was comprehensively restored both mechanically and cosmetically, inside and out. According to the owner: "the engine and gearbox were removed, dismantled and overhauled. As they were in very good working order, no work other than the overhaul and routine maintenance was required. The vehicle itself was completely dismantled so that all its parts could be inspected. The chassis showed no signs of rust, and the bodywork had not suffered from the corrosion typical of aluminium. The entire vehicle was properly stripped and sanded down. The upholstery and floor mats were completely refitted. The electrical system was inspected, and all mechanical components were serviced, repaired or replaced depending on their condition." A 2024 expertise report describes the car as in 'very good condition'.

Accompanying paperwork includes the original user guide; Maserati Classiche certificate (describing technical and aesthetic features); original order confirmation, delivery note, and export documentation between Officine Maserati and Thepenier; and the original purchase order (describing technical and aesthetic features) from Pagnussat Chandet et Cie in Monaco to Thepenier. The car also comes with a file of invoices for works, spares and parts; a French certificate of registration; a technical inspection and the abovementioned 2024 expert report.