1964-1970 Maserati Mistral

If you decide to restore a Mistral, forget the scuba gear and go find Alvin, the Titanic submersible. You will be that far under water

by Rob Sass

The cold wind that gave its name to Maserati’s 1964 Mistral spells the end of summer in the south of France. The model heralded an even colder and more inhospitable wind in the form of crippling taxes, fuel shortages, idiotic U.S. regulations, and the ignominy of ownership by Citroën that nearly spelled the end of Maserati itself. But in an almost Machiavellian revenge, the Maserati V6 (which should have been a V8 anyway) in the SM coupe contributed to Citroën’s collapse and purchase by Peugeot when its cam-chain tensioners turned out to be as short-lived as an Italian government. Before this operatic final act, there was a prolific period of creativity by the storied Modenese company that saw the creation of the Mexico, Ghibli, Sebring, Indy, and Mistral. Excellent cars, they have been largely overlooked by collectors—with the exception of the Ghibli (which cynics view as a Ferrari for which you can’t get spare parts). Frua’s Mistral is smaller and more...