Maserati 3500
Encyclopedia
Maserati 3500 was a 2-door coupé
and convertible
made by Maserati
of Italy
. It was the company's first attempt at the Gran Turismo
market and large-volume production.
developed the two 2+2 prototype 3500GT, revealed at the Salon International de l'Auto
in Geneva
, March 1957.
Both had a 2600 mm (102.4 in) wheelbase and aluminum bodywork; one a superleggera
body by Carrozzeria Touring
of Milan
, the other by Carrozzeria Allemano
.
The design incorporated
Minor design changes were done before production of the 1420 kg (3,131 lb) Touring-based body
started late 1957.
Front disc brakes and limited slip differential became optional in 1959,
standardized in 1960; rear discs became standard in 1962.
Borrani
knock-out wire wheels complemented the standard steel wheels,
as well as wider 185x16" radial tyres. All cars had leather interior and
Jaeger-LeCoultre
instruments.
Power windows was added as standard.
In 1959, the Maserati 5000 GT
was introduced using the chassis of the 3500GT.
Two steel-bodied convertible prototypes by Carrozzeria Vignale
and Michelotti were developed in 1959 and shown at the Salon de l'Auto
in Paris
1959.
A spider
made by Carrozzeria Vignale went into production in 1960, as the 3500 GTs or just «Vignale spider», and had a shortened 2499 mm (98.4 in) chassis weighing 1380 kg (3,042 lb).
The 3500 GTi was introduced in 1961 as the first fuel-injected Italian production car. It had a Lucas fuel injection
(235 bhp). A 5-speed ZF S5-17 gearbox was now standard (3.02:1, 1.85:1, 1.29:1, 1:1, 0.85:1), as well as disc brakes all round.
The body had a lowered roofline and become
somewhat longer; minor outward changes appeared as well (new grille, rear lights, vent windows).
The rather similar Maserati Sebring
(3500 GTiS) also a 2+2 coupe
entered production in 1962.
The first year (1958) sold 119 cars, 1961 was the best-selling year
totalling 500. All together,
242 Vignale convertibles and nearly 2000 coupes were manufactured, of these, 1973 being Touring coupe, the rest were bodied by other coachbuilders, Carrozzeria Allemano
(four coupes, including the 1957 prototype), Zagato
(one coupe, 1957), Carrozzeria Boneschi
(two cars; 1962, 1963 Salone dell'automobile di Torino, 1962); Salon International de l'Auto
in Geneva
, 1963), Pietro Frua
(two or three coupes, one spider) and Bertone (one coupe). The last was a coupe by Moretti
(Salon International de l'Auto
in Geneva
, 1966).
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
and convertible
Convertible
A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away having windows which wind-down inside the doors, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle...
made by Maserati
Maserati
Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna. The company's headquarters is now in Modena, and its emblem is a trident. It has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993...
of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. It was the company's first attempt at the Gran Turismo
Grand tourer
A grand tourer is a high-performance luxury automobile designed for long-distance driving. The most common format is a two-door coupé with either a two-seat or a 2+2 arrangement....
market and large-volume production.
History
Maserati's chief engineer Giulio AlfieriGiulio Alfieri
Giulio Alfieri was an Italian automobile engineer, affiliated with Maserati in Modena, Italy since 1953, where he was central to the development of racing and production cars in the 1950s and 1960s.Alfieri was born in Parma...
developed the two 2+2 prototype 3500GT, revealed at the Salon International de l'Auto
Salon International de l'Auto
The International Geneva Motor Show is an annual auto show held in March in the Swiss city of Geneva. The show is hosted at the Geneva Palexpo, a convention centre located next to the Geneva Cointrin International Airport...
in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, March 1957.
