FEATURED AUCTION - 1967 MASERATI 3.7-LITRE MISTRAL SPYDER

Estimate (£): 350,000 - 450,000.

*One of only 46 3.7-litre models
*Rare right-hand drive version
*Present ownership for 30 years
*Matching numbers
*ZF five-speed gearbox
*Believed genuine 50,318 miles from new
*Recent extensive mechanical refurbishment

'We do not suppose there are many cars whose names conjure up an aura of exotic glamour to the same extent as that of Maserati. Even now, many years after the company has withdrawn from any form of competition, past glories linger on.' - Sporting Motorist.

Maserati's survival strategy for the 1960s centred on establishing the company - which hitherto had mainly concentrated on its Grand Prix and sports car racing activities - as a producer of road cars. The Modena marque's new era began in 1957 with the launch at the Geneva Salon of the Touring-bodied 3500 GT. A luxury '2+2', the 3500 GT drew heavily on Maserati's competition experience, employing a tubular chassis frame and an engine derived from the 350S sportscar unit of 1956. Suspension was independent at the front by wishbones and coil springs, while at the back there was a conventional live axle/semi-elliptic arrangement. The 3500 GT's 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, later examples producing 235bhp on Lucas mechanical fuel injection. Built initially with drum brakes and four-speed transmission, the 3500 GT was progressively updated, gaining five speeds, front disc brakes and, finally, all-disc braking.

Last of these classic six-cylinder Maseratis, the Pietro Frua-styled Mistral commenced production in 1963. The 3.7-litre version of the Bolognese manufacturer's long-stroke engine was fitted to most cars, other options being the 3.5-litre or, from 1966, the 4.0-litre unit. A handsome two-seater on a shortened, square-tube chassis, the Mistral was built in coupé and spyder versions, the former's opening rear window hatch making it an unusually practical car. A five-speed gearbox, disc brakes and fuel injection were standard equipment; automatic transmission, air conditioning and a limited-slip differential the options. Production ceased in 1970, by which time a total of 828 coupés and 123 spyders had been built.

One of only 46 completed with the 3.7-litre engine, this Mistral Spyder was purchased by the current vendor in 1988 and taken to Hong Kong where its owner was working as a lawyer. Regularly serviced and maintained the car benefits from considerable recent expenditure and comes with bills for works carried out in 2018 by respected marque specialists McGrath Maserati, totalling in excess of £18,000. These works included rebuilds of the cylinder head, fuel injection metering unit, front suspension, and the steering mechanism. Other recent improvements include re-chroming of the bumpers and fitting a new convertible hood. McGrath Maserati restored the body around 20 years ago, fitting new sills, and repainted the car at the same time.

Representing an exciting opportunity to acquire a rare Spyder version of one of these highly sought-after classic Maseratis, this is a dream come true for any aficionado of fine thoroughbred sports cars.