1958 Maserati 3500 GT

Maserati’s survival strategy for the 1960s centered on establishing the company as a producer of road cars. The Modena marque’s new era began in 1957 with the launch of the Touring-bodied 3500 GT. A luxurious and spacious 2+2, the 3500 GT drew on Maserati’s competition experience. Suspension was independent at the front by wishbones and coil springs, while at the back there was a conventional live-axle/semi-elliptic arrangement. Power output of the twin-cam six was around 220 hp at first. Later examples with fuel injection produced 235 hp. Built initially with drum brakes and a four-speed gearbox, the 3500 was gradually improved, gaining five speeds, front discs and finally all-disc braking. Production ceased in 1964 after more than 2,200 were built.

Imported from Belgium in 1975, this left-hand drive 3500 GT spent the next nineteen years in a semi-dismantled state before being sold in 1994 for comprehensive restoration. This...