The 3500 GT Saved Maserati From Going Kaput

The 3500 GT was Maserati's first attempt and producing a mass-produced Grand Tourer which could rake in some revenue to help their ailing balance sheet. Instead of making a brand new power unit, Giulio Alfieri modified the 350S engine to make it more suitable for the touring car and several engine accessories including the oil system were changed. 

Italians were pretty uptight when it came to importing parts and Maserati wasn't really in a position to design and fabricate components. So they decided to borrow brakes from Girling, fuel injection from Lucas, Weber Carbs, and Salisbury axles.

Superlight Chassis Penned By Carrozzeria Touring

The first prototype of the 3500 GT was a 2+2 coupe version that had the engine on the front sending power to the rear wheels. The Superleggera construction came in all-white on the outside and a contrasting darker theme on the inside. It was not until 1959 that the convertible option was provided. 

It featured Aluminum panels installed over a tubular chassis that kept the weight low and stiffness high thanks to Carrozzeria Touring's patented “Superleggera” construction . Later coach builders like Carrozzeria Allemano, Carrozzeria Boneschi, Pietro, Moretti, and Bertone also made some one-offs and prototypes.

The 3500 GT looks like a head-turner even after half a century later with is classic chrome-laden styling and symmetrical proportions. The trademark checkered Maserati grille and the Trident serve as its standout features.

The Maserati had double wishbones coil springs in the front suspension and semi-elliptic leaf springs in the rear. Initially, the GT had hydraulic drum brakes but later the discs were incorporated. 16-inch steel wheels primarily had Pirelli Stella Bianca tires which were later replaced with Cinturato ones with wire wheels available as optional extras. 

The inline-6 engine was standard for all the grand tourers with a choice of 4-speed and 5-speed manual and an optional automatic. 

Maserati 3500 GT/GTi Spyder

Designed by renowned Alfredo Vignale of Turin the Spyder version was penned by Giovanni Michelotti and came with electric windows and a 10cm shorter wheelbase as standard. The body was made of steel with ALuminum panels and the overall design was said to be a bit more edgy and angular compared to the curvaceous coupe.

La Dolce Tipo Inline 6

The heart of the 3500 GT was a Tipo AM101 double-cam, 12V, 3.5L engine that was able to generate around 220 hp @5500 rpm with a top speed of just over 133mph, not bad for a car that weighs 1300 kg or 2866 pounds. The engine was chosen because of its race-proven durability and was borrowed for 350s which raced Mille Miglia.

 Later the 3500 GTi was launched with a Tipo AM101/Iniezione engine that featured Lucas mechanical fuel injection replacing Weber carbs in exchange for 235hp @ 5,800rpm and a slightly elevated top speed of 220 kmph or 136 mph. Only 937 3500 GT coupes/204 Spyders and 441 3500 GTi coupes/56 Spyders were made as per Maserati. The 3500 GT Spyder weighed 1440 kg or 3174 pounds whilst the Gti Spyder came in at 2866 pounds.

Art Deco Interior

The interior is refreshingly minimalistic with high-quality leather and wood spread all over. The oval-shaped theme is carried inside with unsurprising Italian flair that still looks out of the world today. From the factory, it was pretty loaded with options like electric windows and FM radio with the only choice being among the leather color available to the buyers.

The original list price for the 3500 GT was around $15,000 with some variations depending on the year and the model. In the current market, finding a 1957 Maserati 3500 GT or Spyder is not too difficult. However, if you are looking for a good-conditioned vehicle you might have to pay around $175,000 but it can go as high as $488,000.

Image Source- Maserati Media