There has long been a debate about whether we can consider a car a work of art, and classics like this 1967 Maserati Mistral Coupe blur that line. Its low and sweeping lines help it look like it is doing 100mph standing still, and its rarity only heightens its desirability. This car has a known ownership history, and after nine years in the hands of a dedicated enthusiast, it is set to go onto the auction blocks. The Maserati is listed here at Gooding & Company in London, England. It will go under the hammer on 3rd September with an auction estimate of £70,000 – £100,000 (US$81,000 – US$115,500), but No Reserve. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Araknid78 for spotting this beautiful classic.
The Mistral design came from the pen of Italian stylist Pietro Frua. Among his other achievements, Frua penned the stunning Renault Floride and oversaw the design of Volvo’s iconic P1800. Its lines are sweeping and elegant, and it is easy to see why the vehicle turned heads when unveiled at the Turin Motor Show in 1963. Its other claim to fame is that it was the first Maserati model the company named after a wind. Our feature Mistral has a known ownership history, having spent most of its life in its home country. It found its way to its current Swiss owner in 2013, but it is unclear when it landed in England. The original owner ordered it in the shade called Celeste Chiaro, which is Light Blue. It retains that color and presents beautifully. The paint shines richly, but the seller indicates the car would benefit from a sympathetic restoration. The paint cloaks panels that are laser straight, with gaps that are as tight and consistent as you would rightly expect from a vehicle of this caliber. The glass is flawless, and the chrome is equally impressive. If I have a favorite exterior feature, that honor falls to the stunning Borrani wire wheels. They help create an aggressive appearance while also looking light and graceful.
I would love nothing more than to tell you this Mistral is numbers-matching, but it underwent an engine change at some point. It rolled out of the factory equipped with a 4,014cc all-aluminum DOHC six-cylinder engine producing 255hp. The power fed from there to the rear wheels via a five-speed ZF manual transmission, allowing the car to cover the ¼ mile in 14.7 seconds before winding its way to 158mph. The engine bay on this car now houses the Mistral’s smaller 3,694cc powerplant, producing 245hp. The power drop means that the vehicle would take 14.9 seconds to cover the same distance, while the top speed falls to 152mph. For general driving duties, the new owner would barely notice the difference. The seller supplies no information on how the Maserati runs or drives, but its ownership history suggests it has been appropriately maintained. The engine bay presentation does not match the exterior and is one area the new owner might focus on in a bid to achieve perfection.
There’s a lot to like when we turn our attention to this Mistral’s interior. The seats and other upholstered surfaces wear hand-stitched Blue leather, although the dash top features Black leather. The seats and most upholstered surfaces reflect a life of respect, with no significant wear or marks. The stitching along the leading edge of the dash top exhibits wear, and it would be worth addressing this before it splits. The wood-rimmed wheel shows some minor marks, and a couple of painted surfaces are chipped. However, we’re talking about a fifty-five-year-old car that has been driven and enjoyed, so the flaws are acceptable. The original owner liked their comfort touches, ordering the Mistral with air conditioning, power windows, and a luggage compartment tonneau cover.
Italian specialty manufacturers have a reputation for producing classic cars in limited numbers, and the Maserati Mistral is no exception. Only 828 Mistral Coupes and 125 Spyders rolled out the factory doors during an eight-year production run. Recent sales results suggest that it should easily eclipse the upper auction estimate. However, the loss of the original engine means it shouldn’t threaten the record price of $990,528 set in 2016. It remains out of my price range, but that hasn’t stopped me from registering for the auction to watch proceedings. Are you tempted to do the same?
“Lucas Mechanical Fuel Injection”
What could possibly go wrong with that? 🤣🤣🤣
I had the opportunity to drive its twin for an afternoon many decades ago. Heavy clutch, arms straight out proper Italian driving position. What a car.
Not subtle, but such style.
If it were only possible to bid enough…..
Lovely Frua design. He also styled the AC 428, made between 1966 and 1973.
any estimates on replacing the rear window- if by chance a rock hit it? lovely car, maybe you’ll let me drive it after youbuy it
I had a Maserati Sebring and when I purchased it, I had a choice between one of these and a Mistrial. The performance was slightly better on the Mistrial but in any event the top speed was not that important to me or most owners as it as far higher then they would be safe driving with. Part of the reason most Italian speedometers are so optimistic, (Keeping foolish owners alive).
I thought that the Mistrial coupe looked heavy as compared to the Sebring and not as elegant. Now the Convertible Mistrial is breathtaking. The coupe not so much in my eyes. They had almost the exact mechanicals under the skin so the choice was more about style than performance.
To be noted the water pumps are a total pain in the ass. They can be rebuilt for a price and the head gaskets are a separate gasket for each cylinder and the head and block. BE DAMN CAREFUL putting the head back on and torque it exactly by the book. I would also suggest you have a couple of spares so when you mess it up the first time you do not have to wait that long to get another.
THIS Is a RACE engine detuned from the formula one cars of the 1950’s and the design shows it. There is ONLY ONE RIGHT WAY and if you do not follow that you will get the chance to do it again. As least if you do not break something hugely expensive. Beyond that my experience was it was one of the most pleasant cars to drive I ever owned. Not too big, but with room for 4 in a pinch and handled well for the tires and weight of the car.
I love it and if you purchase it drive it on a long trip and learn what classic motoring can be at it’s best.
I like blue, but to me this would look so much better with a darker blue. Sweet ride!!
The Jensen Interceptor had the smoother lines.
100k is a fair price for this one. In Switzerland they have a special
number plate law for classic cars older then 30 years. You pay
very less road tax but overall road driving is limited to 6000 KM
in 6 years total. So this one should be mechanical in line with a
one year old car. This affects to traffic security.
No further fiddling with unknown mechanical condition.
I always thought the coupe versions of these were a little awkward looking, like the Jensen Interceptor coupe. I think the convertible versions of both cars were much more beautiful.
As Cornelius Vanderbuilt is rumored to have said about his yacht, if you have to ask how much it costs to maintain it, you cannot afford it. My favorite “exotic used car dealer” says much the same to me when I stop by to see his latest crop – many are on consignment – enabling them to be “one owner” since he never takes title.
“…are you tempted to do so…”
no. I only go when knowing something specific is there for my purchase. I hate auctions. But…
the insurance one means I can get something affordable for rehab’n DD or sale. Old days (this era) I simply picked them up at the junk yard. “Goldies” simply let ’50s/60s whole cars go (alphas, lancias, fiats, etc). One guy did the tops, nother the bodies in needed cases, I contracted it out. Wish I had that possibility now~
I watched the auction and this car was basically “given away”, considering it’s true value. Their #1 auctioneer, Charlie was “begging” for bids & a guy in the back bid 10k, it was no reserve so it was going to sell. Finally a 2nd guy bid 20k, then a 3rd guy bid 30k & that was IT. :-O
I think the problem was, Charlie & David kept saying “it was ready for restoration”. But it looked great.
With fees, the car sold for about $48,000 USD. Sad.
sold £36,000