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1961 - Maserati 3500 GT Chassis no. 101.1824
See original version (French)
40
-
1961 - Maserati 3500 GT Chassis no. 101.1824
See original version (French)
Estimate €80,000 - €120,000
Voluntary lot
Description
1961 - Maserati 3500 GT
Chassis no. 101.1824
French collector's registration document
Vehicle sold without technical inspection.
"Ex Paris Show 1961
The Maserati 3500 GT marked the beginning of the brand's modern era in 1957. After winning the Formula 1 world title with Fangio and officially retiring from racing, Maserati turned its attention to production Gran Turismos capable of rivalling Ferrari, particularly in the United States. Designed by Carrozzeria Touring using the Superleggera technique, the car's elegant, sporty lines were a real eye-catcher.
Its 3.5-litre in-line 6-cylinder engine, derived from racing, produced 220 bhp, rising to 235 bhp in 1961 with Lucas fuel injection, for a top speed of 230 km/h. Launched in series production in 1958, the 3500 GT relaunched Maserati's sales thanks to an international network of importers. A total of 2,228 examples were produced up to 1964, ensuring the revival of the brand and inspiring its entire future range.
Our example has an absolutely unique history... As its file shows, it was the Maserati agency on the Quai Carnot in Saint-Cloud that ordered the 3500 GTI #1824 from the Officine Maserati in this metallic grey colour with a navy blue leather interior. The dispatch note, dated 2 October 1961, reads "vettura destinata salone dell'automobile di Parigi", which in fact opened three days later at the Grand Palais! It was probably during this show that Mr De P. fell under the spell of this 3500 GTI. Five days after the end of the show, on 20 October, an invoice was issued by the importer Thépenier for the sale of this car to this enthusiast, with the added bonus of the trade-in of his Lancia Flaminia. He kept #1824 until March 1963, when he traded it in for a Sebring.
The 3500 GTI then passed into the hands of a French businessman. Seven years later, with the injection taking its toll, he gave his 3500 to Mr G., who kept it until 2007! It was then bought by a French motoring historian, who took care to retrace its entire history in a captivating dossier. He only kept the car for a year, just long enough to get it back on the road and complete the restoration that had been started. #1824 then spent four years with a collector in the north of France, who had a few mechanical problems before selling it to the historian. It was this collector who removed the car's engine and had it restored in Italy, the radiator in Belgium and the running gear in France. Covid was to prevent the project from being completed, and our beautiful Italian car has since remained in dry storage, alongside its engine (non-matching block, unknown exchange date, conversion to carburettors).
Today, #1824 has an interesting patina, even if its paintwork, probably redone in the early 2000s, has blistered in places. So it's up to an enthusiast in search of a historic car and a complete, easy restoration project to get back to work!
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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