1961 Maserati 3500 GT Vignale Spyder
The Amelia Auction 2025
Chassis No. AM1011311
Engine No. AM1011311
Throughout its history as a manufacturer, Maserati's focus was primarily on motorsports, which was rewarded with numerous victories in Grand Prix and sports car racing before and after World War II. The few road cars the firm sold were exclusive and expensive, heavily relying on components from their racing machines. Although Juan Manuel Fangio had achieved his fifth and final World Championship driving for Maserati in 1957, the company ultimately saw the discontinuation of its factory racing program in 1958. To ensure its financial health, Maserati needed to adopt a new business strategy and while they continued to offer racing car services to privateers, the Modena marque would begin building series production road cars for the first time with the 3500 GT.
When word of Maserati's intention to begin building road cars spread, Italy's most esteemed carrozzerie mobilized to secure manufacturing contracts. The 1957 Geneva Motor Show served as the stage for two competing visions: Allemano's interpretation and Carrozzeria Touring's submission from Milan. Maserati ultimately selected the Touring design, a sophisticated 2+2 coupe showcasing the firm's signature Superleggera construction method, which utilized aluminum body panels attached to a rigid steel framework.
Following the 3500 GT coupe's commercial success, customers, particularly in the American market, expressed strong interest in an open variant. The development process spanned several iterations: Frua crafted an initial Spyder prototype in 1957 using an early 3500 GT chassis, though this design didn't advance to production. Carrozzeria Touring followed with two open-air studies in 1958. The breakthrough came in 1959 when Carrozzeria Vignale unveiled their Spyder, penned by the masterful Giovanni Michelotti. This definitive version rode on a shortened wheelbase—10 centimeters shorter than the coupe—and utilized steel body panels with an aluminum hood and trunk lid rather than the closed car's all-aluminum construction. Production continued through 1964, with just 242 Spyder examples built compared to around 2,000 coupes.
Documentation obtained through Maserati Classiche shows that this magnificent 3500 GT Vignale Spyder, chassis number 1311, was delivered through Agence Maserati of Saint-Cloud, France, on 4 July 1961. Ordered for a Mossier Foussier, the car's factory order sheet shows that it was originally finished in Kaki Oliva over a Marrone (brown) leather interior, and notes that it was supplied with a limited slip differential, matching hardtop, a beige canvas soft top, and a passenger seat headrest.
Coming from a noted German collection comprised of world-class post-war European sports cars, the Spyder presents today as a fine example Michelotti's design masterpiece executed by Carrozzeria Vignale. The coachwork is finished in period-correct Verde Scuro Metallizzato paintwork, complemented by a sumptuous brown leather interior, grey carpeting, and a finely tailored tan convertible top. Its presentation is further complemented by its dazzling Borrani wire wheels with knock-off hubs. Under the aluminum hood resides Maserati's venerable 3.5-liter inline-six engine, which is recognized to be its original, matching-numbers unit corresponding with its factory build sheets from Maserati Classiche. Featuring triple Weber carburetors and producing a robust 235 horsepower, power is delivered through a desirable ZF five-speed manual transmission, while front disc brakes provide stopping power.
The 3500 GT Spyder stands as one of the definitive grand tourers of the early 1960s, embodying the mechanical sophistication and design elegance that marked Italy's golden age of grand touring automobiles. This outstanding example, one of only 242 ever produced, benefits from an extraordinary confluence of desirable equipment: the sophisticated ZF five-speed transmission, triple Weber carburetion, four-wheel disc brakes, and Borrani wire wheels. Its stunning color scheme and matching-numbers engine make it an ideal candidate for both international concours events and spirited grand touring, where its open-air configuration allows for the full sensory experience of Maserati's magnificent inline-six.