Maserati 3500GT Spyder by Frua
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Automobilhersteller : |
Maserati |
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Modell: |
3500GT Spyder by Frua |
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Jahr: |
1959 |
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Art: |
Roadster |
Maserati's chief engineer Giulio Alfieri developed the two 2+2 prototype 3500GT, revealed at the Salon International de l'Auto in Geneva, March 1957. Both had a 2,600 mm (102.4 in) wheelbase and aluminum bodywork; one a superleggera body by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, the other by Carrozzeria Allemano. The design incorporated.
Maserati 350S-derived straight-six cylinder, DOHC 3485 cc litre 42 DCOE Weber carburetor engine (220hp at 5500 rpm), mechanical Magneti-Marelli ignition, dual spark plugs and dual fuelpump.
4-speed ZF S4-17 gearbox (2.98:1, 1.99:1, 1.34:1, 1:1), Girling 12" turbofinned drum brakes front and rear
Borg & Beck-made single-plate dry clutch, live rear axle, differential (mechanics) by Salisbury, suspension by Alford & Alder: Front wishbone and coil-springed suspension; rear semielliptic springs.
16" steel wheels with 6.5" Pirelli Cinturato diagonal tires.
Minor design changes were undertaken before production of the 1,420 kg (3,131 lb) Touring-based body started late 1957. Front disc brakes and limited slip differential became optional in 1959, standardized in 1960; rear discs became standard in 1962. Borrani knock-out wire wheels complemented the standard steel wheels, as well as wider 185x16" radial tyres. All cars had leather interior and Jaeger-LeCoultre instruments. Power windows was added as standard.
In 1959, the Maserati 5000 GT was introduced using the chassis of the 3500GT. Two steel-bodied convertible prototypes by Carrozzeria Vignale and Michelotti were developed in 1959 and shown at the Salon de l'Auto in Paris 1959.
A convertible made by Carrozzeria Vignale went into production in 1960, as the 3500 GT Convertible or just 3500 GT Spyder, and had a shortened 2,500 mm (98.4 in) chassis weighing 1,380 kg (3,042 lb).
The 3500 GTi was introduced in 1961 as the first fuel-injected Italian production car. It had a Lucas fuel injection (235hp). A 5-speed ZF S5-17 gearbox was now standard (3.02:1, 1.85:1, 1.29:1, 1:1, 0.85:1), as well as disc brakes all round. The body had a lowered roofline and became somewhat longer; minor outward changes appeared as well (new grille, rear lights, vent windows). The rather similar Maserati Sebring (3500 GTiS) also a 2+2 coupe entered production in 1962.
The first year (1958) sold 119 cars, 1961 was the best-selling year totalling 500. Altogether, 245 Vignale convertibles and nearly 2000 coupes were manufactured, of these, 1981 being Touring coupes, the rest were bodied by other coachbuilders, Carrozzeria Allemano (four coupes, including the 1957 prototype), Zagato (one coupe, 1957), Carrozzeria Boneschi (two cars; 1962, 1963 Salone dell'automobile di Torino, 1962); Salon International de l'Auto in Geneva, 1963), Pietro Frua (two or three coupes, one spider) and Bertone (one coupe). The last was a coupe by Moretti (Salon International de l'Auto in Geneva, 1966).
5000GT Coupe 4938cc 325HP (4940cc 340HP 1960-) 59-65
Maserati 5000 GT (1959–1965) were thirty-two 2-door coupé automobiles, made by Maserati of Italy.
The first car in the Tipo 103 series, was the Shah of Persia, delivered to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who had been impressed by the Maserati 3500. He commissioned Maserati's chief engineer Giulio Alfieri to utilize a slightly modified 5-litre engine from the Maserati 450S on the 3500GT's chassis. Carrozzeria Touring developed the superleggera tubing and aluminum body of the two-seater coupe. The second car, also a Shah of Persia by Touring, was displayed at Salone dell'automobile di Torino 1959
Specifications for the first 5000 GT were: Maserati 450S-derived V8 cylinder, four-OHC, 4937.8 cc, Lucas mechanical injection or four 45 DCOE Weber carburetor (325hp at 5500 rpm), mechanical Magneti-Marelli ignition, dual spark plugs and dual fuel pump, 4-speed ZF (later 5-speed). Front discs, rear drums (later all-discs)
In 1960 the engine got some modifications: received a displacement of 4940cc with a bigger stroke and a smaller bore and were fuel injected; in the new configuration engine As such, the roster of individuals who purchased a 5000 GT new was quite extraordinary and included Giovanni Agnelli, the Aga Khan, and Briggs Cunningham, in addition to the Shah. Of course, all this extravagance came at a price—nearly twice that of the 3500 GT. The 5000 GT was bodied by eight different coachbuilders; with just 34 examples produced, this was an automobile with few peers and perhaps best directly compared with Ferrari’s incredible Superamerica models.developed 340 bhp. The fuel injected 5000 GT was shown at the 1960 Salone di Torino.
After the first two bodies by Touring, the main body partner since 1960 became Carrozzeria Allemano which did 22 of the cars, designed by Giovanni Michelotti. Other builders were Pietro Frua (3), Carrozzeria Monterosa (2), Pininfarina (1), Ghia (Sergio Sartorelli) (1), Giovanni Michelotti (1), Bertone (Giorgetto Giugiaro) (1) and Carrozzeria Touring (2 more).