Both had a 2600 mm (102.4 in) wheelbase and aluminum bodywork; one a superleggera
Superleggera
Superleggera is an automobile chassis construction technology developed by Felice Bianchi Anderloni of Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring. The company was located just north of Milan, near Alfa Romeo, Italian Citroen, and the former Isotta-Fraschini plant...
body by Carrozzeria Touring
Carrozzeria Touring
Carrozzeria Touring is an automobile coachbuilder established on March 25, 1926 in Milan, Italy by Felice Bianchi Anderloni and Gaetano Ponzoni...
of Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, the other by Carrozzeria Allemano
Carrozzeria Allemano
Carrozzeria Allemano was an automobile coachbuilder in Turin, Italy, owned by Serafino Allemano. Allemano made various cars based on their own designs, and in some cases, externally made designs, such as those by Michelotti...
.
The design incorporated
- Maserati 350SMaserati 350SMaserati 350S were three racing cars made by Maserati of Italy, built by Giulio Alfieri, aluminum body design by Medardo Fantuzzi, both Maserati engineers....
-derived straight-six cylinder, DOHC 3485 cc litre 42 DCOE Weber carburetorWeber carburetorWeber is an Italian company producing carburetors, currently owned by Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A., in turn part of the Fiat Group.The company was established as...
engine (220 bhp at 5500 rpm), - mechanical Magneti-MarelliMagneti-MarelliMagneti Marelli S.p.A. is an Italian company which deals with development and manufacturing of systems, modules and high-technology components for the automotive industry...
ignition, dual spark plugs and dual fuelpump - 4-speed ZF S4-17 gearbox (2.98:1, 1.99:1, 1.34:1, 1:1),
- Girling 12" turbofinned drum brakeDrum brakeA drum brake is a brake in which the friction is caused by a set of shoes or pads that press against a rotating drum-shaped part called a brake drum....
s front and rear - Borg & Beck-made single-plate dry clutchClutchA clutch is a mechanical device which provides for the transmission of power from one component to another...
, - live rear axle, differential (mechanics)Differential (mechanics)A differential is a device, usually, but not necessarily, employing gears, capable of transmitting torque and rotation through three shafts, almost always used in one of two ways: in one way, it receives one input and provides two outputs—this is found in most automobiles—and in the other way, it...
by SalisburySalisburySalisbury is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England and the only city in the county. It is the second largest settlement in the county...
, - suspension by Alford & AlderAlford & AlderAlford and Alder Ltd. was a British automotive engineering company, specializing in suspension, brake and steering gear components...
: Front wishbone and coil-springed suspension; rear semielliptic springs. - 16" steel wheels with 6.5" PirelliPirelliPirelli & C. SpA is a diverse multinational company based in Milan, Italy. The company, the world’s fifth largest tyre manufacturer, is present in over 160 countries, has 20 manufacturing sites around the world and a network of around 10,000 distributors and retailers.Founded in Milan in 1872,...
Cinturato diagonal tireTireA tire or tyre is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel rim to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground...
s.
Minor design changes were done before production of the 1420 kg (3,131 lb) Touring-based body
started late 1957.
Front disc brakes and limited slip differential became optional in 1959,
standardized in 1960; rear discs became standard in 1962.
Borrani
Borrani
Ruote Borrani S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of wheels, famous for supplying single-nut lockable wire wheels to many Italian racing cars and luxury cars up until the 1960s....
knock-out wire wheels complemented the standard steel wheels,
as well as wider 185x16" radial tyres. All cars had leather interior and
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Jaeger-LeCoultre is a high-end luxury watch and clock manufacturer based in Le Sentier, Vaud, Switzerland. In addition, Jaeger-LeCoultre also has a long tradition of supplying movements and parts to other prestigious watch companies in Switzerland. Since 1996, Jaeger-LeCoultre has been a fully...
instruments.
Power windows was added as standard.
In 1959, the Maserati 5000 GT
Maserati 5000 GT
Maserati 5000 GT were thirty-four 2-door coupé automobiles, made by Maserati of Italy.The first car in the Tipo 103 series, was the Shah of Persia, delivered to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who had been impressed by the Maserati 3500...
was introduced using the chassis of the 3500GT.
