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3500 Category: Vehicle Model Wikipedia: Maserati 3500 GT Description: A sports car produced by Maserati from 1957-1964. It came in GT, GTi, GT Spyder, and GTi Spyder versions. Page Sections: History · Article Index |
The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Maserati 3500 GT page on 17 November 2024, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
The Maserati 3500 GT (Tipo 101) and the Maserati 3500 GT Spyder (Tipo 101/C) are 2-door coupé and convertible grand tourers made by Italian car manufacturer Maserati between 1957 and 1964. It was a seminal vehicle for Maserati as the company's first successful attempt at the Gran Turismo market and series production.
The main development efforts that led to the 3500 GT were carried out in 1956–57, despite the frantic activity required by Maserati's participation in the Formula 1 world championship. Alfieri modified the 350S's engine to suit a touring car, e.g. by switching to a wet sump oil system and changing the engine accessories. He also made several business trips to the United Kingdom in order to contact components suppliers. None were found in Italy, as Italian taxation system and the industry structure forced manufacturers to design every part in-house; a daunting task for small companies like Maserati. Thus the 3500 GT alongside Italian Weber carburettors and Marelli ignition, used many British-made components such as a Salisbury rear axle, Girling brakes and Alford & Alder suspension parts.
Next came the bodywork. According to Carrozzeria Touring's Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni it was Commendatore Franco Cornacchia, a prominent Ferrari dealer, that put in contact Maserati owner Omar Orsi with the Milanese Carrozzeria. The first 3500 GT Touring prototype had a 2+2 body, with superleggera construction and was white in colour; it was nicknamed Dama Bianca (White Lady). Two 3500 GT prototypes were shown at the March 1957 Salon International de l'Auto in Geneva. Both had a 2,600 mm (102.4 in) wheelbase, 6.50-16 Pirelli tyres and aluminium bodywork; they were Touring's Dama Bianca, and another one by Carrozzeria Allemano. Touring's proposal was chosen for series production; few changes were made to it, chiefly a more imposing grille.
| Date | Article | Details |
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| 5 April 2011 | The Classic Maserati 3500 It could be considered as the first true attempt of Maserati at the Gran Turismo market, and it also signaled the company's entry to large volume production. | Commentary (text) Byline: William Jason Topic: Maserati 3500 GT |