This gorgeous 1964 Maserati 3500 GT is currently up for auction out of Jabbeke, Belgium. Bidding is already at €110,000, with the reserve not yet met. This classic grand tourer represents a significant milestone in Maserati’s history, depicting a shift from track-focused machines to elegant grand tourers. This particular example boasts a colorful past. It began as a premier show car before embarking on a transatlantic journey that temporarily changed its mechanical DNA. After journeying back to Europe and undergoing a complete restoration, you can find it here on Cars & Classic.
This car’s history stands as a centerpiece of its charm. Built in October 1964, it was reportedly a show car at the Paris Motor Show for the Thepenier dealership before going to its first private owner in France. It was later sold to an owner in the United States, crossing the Atlantic to receive an American V-8 and an automatic gearbox, thereby horrifying the purists. Fortunately, its story does not end as a hybrid. In 1992, it returned to Europe and Dutch specialists reinstalled an original-type 3.5-liter inline-six engine, paired with a five-speed manual transmission. A full restoration to original specifications was also done in 2007 and the car was registered in France as a classic with a Ministry of Transport test that is valid until 2029.
On the aesthetic front, the body was designed by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan using the Superleggera construction method. This utilized a lightweight framework beneath the body paneling. This particular example wears blue paint complemented by bright chrome trim with distinctive air intakes on the hood and the front fenders. The seller describes the exterior as being in excellent condition. Its proportions are quintessentially Italian with sculpted flanks, polished window surrounds that give it a restrained elegance.
The interior also presents an excellently preserved space with well-maintained leather upholstery. It’s the kind of cabin that reminds you why these cars were so expensive when new. At the time, the 3500 GT was a worthy competitor to any offering from Ferrari or Aston Martin and even outsold them both. Maserati built 2000 examples of the 3500 GT during its run, which was an unprecedented volume for a company that had only previously focused on racing. The seller also indicates the car is in excellent working order, with its mechanics corresponding to the original architecture. That said, the odometer reading of 9,220 km should be treated with caution considering the car’s long and complicated history. With a complete restoration to original factory specifications back in place, how much would you be willing to bid for this Italian classic?
Another great discovery from Carriage House Finds!