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!
Mr Bond, your car is ready. Absolutely gorgeous but only a dream for me. Are there two sparkplugs per cylinder?
Yes, there are two plugs per cylinder
Not original engine, asking too much. Rich entitled investors want originality
This is a really good-looking car. I wish I had the money to buy it. That’s not an inline twelve under the hood, is it?
No, this is a Maserati inline six. It does have two plugs per cylinder which may have confused you
I think you will find that Maserati used detuned racing engines in their early cars hence the twin spark plugs. The 5 litre V8 had twin plugs and it was a derivation of the 450S racing car engine. Google 300s & 450s which was the same car with different engines and see how beautiful they are. Possibly the best I have seen in red.
There can’t be many cars with doors fitted with front & rear quarter-vents (thus the matching knurled knobs).
Butchered by every Dutch,Belgian, French and American.These cars are not the most reliable from the start.Touring had a problem with rust,the Dutch are infamous for patching it up….leave it alone.
My uncle had one of these when I was growing up. I remember riding in it when he brought it over to show to my Dad after he bought it. Pretty cool sounding car!
Some philistine put a V8/automatic in it? No wonder Americans are hated
A screaming bargain to play with the big boys.
With Italian cars, there are so many that have been re-worked, re-engined (sometimes with small block Chevies), re-painted, then re-painted, then re-painted again. It’s not the same thing as “numbers matching muscle cars”, but truly original examples to get a a premium.
How presentable and authentic to original is it now is what matters with cars like this.
Almost as pretty as the quite similar Flaminia GT, and with a lot more power. But the Lancia taillights blew this away on looks.
Or the Alfa 2600 spyder another 6 cylinder slug with looks.
You clearly have no clue. These are fast cars with well north of 200bhp in an aluminium body. It is in the same league as Ferrari’s 250GTE of the time, and I find them driving nicer, more light footed.
I definitely would not parallel this car to the ferrari 250 GTE.Next they will be putting a V8 into that…..
What kind of person would ship a car like this to the US, rip out the Maserati five speed and install an American V8 with an automatic??
“I got a Maserati GT, with snakeskin upholstery. I got a charge account at Goldblatt’s. But I ain’t got you!”
Car did not meet reserve the first time at auction
ASKING PRICE now €149,000