MOTOR CARS | 157Introduced in 1959, Vignale’s Maserati 3500GT Spyder was the
creation of Giovanni Michelotti, at that time the company’s star
designer. Built on a slightly shorter wheelbase - 250cm as opposed to
260cm - than the coupé and constructed of steel panels rather than
the closed car’s aluminium, the spyder lasted in production until 1964,
by which time only 245 cars had been made.
Built on the short-wheelbase chassis of the spyder and likewise
styled by Vignale, the Sebring 2+2 coupé arrived in 1962. By now a
five-speed gearbox, four-wheel disc brakes and fuel injection were
standard equipment, with automatic transmission, air conditioning
and a limited-slip differential available as options. Introduced in 1965,
the Sebring Series II came with a 3.7-litre, 245bhp engine while some
cars left the factory with 4.0-litre units towards the end of production
in 1966, by which time 591 Sebrings had been built, around 400 of
which were in the first series.
The 1963 Earls Court Motor Show display car, ‘41 GUC’ was
tested soon after by Autocar magazine (27th September edition,
original copy on file) and it is interesting to note that with a price tag
of £5,116 (tax paid in the UK) the Maserati was some 22% more
expensive than the Aston Martin DB5 launched later that same year.
This car has, in the last two years, undergone extensive mechanical
restoration and overhaul with marque specialist McGrath Maserati at
a cost in excess of £53,000. All receipts and a photographic record
of the work undertaken are on file. The car has had a full engine
rebuild; fuel injection overhaul and tuning; the addition of electronic
ignition; a full gearbox overhaul; new clutch; brake overhaul; and a
new windscreen. In addition, the entire chassis was checked and
any corrosion cut out and made good; a new bulkhead fitted; and
the electrics totally rewired, to name just some of the major aspects
of the restoration. Only 2,000 miles have been covered since the
work was completed and the car is described as in generally ‘A1’
condition, structurally, cosmetically and mechanically.A beautiful and original example of the extremely rare, right-hand
drive, ‘Series I’ Sebring (only three of which are known to Maserati
UK), ‘1817’ retains the correct fuel injection, dashboard and Avorio
carpets. The car has just returned from display by Maserati UK
at their ‘100 years of Maserati’ exhibition at the Society of Motor
Manufacturers and Traders’ London headquarters. Offered with
full documentation, current MoT certificate and V5 registration
document, the car is being sold by its owner to help finance the
ongoing restoration of other Maseratis in his collection.
£120,000 - 150,000
€150,000 - 190,000