1961 Maserati 3500 GT

In the 1950s the Maserati company owners Adolfo and Omer Orsi tasked chief engineer Giulio Alfieri to design a new and reliable GT production model that could be made in reasonable numbers.

The new car was designated Tipo AM101 and debuted as the ‘3500 GT’ at the 1957 Geneva Motor Show where it was displayed with a 2+2 body designed by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan.

The new Maserati had a 3,500 cc six-cylinder engine derived from the 350S sports racing prototype and featured a light-alloy block and cylinder head with twin-spark plugs per cylinder. Triple chains drove the twin camshafts and a wet-sump oil system replaced the dry sump of the 350S.

The understated and elegant body was designed by Carrozzeria Touring and was constructed to their Superleggera (superlightweight) principles of alloy panels over small diameter steel tubes.

The 3500 GT sold to the rich and famous and epitomised the Italian ‘Dolce Vita’ period. The car’s blend of luxury and performance was so compelling that it famously impressed the Shah of Iran, directly inspiring him to commission the bespoke Maserati 5000 GT, a rare example of a production car giving birth to one of the most exclusive grand tourers ever built.

The first 3500 GTs featured a four-speed ZF gearbox and finned drum brakes but in 1969 Maserati offered the option of Girling front disc brakes and in 1960 a five-speed ZF gearbox.

The certificate on file for chassis 1550 confirms the car was ordered from Maserati dealer Cornacchia of Milan on the 30th March 1961 and was delivered to its first owner, a Mr. Mario Guardamagna of Pavia, Italy on the 16th May 1961. The new Maserati was specified in Verde Tevere (green) with an interior trimmed in Pelle Marrone PAC 1386 (brown).

The car’s certificate from Maserati confirms it retains its original engine. Chassis 1550 is also equipped with the desirable options of front disc brakes and five-speed ZF gearbox.

The five-speed ZF gearbox is not merely an upgrade but a defining part of the car’s character. Its beautifully machined internals deliver a precise, deliberate shift with a satisfying mechanical resistance, encouraging a relaxed yet engaged driving style ideally suited to long-distance grand touring. The 3500 GT offers a deeply analogue driving experience. Every input, steering, throttle and gearshift, communicates directly with the driver, creating a sense of involvement that modern cars simply cannot replicate.

In August 1966 the car was acquired by Bianca Milani of Padova and in February 1978 was sold to Mechele Salomone. In April 1981 it was in the possession of Societa VIP Auto S. r. L of Padova before being acquired by Guido Ferrari of Reggio Emilia.

The car was subsequently exported to the United States and was purchased in November 2000 from K & K Vintage Motorcars by Harry Garschagen. In June 2001 Touring Auto Ltd. of Illinois carried out various mechanical jobs including replacing the fuel lines and coolant hoses and rebuilding the radiator, distributor, generator, rear brake caliper, oil cooler and master cylinder.

In February 2002 Harry Garschagen had the Maserati assessed by Knute Kolmann of Classic Italian Sportscars of Redwood City, California and in 2003 the decision was made for Kolmann to completely restore the car.

The original engine was removed along with the gearbox. The engine was then stripped, cleaned and fully rebuilt which included bore honing the block and machining the crankshaft which was re-fitted with new bearings. The cylinder head was rebuilt with new guides and seals. New piston rings were fitted and the carburettors, water pump and oil pump were rebuilt. In addition the flywheel surface was reground.

The differential crown wheel and pinion were inspected and found to be in excellent order. The front and rear suspension was rebuilt with new bushes, grease nipples and cotter pins. The front and rear brakes and hubs were also rebuilt as was the fuel sender. Other new parts included a full exhaust system, fuel lines and clutch housing.

The body was completely stripped and repaired and then painted by Dan Pardini’s Autobody and Fabrication in a very attractive dark blue, the colour code of the Ferrari 250 GT California Spider.

Minor parts were bead blasted and zinc plated and the brightwork rechromed by Paul’s Chrome Plating Inc. of Pennsylvania.

The interior was retrimmed by Chris Hawken of V.I.P. European Auto Interiors of Tempe, Arizona in cognac leather complimented by blue carpets.

The comprehensive restoration was completed in 2007 and invoices on file total around £180,000.

The car was then entered into the 2007 Concorso Italiano where it won ‘Best Maserati’. Over the next three years the car was also displayed at the Presidio of San Francisco Concours d’Elegance, Carmel Concours on the Avenue in California and the Hillsborough Concours.

In 2010 the Maserati was acquired by a prominent British collector who imported it into the UK and in 2013 Maserati UK invited the car to be displayed at that year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The car has been driven sparingly since its four-year restoration and has been carefully stored when not in use.

Today this beautiful Maserati 3500 GT remains in superb condition and must be one of the best examples extant. In addition the options of front disc brakes and five-speed gearbox dramatically improve the driving experience.

The car also comes with an extensive history file which runs to three folders and includes the Estratto Cronologico that illustrates its Italian ownership history and multiple photographs that document its restoration.

In summary, few cars embody the spirit of Italian grand touring so completely; fewer still do so with such elegance, mechanical integrity and enduring cultural significance.