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| Maserati 3500 GTI (1965) - elegant coupé-style with generously glazed rear |
In the mid-fifties, a new segment of sports car buyers emerged. Entrepreneurs, stars and otherwise Successful thirsty for fast luxury sports cars, they did not want to race, but quickly be on the road better and better developed road.
Maserati, respectively engineer Giulio Alfieri, quickly recognized this trend and built an elegant two-plus-two-seater sports car that combined existing technology with new ideas. And new ideas were needed at a time when Maserati was suffering from sensitive financial problems.
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| Maserati 3500 GT (1957) - the prototype of Touring, called "Dama Bianca (White Lady) |
The new GT as an asset
The Automobil Revue wrote in 1958: "Maserati's assets include an automobile that was assembled just a year ago and has now reached a remarkable level of maturity within this relatively short period of time, namely the 3 1/2-liter Gran Turismo. This imposing six-cylinder is a luxurious two- to four-car for fast travel. The 240 hp engine is to allow a top speed of up to 230 km / h according to factory specifications. "
In fact, Alfieri had already presented the new coupe in March 1957 in Geneva. The shown prototype of Touring went down in history because of its white livery as "Dama Bianca". The prototype was only slightly different from the production version, whose production was recorded in the same year.
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| Maserati 3500 GT Coupe (Touring), 1958-61 |
Six-cylinder with legendary ancestors
The classic racing engines from Maserati were the inspiration for the development of the new inline six-cylinder engine. Two overhead camshafts controlled inclined valves. The three twin carburettors from Weber were mounted on the right side to lower the overall height of the unit. Impressive 69 hp per liter of displacement delivered equipped with a Marelli dual ignition engine. A four-speed gearbox (later also a five-speed ZF transmission available) provided for the transmission of power to the rear axle.
Proven Maserati construction principles
The chassis was a tubular frame, as it was used in principle in the race car. While the rear axle was designed to be rigid and had leaf springs, independent front suspensions were used on trapezoidal wishbones. Drum brakes, which later disc brakes, provided for the delay of the 1'300 kg heavy sports car.
Body of Touring
The touring body made of steel / aluminum sheet mounted on a steel frame welded to the chassis. Typical for the time were the long bonnet, the relatively short driver's cab and the large overhang at the back.
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| Maserati 3500 GTi Coupe (Touring), 1961-64 |
The result pleased and the automobile revue wrote after its short test 1958: "despite its descent from a stable of the Grand Prix and racing vehicles the elegant, four-seat Superleggera coupe is a utility vehicle for the everyday life. It turns easy, although the strong 3.5-liter six-cylinder - incidentally, the largest Italian production engine of the present - even in direct gear has an unprecedented Durchstehvermögen.
Vignale Spyder and Sebring as variants
The touring coupe was not alone. In addition to some special bodies of Frua and Bertone managed the signed by Michelotti Vignale Spyder on shortened wheelbase in series production. The skillful hip swing and slightly smoothed front made the 243-car Spyder look even prettier than the Touring Coupe.
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| 1961 Maserati 3500 GTi |
Another sprout Vignale built with the Sebring. He looked more modern, straight-lined and with its twin headlights and the generous glazing even more elegant than the "normal" 3500 GT and was produced a total of 446 times.
From the carburettor to the injection
Disc brakes were already introduced on all four wheels in 1962, but the biggest novelty came with the Lucas petrol injection, which replaced the Weber carburettor with 235 hp at 5,500 rpm. These provided a top speed of over 220 km / h (the Maserati documents confidently spoke of 235 km / h) and thus befitting driving performance. The Automobil Revue at least acknowledged the innovation with benevolent words:
"Overall, the 3500 GTI appeared to us a well-advised Gran Turismo car. The interior is sufficient for two, at shorter distances or for small people and four inmates; the seats are well shaped and automatically functional. The engine noise is felt only muffled inside the car ... The reputation of this Italian car as a reliable high-performance touring car has
solidified, and also the petrol injection engine has filed its quality proofs. With the Lucas injection, this 3.5-liter delivers 235 hp at 5500 rpm, but it remains completely elastic and behaves absolutely civilized at the lowest speeds in city traffic. "
Not cheap, but successful
41'500 francs were demanded in 1958 for the Touring GT, until 1963 the price rose to 45'300 francs, while he figured in Germany with 43'900 in the price list. This moved on par with the Aston Martin DB4, the Ferrari 250 GT or the Mercedes 300 SL.
After all, 2'225 vehicles of all construction variants were produced together, a considerable number, which was dominated by the Touring GT.
On the way like Prince Rainier III. from Monaco
The celebrities of the sixties like to use the Maserati 3500 GT, you can not blame her. The entrance is easy, the interior is brighter, as it can expect the window surfaces from the outside. There is no lack of comfort, the late versions even had electric windows. The huge handle gives the passenger confidence. The rear triangular windows can be folded out with a twist grip and bring additional air into the interior.
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| Maserati 3500 GT 1959 |
The straight-six starts willingly and is a pleasant companion with its nature, even at low speeds to deliver a lot of torque. The transmission shifts exactly. The operating forces for clutch and brakes are humane. The engine noise penetrates into the interior, but who would want to treat this music only the passers-by? A whole collection of Jaeger instruments gives the driver more than enough to know, and the 80-liter tank (75 liters in the carburetor model) also allows long stretches without refueling.
No wonder the 3500 GT has long since left its successors in the classic market. Around € 90,000 (as of 2012), the buyer of a good copy of go, the Vignale Spyder cost even more than twice. Injection vehicles are traded slightly higher than carburetor variants.
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