The 3500 GT was the first road car produced by an Italian brand. It became an important part of the brand’s history, helping to establish the reputation of an automobile manufacturer in addition to its racing image.
Source: Supercars.net
The Maserati 3500 GT was the first production vehicle built by an Italian manufacturer of the same name. Designed by Aldo Brovarone, who also penned 5000 GT, this performance automobile was a 2+2 seater coupé available with gray leather upholstery and red carpets, or Saddle Brown leather upholstery and matching carpets. The futuristic design and elegant proportions of the roadster represented a break from the short-lived “Boxer” era of the brand, which preceded it. A prototype four-seater two-door sports coupe, created under the leadership of the company’s chief engineer Giulio Alfieri, was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 1957.
Source: Mecum Auctions
Before the introduction of the production 3500 GT, Maserati was in a relentless pursuit of racing glory. By the mid-50s competition with Ferrari reached its highest point, and new victories became more and more difficult. The races took a lot of time and money, which hit the financial state of the Orsi family (brand’s founders) harshly. At the same time, Europe recovered from the war, and living standards and road quality improved significantly. This contributed to the return of expensive automobiles to the market. The future of the company depended on whether it could gain a foothold in the segment of luxury sports vehicles of the Gran Turismo class and increase production from tens to hundreds of units a year. Thus 1957 became a turning point for the Italian brand, as the introduction of the 3500 GT opened up a whole new period for mass production. Equipped with a tubular frame, an in-line 6-cylinder engine with a DOHC valve scheme, and hemispherical combustion chambers, the automobile could develop a power of 230 hp. Those parts were manufactured in Italy, however, the rest had to be sourced from the UK and Germany. The vehicle received a ZF 4-speed manual transmission, Salisbury rear axle, Alford & Alder suspension, Girling brakes, etc. Interestingly, at the 1957 Geneva Motor Show, the company introduced two prototypes – one with an Allemano-made body, the second from Touring, known as the “White Lady”. The “White Lady” won the hearts of the public and this body went into series production. In 1959, an open version appeared from the Vignale studio, designed by Giovanni Michelotti. In 1961, a modification of the 3500 GTi was released with Lucas mechanical fuel injection, with a power of 235 hp. In total, from 1957 to 1964, the company sold 2226 vehicles, which was 15 times more than all previous models combined.
Source: Carrozzieri-Italiani
The 3500 GT was a 2+2 coupe powered by an Inline 6 engine. The vehicle was driven by a SOHC all-alloy, quad-cam 4 valve per cylinder straight-four at the front with a capacity of 3.5 liters. It was first produced in 1957, called for one year as the 3500, and then renamed “GT”. The body had been designed by Carrozzeria Boano and built by Pininfarina, which also constructed both coupes and convertibles depending on customer demand. The interior upholstery designs were created by Franco Martinengo, brother of Tino Martinengo who set out his idea in Maserati’s Style Studio in Turin. The body was built using proprietary Superleggera technology from extruded aluminum panels on a steel tubular frame. In road setup with three Weber carburetors, Marelli twin ignition, dual fuel pump, and wet sump lubrication system, it developed 220 hp and accelerated to 220 km/h. The roadster received a tubular frame, an independent front suspension with double wishbones and springs, a dependent rear suspension with semi-elliptical springs, telescopic shock absorbers, and anti-roll bars, as well as steering in the form of a recirculating ball and 16-inch wheels with diagonal Pirelli Cinturato tires. The roadster was very expensive, but the company showed exceptional attention to its customers and provided quality after-sales service. The model was owned by Prince Rainier III of Monaco, singer Giuseppe di Stefano and actors Tony Curtis, Stuart Granger, Anthony Quinn, Rock Hudson, and Alberto Sordi.
Source: Mecum Auctions
The 1957 Maserati 3500 GT was the last model that incorporated the traditional ‘Superleggera’ technique of the factory, which ensured that the automobile was both lightweight and extremely rigid. The roadster had a body of glass-reinforced plastic resin, placed on a steel floor.
Contact us if you have this or another classic car to sell.
| Mon - Fri Saturday Sunday |
9am - 6pm 9am - 3pm Closed |