1962 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder by Vignale

• Ordered on 20/08/1962 via C. Auto Paris S.L of Barcelona by the first of 3 Spanish owners
• Powered by a 220bhp, 3.5-litre, 6-cylinder, twin-spark ignition and triple Webers
• Fitted from new with Ruote Borrani polished wires and a 5-speed ZF manual gearbox
• Based on the 3500 GT, just 245 Vignale-bodied Spyders were produced between 1960/4
• A rival to the Ferrari California Spyder, the Maserati offers incredible value in comparison today
• Engine and gearbox numbers correspond with the Maserati-supplied copy build records
• Just three owners in 58 years and freshly MOT'd. The odometer reading is 84,584km (atoc)

The 1950s had proved very successful for Maserati in both sports car and Grand Prix racing and in 1957 the Italian sports car manufacturer announced an exciting new road car called the 3500GT. The rakish new car was styled by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan and featured their new hallmark 'Superleggera' body construction which consisted of lightweight aluminium body panels supported underneath with thin steel tubing that formed the shape of the car. The engine was a road-going version of the competition 300/350S motor, a double overhead camshaft straight-six unit with two spark plugs per cylinder, fuelled by a set of triple side-draft Weber carburettors and Lucas fuel injection that was offered later in the model's production. Many chose the fuel-injected engine when new but as the technology was in its infancy a great number of 3500 GT engines were converted retrospectively to Weber carburettors. Factory original Weber-engined cars are therefore very rare.

Presented at the 1957 Geneva Motor Show, the 3500GT was an instant hit and it wasn't long before Maserati realised there could be a great demand for an open version to be produced. Carrozerria Frua had built a Spyder prototype on an early 3500GT chassis in 1957 and Carrozzeria Touring constructed two open-top versions, however, it was Carrozzeria Vignale who were sanctioned to produce the car for Maserati in 1959. Interestingly the Spyder didn't feature Touring's 'Superleggera' construction but was built with a steel body with an aluminium bonnet and boot lid. The wheelbase was shortened and front disc brakes and a limited-slip differential were options in 1959 and became standard equipment from 1960 onward with rear brake discs introduced as standard equipment in 1962.

This delightful car was ordered new on 20th August 1962 via C. Auto Paris S.L, Enrique Granados, 1161 Barcelona, Spain and the car, we are informed, was delivered on 9th November of that year to artist Jorge Bascones. The Maserati supplied Certificate of Origin and build records show the car was ordered in the ultimate specification for the model with triple Weber carburettors, five-speed ZF manual gearbox and Borrani wire wheels. Although the order form states the colour as Biancospino/white we are informed that previous owners have stated it has always been blue, and the interior is in factory-correct red leather.

Presented in excellent condition, this superb example has been cherished throughout its life and has benefited from cosmetic works in recent decades, including the aforementioned re-trimmed interior in the 1990s. The car joined one of Spain's largest private car and motorcycle collections amassed by its second owner in Catalonia. Now offered from a significant private collection, the custodian of which is the car's third Spanish owner, a noted Spanish neurosurgeon and collector. The car is in the UK on a NOVA, has been freshly MOTd and the odometer reading was 84,584km at the time of cataloguing. To conclude, therefore, we believe that the Maserati 3500 GT Spyder offers incredible value today against the car's in-period rival, the Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder, recent sales of which have topped $20,000,000. As one of the prettiest Maseratis ever produced, this car deserves serious consideration and we welcome any inspection.

You can book an appointment (up to one hour) to view this lot at our central location at Hall 1, NAEC Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, CV8 2LG Monday to Friday between the 1st and 12th November. Please contact Arwel on 07434 960868 or arwel@silverstoneauctions.com to secure your appointment or to discuss the car in more detail. The health and safety of both our customers and team remain the utmost priority, we are therefore operating to strict COVID-19 guidelines and full instructions for arrival and inspection protocols will be given when making your appointment.

Photography credit: Tim Scott.