1961 Maserati 3500GT Race Car

Ten years after the introduction of Maserati's first road car, it was the 3500GT Coupe model that effectively achieved the marque's transition from racing car to road car manufacturer. Introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1957, the 3500 GT was a major departure for Maserati, a luxurious high speed gran turismo intended from its inception to be built in quantities heretofore unprecedented at Maserati. Some 1900 Coupes were built during its nine years production run.

The brand new straight six long stroke engine, with twin camshafts and twin-plug ignition, was the first Maserati engine designed specifically and exclusively for production vehicles, without racing in mind.

The original concept for the car, devised by owner Adolfo Orsi and designer Giulio Alfieri, called for a fast GT that would be exciting to drive but also comfortable and practical for daily use. Maserati demonstrated exceptional attention to the customer and was a pioneer in making after-sales services a key marketing area. Many celebrity owners got behind the wheel of a 3500 GT, including Prince Rainier III of Monaco, the tenor Giuseppe di Stefano, actors Alberto Sordi, Tony Curtis, Stewart Granger, Rock Hudson and Anthony Quinn. Franco Cornacchia - a gentleman racing driver, who later became Maserati's representative in Milan, regularly drove 3500 GTs between Milan and Modena on the Autostrada del Sole, setting a toll-to-toll record of 39 minutes over approximately 160 km. With triple twin-choke Weber carburettors it developed 230 hp and provided plenty of torque. Top speed exceeded 210 kph (130 mph). ZF supplied the four-speed gearbox (five-speed from 1960 and three-speed-automatic on request), whilst other elements were sourced from the best suppliers of the day: Salisbury rear axle, Girling brakes, Alford & Adler suspension, Burman & Sons steering box, Borg & Beck clutch - and so on. Front disc brakes became available as an option from 1959. Some 1900 3500GT Coupes were built in total and in recent years have become very desirable classic cars.

This particular car was manufactured in 1961 and was rebuilt for racing in 1983 in Italy where it was campaigned with FIA papers until it was imported to the UK. The car received an 8 page feature in the Italian magazine "Ruoteclassiche" in September 1992. Acquired by the present owner in 2002 and treated to a £10,000+ engine rebuild by Maserati Marque specialist, Bill McGrath, the car has current FIA Papers for Period E - 1947 - 1961 Class GTS7 and has been successfully driven in HSCC events whilst invites to several other prestigious events continue to be received. Eligible for the Carol Spagg pre '63 GT Series.

The car being offered has the desirable close ratio 5-speed ZF gearbox and has been set up on a rolling road at Hi-Tech Motorsport and provides 213bhp at 5550RPM with printouts to confirm.

Believed to be the only Maserati 3500GT Coupe in race trim in the UK it has been maintained regardless of cost and is described by the owner as 'on the button', reliable, quick car, ready to go - with the exception of needing new seat belts. The car comes with the following spares: set of wheels (two of which have racing tyres fitted) a radiator, a gearbox, a spare set of coil springs and a spare front anti-rollbar.

Laptimes recorded by the current owner include:

Silverstone -- National circuit 1:16.4

Donington -- 1:34.0

Cadwell -- 1:58.0

Oulton Park -- 2:15.5