Rare Right-Hand Drive Maserati 3500 GTI Spyder to Join Concours of Elegance

A remarkably rare 1963 Maserati 3500 GTI Spyder will join the line-up at the Concours of Elegance, representing one of just eight right-hand-drive examples of the Vignale-bodied model.

The Maserati 3500GT was unveiled at the 1957 Geneva Motor Show and quickly proved a success. Following unsuccessful open-top prototypes by Touring and Frua, Giovanni Michelotti at Carrozzeria Vignale was tasked with creating the design for a production Spyder.

Unveiled at the 1959 Turin Salon, the Vignale Spyder entered production in 1960, with just 242 examples hand built. Right-hand-drive cars were particularly rare, with only eight produced, and even fewer examples built to the later GTI specification.

Unlike the 3500GT Coupé, the Spyder was hand built by Vignale and featured unique bumpers, a different grille shape, a significantly shorter wheelbase and an elegant rear deck housing its retractable soft top. Power came from a 3.5-litre inline-six engine descended from the Grand Prix-winning Tipo 350S.

This car was the second-to-last right-hand-drive example built and was delivered to Maserati Concessions Ltd in Holland Park, London, on 27 August 1963. It benefits from the later GTI developments, including a five-speed gearbox, disc brakes and Lucas fuel injection.

Presented in its original factory colour of Amaranto Roma Metallic with Neutral hide, the car was also specified with the popular Borrani wire wheels.

Following a long period in UK collections, the car underwent a comprehensive restoration, including a full bare-metal respray, complete retrim and engine, suspension and gearbox rebuild. A further programme of work has since been undertaken to bring the car to Concours condition.

This exceptionally rare right-hand-drive Maserati 3500 GTI Spyder will now take its place at the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace