Guide: Maserati Mexico
Background
At the Turin Motor Show in November 1965, Vignale displayed a luxurious new Maserati Gran Turismo built on a repaired 5000 GT chassis.
The bright red car (chassis 103.022) started life as one of 22 Allemano-bodied 5000 GTs. After completion in November 1961, it was shipped out to the President of Mexico, Alfonso Lopez.
At some time during the next four years, 103.022 was sold to another Mexican owner, Francisco Diez Barroso Castaneda, who purchased several cars from President Lopez.
In 1965, 103.022 was crashed on the 150D Highway between Puebla and Mexico City. It was sent back to the factory for repair, fitted with a new 4.2-litre V8 engine and transformed with Vignale’s latest body design.
After its Turin debut, the repaired and rebodied 5000 GT was displayed at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1966. Reaction from these two salon appearances was sufficiently positive that Maserati decided to offer a production version of the two-door four-seater.
Like the Tipo 103 5000 GT and Tipo 107 Quattroporte, the resultant Tipo 112 Mexico would be powered by Maserati’s dual overhead camshaft V8 engine. It was effectively a cheaper replacement for the extremely complex and wickedly expensive 5000 GT, of which just 34 were built in total.
The Mexico name was chosen in recognition of the red prototype’s first two owners. By coincidence, just one week after the production version had been displayed at the 1966 Paris Motor Show (October 6th to 16th), John Surtees won the Mexican Grand Prix driving a Maserati-powered Cooper T81.
Maserati initially offered the Mexico alongside the four door Quattroporte and the two-seat Mistral, which was still powered by the firm’s inline six cylinder engine. Soon after the Mexico was introduced, Maserati also began production of the Ghibli, which was a Ghia-styled V8-powered two-seat GT.
Chassis
The Mexico’s steel monocoque was derived from that of the Quattroporte, albeit with a wheelbase shortened by 110mm to 2640mm.
Independent front suspension was via double wishbones and coil springs. At the rear was a live Salisbury axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs. Telescopic dampers were fitted all round along with anti-roll bars at either end.
In a first for Maserati, servo-assisted ventilated disc brakes were fitted to each corner.
The Borrani-supplied 15 x 7.5-inch wire wheels usually came shod with Pirelli Cinturato tyres. Front track dimensions were identical to the Quattroporte, but the back end was 37mm narrower.
Twin fuel tanks with a combined 95-litre capacity were housed in the rear wings.
Engine / Gearbox
Whereas Maserati’s flagship four door model came with a 4.2-litre V8, displacement was increased to 4.7-litres for the sportier Mexico. Bore was taken from 88mm to 93.9mm. Stroke was left at 85mm. This yielded a capacity of 4719cc, which represented a gain of 583cc.
The all-alloy 90° V8 featured dual overhead camshafts and wet-sump lubrication. Ignition was via a Marelli coil and single spark plug for each cylinder.
An 8.5:1 compression ratio was retained as were four twin choke Weber 38 DCNL5 carburettors.
Peak output was 290bhp at 5000rpm and 282lb-ft at 4000rpm.
Transmission was via a five-speed manual gearbox, dry single-plate clutch and Salisbury differential.
Bodywork
Giovanni Michelotti was responsible for styling the Mexico’s handsome body.
Perfectly proportioned with a slim profile and exquisite detailing, the Mexico ranked among the best looking four seaters of its era.
Compared to the prototype, the production variant changed very little. The rear three quarter windows were reshaped, the stainless rear valance was dropped and overriders were added to the bumpers.
Otherwise, the Mexico made it into production unscathed.
Twin headlights per side were housed in an elegant chrome shroud and the grille was accessorised with a V-shaped upper insert.
Down each flank, discrete engine cooling vents were cut from behind each front wheel and chrome sill covers contrasted the painted surfaces.
Tail lights were imported from the Quattroporte and two lengthy exhausts snuck out from the underside.
Interior
The beautiful interior was equipped to an exceptionally high standard and offered enough space for four adults.
Well-padded seats were comfortable for even the longest of journeys. Thanks to the glassy five-window cabin, visibility was excellent.
Leather was used to upholster almost every conceivable surface. One exception was the dash surround which was typically trimmed in black vinyl to reduce glare. A teak veneer insert was applied to the full width dash fascia and most cars came with door caps and a gear knob to match.
A full complement of instrumentation was located behind the wood-rimmed steering wheel. Between the 7000rpm tach and 300kmh speedo, Maserati fitted smaller gauges for water temperature, oil pressure, oil temperature, fuel and battery amps. A clock was located in the outer dash corner.
Electric windows and air-conditioning were standard.
Options
Optional extras included a three-speed automatic gearbox, power steering and a radio with electric antenna.
Weight / Performance
Despite weighing a not inconsiderable 1830kg, the Mexico could still top 150mph and sprint from 0-62mph in around seven seconds. This made it one of the fastest ways to travel in the height of luxury.
4.2-litre Engine
Few changes were made during the Mexico’s production life, but in 1969, Maserati did begin to offer the model with their smaller 4.2-litre engine.
Available at roughly 10% less than the 4.7-litre variant, the Mexico 4.2 was identifiable by way of its Borrani cast alloy disc wheels although wire rims were still available via the options list.
Compared to the 4.7, the 4.2-litre engine had smaller 88mm cylinder bores which gave an overall displacement of 4136cc.
Otherwise, the two engines were identical aside from their output figures. The 4.2 developed 260bhp at an unchanged 5000rpm (down from 290bhp). The torque rating was 268lb-ft at 3800rpm (as opposed to 282lb-ft at 4000rpm).
End of Production
Production stopped in 1973, at which point 482 Mexicos had been completed.
This figure comprised 182 examples with the 4.7-litre engine and 300 with the 4.2.
Special Bodies
The 482 car production figure included a trio of special bodied Mexicos manufactured by Frua, each of which was quite different from the other.
The first was built on chassis 112.001 (completed in early 1967).
Aside from its slim-pillared cockpit, the rest of the design appeared totally new. Single headlights per side were given unusual chrome shrouds and a split front bumper partially obscured the primary nose intake. The boxy tail featured modern single-piece rectangular light clusters which became a Frua trademark over the next decade.
Painted burgundy with a natural leather interior and 4.2-litre engine, this car was sold via Tom Meade to its first private owner, Kenny Wagner of Texas.
Frua’s second Mexico Speciale was built on chassis 112.003.
Painted light green with a red interior, the cockpit profile and tail were broadly similar to that of 112.001, but this time Frua applied a nose that closely resembled the updated 1966 Quattroporte.
This 4.7-litre car (depicted above) was displayed at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show (March 14th to 24th) albeit in non-running condition. It then went back to Frua before returning to Maserati for final preparation. In March 1970, it was finally dispatched to the Spanish Maserati importer, Auto Paris of Barcelona, and sold to a local owner.
Frua’s last special bodied Mexico was built on chassis 112.588.
This was a 1966 commission from Italian racing driver, Franco Rol, but it was not completed until May 1969.
Rol’s car was built on a modified Mistral body with a stretched rear cockpit section and radically different nose. The twin headlights per side were mounted underneath a full width front bumper and the four-seat interior was completely new.
Franco Rol unusually requested a 4.2-litre engine with a higher than normal compression ratio, lightweight con rods and a hot camshaft.
This car was painted burgundy and given a two-tone brown and tan interior.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Maserati - https://maserati.com
