MOTOR CARS | 263Despite numerous racetrack successes that included Juan Manuel
Fangio’s fifth World Championship - at the wheel of a 250F - and
runner-up spot in the World Sports Car Championship with the
fabulous 450S - both in 1957, the marque’s most successful
season - Maserati was by that time facing a bleak future. Its parent
company’s financial difficulties forced a withdrawal from racing and
Maserati’s survival strategy for the 1960s centred on establishing the
company as a producer of road cars. The Modena marque’s new
era began in 1957 with the launch of the Touring-bodied 3500GT, its
first road car built in significant numbers. A luxury ‘2+2’, the 3500GT
drew heavily on Maserati’s competition experience, employing
a tubular chassis frame and an engine derived from the 350S
competition sports car unit of 1956.
Chassis number ‘754’ is one of only 40 right-hand drive cars built,
of which it is estimated that fewer than half survive worldwide. A
matching numbers example, it boasts arguably the most desirable
specification, combining the ‘Series 1’ cars’ purity of line with the
desirable upgrades of a five-speed gearbox and front disc brakes.
The car’s early history is uncertain, though it is known to have been
owned in the USA by one Hunt Ethridge.
The Maserati’s current UK registration dates from 18th May 1993,
although the earliest invoice on file is dated August 1992. That
invoice is from Corley Motors of Warwickshire, who appear to have
done some restoration work on the car before its registration.
Anthony Bonser owned the Maserati from May 1993 to November
1995 when it was purchased by the current vendor. The recorded
mileage total at that time was 65,000 miles; it is currently 96,625.The vendor has used the car as its makers’ intended: as a Grand
Tourer. It has been to Scotland and France many times and to
Ireland, Wales and Cornwall. It was a regular at Maserati Club rallies
for many years and is well known within the Club for its proven
reliability. In 2010/2011 the Maserati was used regularly in the French
Alps before undertaking a ‘Grand Tour’ home via Italy, Switzerland,
Austria, Germany and Belgium.‘367 GNV’ has been regularly and comprehensively maintained,
initially by the classic car specialist, journalist and racing driver
Roberto Giordanelli and since 2002 by Bill McGrath Maserati (details
on file). Recent works have included a new stainless steel exhaust
(September 2011), new ignition coils (November 2011), dynamo
overhaul (July 2013) and a new clutch slave cylinder (March 2014).
Recently MoT’d and currently taxed, this obviously much enjoyed
Maserati 3500GT is offered with aforementioned history and V5
registration document.
£60,000 - 80,000
€75,000 - 100,000