Maserati, 1958, 3500 GT

Maserati "3500 GT coupé", Touring, 1958

The first series Maserati Gran Turismo, the A6 1500, was presented in 1947, after that the company,  purchased in 1937 by Cav. Adolfo Orsi, had already moved to Modena. In the mid-1950s, Omer Orsi realized that the market was ready to welcome a luxury grand tourer in line with the economic boom. It was in this context that at the 1957 Geneva Motor Show, Maserati presented the 3500 GT, an elegant and powerful coupé designed by Carrozzeria Touring, which would be built until 1964: the first road car to be mass-produced. Updated over the years of production with disc brakes on the front wheels, a 5-speed gearbox and indirect injection, the 3500 GT was a great commercial success, produced in an unusual number for the time in relation to its sporting characteristics. A car that satisfied everyone's needs, even the least experienced drivers. Comfortable, convenient and suitable for long motorway journeys, it was considered safe. Its engine capacity, which exceeded 3 liters, also distinguished it from previous models. It was equipped with leather interiors and Jaeger instruments appropriate for its class as standard. It was the first Italian car specifically designed to be able to mount air conditioning and electric windows were offered as an option, a real first for the time. It contributed decisively to solving the economic difficulties that the Maserati company had to face in that period.

Curiosity – Even the famous Renato Rascel (Renato Ranucci) owned a Maserati 3500 GT Coupé Touring, collected in Modena on April 18, 1958. Rascel was an Italian actor, comedian, singer-songwriter, dancer, presenter and journalist. Eddie Fisher is said to have gifted Liz Taylor a 1962 gold Maserati 3500 GT. It was later sold to Anthony Quinn, an actor and car enthusiast. A 1959 Maserati 3500 GT appears in the 1961 film “Cash on Demand”. 

The Museo Nicolis also owns a Maserati 3500 GT Spider Vignale del 1960 and a Maserati 3500 Gti coupè Touring del 1962 .