One to Buy: Acciaio Brunito 1 of 5 RHD 1961 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder
/
Unlike the more numerous Touring-styled 3500 GT Coupe, Maserati’s open top variant of the theme was based on a short wheelbase chassis with coachwork by Vignale.
In typical Vignale fashion, the 3500 GT Spyder was a more elaborate design than the comparatively restrained Coupe even though the two models shared some obvious DNA. However, despite its stunningly good looks and the prospect of open air motoring, less than 250 examples of the two-seat Spyder were constructed compared to over 1400 of the more practical 2+2 Coupes.
During the course of production, both the Fixed and Drop Head 3500s were subject to broadly the same mechanical updates, the most notable of which was a switch to fuel-injection instead of carburettors in 1961.
Currently on offer at the Classic Motor Hub showroom in Bibury, Oxfordshire, is an incredibly rare first series carb-fed 3500 GT Spyder, one of reputedly just five such cars completed in right-hand drive.
Configured in the stunningly good looking combination of Acciaio Brunito with Nero upholstery (a colour scheme it retains to this day), chassis ‘1297’ was completed on May 23rd 1961 and supplied via Arturo Tuena to an Italian-domiciled Englishman who later replaced the original steel wheels with the optional Borrani wires.
Exported to the UK a few years later, chassis ‘1297’ has more recently been restored to its original specification, since which time the car has been displayed at a number of Concours d’Elegance to include the annual Maserati Club event in 2016 where it was crowned overall winner.
