Maserati 3500

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Maserati 3500 GT
Manufacturer Maserati
Production 1957–1964
Class Grand Tourer
Body style 2+2 coupé, 2-seat spyder
Platform FR
Engine 3485.3cc Inline-Six, Three twin-choke 42 DCOE Weber carburettors (1957-1960), Lucas direct fuel injection (1961-1964)
Transmission ZF 4 speed and reverse (5-speed from 1961), Rear wheel drive
Wheelbase 2600 mm
Curb weight 1466 kg (dry)
Related Maserati 350S
Similar Ferrari 250
Aston Martin DB4
Maserati Sebring
Designer Carrozzeria Touring

Maserati 3500 was a 2-door coupé and convertible made by Maserati of Italy, being the company's first attempt at the Gran Turismo market and large-volume production.

Maserati's chief engineer Giulio Alfieri developed the two 2+2 prototype 3500GT, revealed at the Salon International de l'Auto in Geneva, March 1957. Both had a 2600 mm wheelbase and aluminum bodywork; one a superleggera body by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, the other by Carrozzeria Allemano. The design incorporated

Minor design changes were done before production of the 1420 kg Touring-based body started late 1957. Front disc brakes and limited slip differential became optional in 1959, standardized in 1960; rear discs became standard in 1962. Borrani knock-out wire wheels complemented the standard steel wheels, as well as wider 185x16" radial tyres. All cars had leather interior and Jaeger-LeCoultre instruments. Power windows was added as standard.

In 1959 the Maserati 5000 GT was introduced, using the chassis of the 3500GT. Two steel-bodied convertible prototypes by Carrozzeria Vignale and Michelotti were developed in 1959 and shown at the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris 1959. The Vignale version went into production in 1960, as the 3500 GTs or just «Vignale spider», and had a shortened 2499 mm chassis weighing 1380 kg.

The 3500 GTi and 3500 GTis was introduced in 1961 as the first fuel-injected Italian production car. It had a Lucas fuel injection (235 bhp). A 5-speed ZF S5-17 gearbox was now standard (3.02:1, 1.85:1, 1.29:1, 1:1, 0.85:1), as well as disc brakes all round. The body had a lowered roofline and become somewhat longer; minor outward changes appeared as well (new grille, rear lights, vent windows). The rather similar Maserati Sebring also a 2+2 coupe entered production in 1962.

The first year (1958) sold 119 cars, 1961 was the best-selling year totalling 500. All together, 242 Vignale convertibles and nearly 2000 coupes were manufactured, of these, 1973 being Touring coupe, the rest were bodied by other coachbuildes, Carrozzeria Allemano (four coupes, including the 1957 prototype), Zagato (one coupe, 1957), Carrozzeria Boneschi (two cars; 1962, 1963 Salone dell'automobile di Torino, 1962); Salon International de l'Auto in Geneva, 1963), Pietro Frua (two or three coupes, one spider) and Bertone (one coupe). The last was a coupe by Moretti (Salon International de l'Auto in Geneva, 1966).

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Maserati

1946-1969: A6 · 3500 · 5000 GT · Mistral · Quattroporte I · Sebring · Mexico · Ghibli I

1970-1979: Khamsin · Bora · Indy · Merak · Quattroporte II · Quattroporte III · Kyalami

1980-1999: Biturbo · 420 · Spyder I · Quattroporte III Royale · Shamal · Karif · Barchetta · Ghibli II · Quattroporte IV · 3200 GT

2000-present: Coupé · Spyder II · Gran Sport · Quattroporte V · MC12 · GranTurismo

Racing Vehicles: 8C · V8RI · 6CM · 4CL/4CLT · 150S · Tipo 63 · Tipo 65 · 250F · 200S · 300S · 350S · 450S · Tipo 61 "Birdcage" · Tipo 151 · Tipo 154 · MC12 GT1 · Trofeo

Concept Cars: Birdcage 75th
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