Despite numerous racetrack successes that included Juan Manuel Fangio's fifth World Championship - at the wheel of a 250F - and runner-up spot in the World Sportscar Championship with the fabulous 450S, both in 1957, the marque's most successful season, Maserati was by that time facing a bleak future. Its parent company's financial difficulties eventually forced a withdrawal from racing and Maserati's survival strategy for the 1960s centered on establishing the company as a producer of road cars. The Modena marque's new era began in 1957 with the launch of the Touring-bodied 3500GT, its first road model built in significant numbers. A luxury '2+2', the 3500GT drew on Maserati's competition experience, employing a tubular chassis frame and an engine derived from the 350S sports car unit of 1956. Its designer was none other than Giulio Alfieri, creator of the immortal Tipo 60/61 'Birdcage' sports-racer and the man responsible for developing the 250F into a World Championship winner. The twin-overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine was a close relative of that used in the 250F and developed around 220bhp initially on carburetors, later examples producing 235bhp on Lucas mechanical fuel injection. Built initially with drum brakes and four-speed transmission, the 3500GT was progressively updated, gaining five speeds, front disc brakes and, finally, all-disc braking before production ceased in 1964.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Fabricated in March, 1962, it was sold new to engineer Angelo Rapisarda of Milano, Italy who first registered it in 1964. The next known owner was James Wojcik of Mercer Street in New York City who purchased it in 1999. Mr. Wojcik spent $8,918.47 having Anthony Dutton of Northumberland Engineering in Southampton, New York completely rebuild the engine, transmission, brakes and most other mechanical parts. He spent another $1,332.50 with Coker Tire.

On June 15, 2002, Mr. Wojcik sold his Maserati to the current owner. Driven on the 2003 New England 1000 organized by Vintage Rallies, it was determined that the newly-rebuilt engine was unsatisfactory. In 2004, Restoration & Performance Motorcars in Vergennes, Vermont removed the Maserati engine and transmission and replaced them with a Chevrolet V-8 and Tremec 5-speed at a cost of $11,160. All the Maserati mechanicals removed were of course retained.

Abetting the cosmetics, new proper Black velour carpeting was imported from Germany and installed along with new Black interior leatherwork by master automotive upholsterer Ed Geyer of the Recovery Room. Fresh hides were used to trim the rear package shelf, door handles, and passenger grab handle. Bridgestone radial tires replaced the Michelins, custom-made Penske shock absorbers replaced the originals, and the Maserati front and rear bumpers were removed and carefully stored, along with their factory hardware.

In this configuration, the Maserati was displayed multiple times at Greenwich Concours, Fairfield Concours and Lime Rock Sunday in the Park. It also successfully completed over a dozen 1000-mile Vintage Rallies during the next 12 years, and was featured in Vintage Motorsport, Victory Lane and other national magazines. During this period, it was maintained by vintage car experts at AutoSport in Sharon, Connecticut, whose other celebrity customers include Skip Barber, Sam Posey and Barney Hallingby.

In 2016, RPM VT returned the Maserati to original specification, totally rebuilding the matching numbers engine, transmission and all other mechanical parts. Invoices totaling $67,141.83 give evidence of the thoroughness of the mechanical rebuild, including a completely new Lucas fuel-injection system and stainless-steel exhaust system.

The Maserati was then taken by master craftsman Scott Quaile of Davis Auto Body in Copake, New York. He freshened the exterior bodywork and paint, as well as detailing the interior, trunk, chassis and engine compartment for a total of nearly $7,000. Among other things, the passenger compartment insulation was improved, but original and unrestored features were retained whenever possible, including the seats and the distinctive quilted trunk liner.

Maserati AM 101.2078 is now in beautiful condition, including its original Blaupunkt radio, clock, multiple cigar lighters, and functional speedometer/odometer/trip meter. The original tachometer has been converted to electric rather than mechanical drive, and the bumpers are still wrapped up in a huge cardboard box, because the owner thinks the immaculate Touring bodywork is prettier minus the bumpers. This rare Maserati is ready to continue its successful career in concours, rallies and touring events, embodying la dolce vita as only a beautiful and exotic Italian GT can do.

—Bonhams, Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Auction, Lot 165