VIN: the Shah of Iran's Maserati 5000 GT chassis 002
History of chassis 002
Chassis 002 was the first of 34 Maserati 5000 GTs manufactured between 1959 and 1964.
Each car was built to special order at an astronomical price (twice that of a standard 3500 GT). Power came from the V8 engine developed for the 450 S sports racing car. Maserati had a surplus of these engines after they were forced to pull out of motor racing at the end of 1957. Since then, the impressive straight six-powered 3500 GT had been launched to critical acclaim.
On a visit to the Maserati factory in late 1958, the Shah of Iran had expressed an interest in purchasing a 3500 fitted with one of the venerable V8 racing engines.
Maserati obliged and, on October 15th 1959, the Shah’s new dark blue 5000 GT was ready. In early November, it was displayed at the Turin Motor Show.
The first two cars (002 and 004) came with different engines to subsequent examples. Displacement was 4935cc, four enormous Weber 45 IDM carburettors were fitted and they retained the racing engine’s complex gear-driven overhead camshaft system. Peak output was 340bhp at 5500rpm.
For comparison, later 5000 GTs displaced 4941cc, used Lucas fuel-injection and quieter, simpler, chain driven overhead camshafts. These cars produced 325bhp at 5800rpm.
The Shah’s 5000 GT was one of three that received coachwork by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan. The others (004 and 010) went to South African construction magnate, Basil Read, and Fonderia di Modenai (a steel foundry run by Adolfo Orsi’s brother, Marcello).
The Shah kept 002 at his residence in Switzerland. It was registered on Zurich plates ZH 174258.
Unlike the majority of the Shah’s car collection, which was kept in Tehran and seized during the Islamic revolution that took place over the winter of 1978-1979, 002 escaped into private ownership.
It was later offered by Sotheby’s at their 2005 sale in Maranello.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Maserati - https://maserati.com
