1960 Maserati 3500GT Coupe by Touring

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This is one of our favourite cars of all time and this is the first and probably obly time we have got our hands on one. It is a UK Supplied Right Hand Drive 1960 Maserati 3500GT Coupe by Touring.

Despite 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. Suspension was independent at the front by wishbones and coil springs while at the back there was a conventional live axle/semi-elliptic arrangement. The 3500GT's designer was none other than Giulio Alfieri. creator of the immortal Tipo 60/61 'Birdcage' sports-racer and the man responsible for developing the 250F into a World Championship winner. The twin-overhead-camshaft. six-cylinder engine was a close relative of that used in the 250F and developed around 220bhp initially on carburettors. later examples producing 235bhp on Lucas mechanical fuel injection. Built initially with drum brakes and four-speed transmission. the 3500GT was progressively updated. gaining five speeds. front disc brakes and. finally. all-disc braking before production ceased in 1964.

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 even though it was originally UK supplied and must have been quite a sight in its original Bianco Polo (White) livery with matching White leather upholstery!

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 previous owner. The recorded mileage total at that time was 65. 00 miles; it is currently 96. 25 which is believed correct.

The previous owner 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. this must be one of the most regularly used 3500's out there.

'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. The car drives perfectly but the paintwork is a little scruffy in places and would benefit from improvement. With currect prices for Left hand Restored cars far exceeding £225. 00. this is your last opportunity to purchase a RHD car before the prices go stratospheric. which is exactly where they belong.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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