1960 Maserati 3500 GT

This 1960 Maserati 3500 GT is one of approximately 250 Vignale-bodied convertibles built during five years of production and is said to have been completed in the fall of 1960 for delivery to Rome, Italy. Chassis 1007 reportedly underwent a refurbishment in California in the mid-2000s prior to spending time in the Gene Ponder collection, from which it was purchased by the selling dealer in 2022. Finished in red over black leather, the car is powered by a 3.5-liter DOHC inline-six that breathes through triple Weber carburetors and is paired with a ZF five-speed manual transmission. Additional features include a limited-slip differential, servo-assisted brakes with front discs, Borrani wire wheels, and a black convertible top. This Tipo 101/C is now offered with factory literature, two tool rolls, a jack, and a clean Texas title. Following a series of prototypes, Giovanni Michelotti’s open-top interpretation of the 3500 GT was introduced in 1959 and earned Carrozzeria Vignale the contract to build a production convertible variant. The Spyder rode on a wheelbase 10 centimeters shorter than that of the contemporary coupe, and its construction incorporated steel bodywork with an aluminum hood, trunk lid, and doors in lieu of the fixed-roof variant’s Superleggera coachwork. This example is said to have originally worn Grigio Florida paint and received a color change to its current shade of red in the mid-2000s. Exterior details include inward-angled fender vents, stepped taillights, round front signal repeaters, a driver-side mirror, and a black convertible top that can be stowed under a matching boot. Borrani wire wheels are secured by three-eared knock-offs and are wrapped in 205/70VR15 Pirelli Cinturato tires, while a trunk-mounted spare wears 185/65 Goodyear rubber. Front disc brakes became standard for the 3500 GT models in 1960, while finned aluminum drums handle braking at the rear. The cabin was re-trimmed during the 2000s refurbishment and features black leather over 2+2 seating with matching upholstery over the door panels, center tunnel, and dash. Additional features include color-keyed carpeting, lap belts for the front occupants, power windows, and a lockable glovebox. The split-rimmed steering wheel frames Jaeger instrumentation including a 160-mph speedometer, an 8k-rpm tachometer, and gauges monitoring coolant temperature, fuel level, and oil pressure. The five-digit odometer shows 78k miles, approximately 100 of which have been added under current ownership. The 3,485cc Tipo 101 inline-six features an aluminum block and cylinder head, with the latter featuring hemispherical combustion chambers and dual overhead camshafts. Induction is through triple Weber 42 DCOE carburetors, while ignition is handled by two spark plugs per cylinder. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a ZF five-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential, the latter of which became standard for the 3500 GT models in 1960. Suspension incorporates double wishbones and coil springs up front and a leaf-sprung solid axle at the rear, with tubular shock absorbers and anti-roll bars featured at both ends.