Maserati 3500 GT Spyder by Vignale - 1962

Delivered in 1962 in Germany. Now back to original specs including hardtop after a complete restoration.

BEELD 10

We found AM101.1421 in 2015 as what looked like a restored bodyshell. The car came in boxes filled with spare parts – a lot were unrestored, and some were partially restored. However, most of the restoration work was carried out to a vague standard in the 1990s.
It turned that out many crucial parts were missing. When planning the project, the primary challenge was to analyse and understand the quality of the work already done and the quality of the existing parts and components.

Based on what we found, the rebuilding strategy was decided. That was to bring the car to a world-class standard without overstressing an already ambitious budget.
Although this car is the 4th Vignale Spyder restoration carried out in our workshop, it was the most demanding one. We could not start from scratch but rather took over a restoration project 'in progress'. We outsourced and supervised the painting and interior trimming. All other work, including rebuild, was carried out in our workshop. The restoration process required a total of 1800 hours. The major technical challenge was handcrafting all the missing parts – specifically chrome trim; window and door mechanics, etc.

These cars are exceptional and parts mutated and altered over the model's lifetime. Most of the technical components were rebuild to our LP – standard without compromise. Our aim was to build the car to precise factory specs and still allow a satisfying driving experience by avoiding to a maximum degree the noises, vibration and heat.


Leo Peschl, July 2020

Logo leo peschl
Specifications
  • Chassis number: AM101*1421*
  • Engine number: 1180
  • Build year: 1962
  • Body: Spyder with matching hardtop
  • Transmission: ZF 5-speed
  • Matching number: Yes
  • Matching colours: Yes
  • Price: € 1.025.000.123,-
CENNINI DAG 237279
CENNINI DAG 237279

The 3500GT was a success in its niche. Demand led to the production of some 2500 examples; high numbers for such an exclusive machine. Of this number, only 242 of the Spyders were built, with a chassis two inches shorter than the coupé version and bodywork styled by Vignale. Of the 242, only around 40 to 45 were fitted with hardtops. This car AM101 *1421* comes with such a hardtop.

The official Maserati documents show that the car's colour combination was Bianco Spino Max Meyer 12.231 for the body and Pelle Blue ( blue leather) with carpets in colour Blue 301. It has body number 217 and internal engine number 1180 and came with carburettors, 5-speed ZF gearbox and wire-wheels.

History

AM101 1421 doc2
AM101 1421 doc2

During the research for this car in 2018, we have reached out to the son of the first owner Mr Zoelch who passed away in 2015. The son gave this info:
"My father passed away three years ago and remained a petrolhead till the very end. Unfortunately, at the time when he owned his first Maserati (the one you are talking about), I wasn't born yet. The boy sitting in the car was my cousin. I also have this photo in my family album."

Kid in car
Kid in car

Restoration

Here is a very small selection of pictures that were taken before and during the restoration. The work started in 2016 and was finished in 2019. Over 6 Gigabytes of pictures are available, documenting the parts and the restoration.

Condition of the car

At the moment of writing this car is considered to be excellent, pristine. It has a documented nut & bolt ground-up restoration. It is stored professionally and comes with the above mentioned vehicle history.
It has been thoroughly restored over a period of 3 years. After that, the car has been test-driven by the workshop team and by the owner in Belgium, all in all not more than 1500 km. The car has been back to the workshop to do the first maintenance and adjustments.


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