1966 Maserati Mistral 4000 Spyder

Unless and until a U.S. owner wants to ship a car to Europe to sell, don’t consider this the price you can get here

by Donald Osborne

Last of the classic 6-cylinder Maseratis, the Pietro Frua-styled Mistral commenced production in 1963. The 3.7-liter version of the Modena manufacturer’s long-stroke engine was fitted to most cars, with other power options being the 3.5-liter or—from 1966—the 4-liter unit. A handsome two-seater on a shortened, square-tube chassis, the Mistral was built in coupe and spyder versions. A 5-speed gearbox, disc brakes, and fuel injection were standard equipment; automatic transmission, air conditioning, and a limited-slip differential the options. Production ceased in 1970, by which time a total of 827 coupes and 123 Spyders had been built.

This rare Mistral 4000 Spyder was manufactured in 1966 and imported into the U.S., where it was sold to its first owner, Mr. F. J. Capretto of Seattle, in 1967. The car retains matching numbers on the engine block, cylinder head, and chassis, and its history is known in full. In the early 1970s, the Mistral was sold to the...