Two steel-bodied convertible prototypes by Carrozzeria Vignale
Vignale
Vignale was an Italian automobile coachbuilder company. Carrozzeria Alfredo Vignale was established in 1948 at Via Cigliano, Turin by Alfredo Vignale in Grugliasco, near Turin ....
and Michelotti were developed in 1959 and shown at the Salon de l'Auto
Mondial de l'Automobile
The Paris Motor Show is a biennial auto show in Paris. Held around October, it is one of the most important auto shows, often with many new production automobile and concept car debuts. The show was the first motor show in the world, started in 1898 by industry pioneer, Albert de Dion. The show...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
1959.
Roadster
A roadster is a two-seat open car with emphasis on sporty handling and without a fixed roof or side weather protection. Strictly speaking a roadster with wind-up windows is a convertible but as true roadsters are no longer made the distinction is now irrelevant...
made by Carrozzeria Vignale went into production in 1960, as the 3500 GTs or just «Vignale spider», and had a shortened 2499 mm (98.4 in) chassis weighing 1380 kg (3,042 lb).
The 3500 GTi was introduced in 1961 as the first fuel-injected Italian production car. It had a Lucas fuel injection
Fuel injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
(235 bhp). A 5-speed ZF S5-17 gearbox was now standard (3.02:1, 1.85:1, 1.29:1, 1:1, 0.85:1), as well as disc brakes all round.
The body had a lowered roofline and become
somewhat longer; minor outward changes appeared as well (new grille, rear lights, vent windows).
The rather similar Maserati Sebring
Maserati Sebring
Maserati Sebring was a 2-door coupé and convertible made by Maserati 1962–69. Based on the Maserati 3500, the Sebring was aimed at the American Gran Turismo market and nicknamed after Maserati's 1957 racing victory at the 12 Hour race.-Series I:...
(3500 GTiS) also a 2+2 coupe
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
entered production in 1962.
The first year (1958) sold 119 cars, 1961 was the best-selling year
totalling 500. All together,
242 Vignale convertibles and nearly 2000 coupes were manufactured, of these, 1973 being Touring coupe, the rest were bodied by other coachbuilders, Carrozzeria Allemano
Carrozzeria Allemano
Carrozzeria Allemano was an automobile coachbuilder in Turin, Italy, owned by Serafino Allemano. Allemano made various cars based on their own designs, and in some cases, externally made designs, such as those by Michelotti...
(four coupes, including the 1957 prototype), Zagato
Zagato
Zagato is a design consultancy and engineering services company situated just outside Milan, Italy.The company's premises occupy an area of , of which are covered....
(one coupe, 1957), Carrozzeria Boneschi
Carrozzeria Boneschi
Carrozzeria Boneschi S.r.L. is an Italian coachbuilder, mainly of commercial vehicles. Until 1960, the company was mostly involved with automobile manufacturers such as Talbot, Rolls Royce, Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Fiat. It was established in Milano by Giovanni Boneschi, moving to Cambiago in...
(two cars; 1962, 1963 Salone dell'automobile di Torino, 1962); Salon International de l'Auto
Salon International de l'Auto
The International Geneva Motor Show is an annual auto show held in March in the Swiss city of Geneva. The show is hosted at the Geneva Palexpo, a convention centre located next to the Geneva Cointrin International Airport...
in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, 1963), Pietro Frua
Pietro Frua
Pietro Frua was one of the leading Italian coachbuilders and car designers during the 1950s and 1960s.-Early years:...
(two or three coupes, one spider) and Bertone (one coupe). The last was a coupe by Moretti
Moretti
Moretti may refer to:20th most common surname in Italy.-People:*Bob Moretti , Californian politician*Bruno Moretti, Italian composer and frequent collaborator with choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti....
(Salon International de l'Auto
Salon International de l'Auto
The International Geneva Motor Show is an annual auto show held in March in the Swiss city of Geneva. The show is hosted at the Geneva Palexpo, a convention centre located next to the Geneva Cointrin International Airport...
in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, 1966).