1962 Maserati 3500 GTi

$278,500. Driversource, Houston, Texas, USA

CARS WITH CONTINUOUS history, long-term owners and characterful patina are in many ways more impressive specimens than those that have been restored to perfection. This 1962 Maserati 3500 GTi is a perfect example of why these cars deserve to be celebrated.

According to Maserati’s records, it was first registered to Cisitalia Autocostruzioni after being sold through a dealership in Turin. Used until 1973 by Carlo Dusio, son of the well-known Cisitalia principal Piero Dusio, it was was later exported to the US in 1975 and sold by Bob Grossman’s Maserati dealership in Nyack, New York.

It led a pampered life in Illinois with its next owner, and after being pulled out of long-term storage in 2017 it seemed in exceptionally original condition. The trim, brightwork, lights, wheels and

leather upholstery all appeared to be as they were when this 3500 left the Maserati factory, as did most of the paint.

The challenge was to retain as much of the character and originality as possible, and the past two years have seen the Carrozzeria Touringbodied 3500 GTi undergo thorough mechanical refreshment and sympathetic cosmetic detailing.

Mechanical work included a full brake service, cooling-system overhaul and electrical rebuild, with every consumable part replaced. The original exhaust couldn’t be rescued so a custom stainless steel system, which retained the car’s original tips, was fabricated in the UK.

When it was launched in 1960 the GTi was the first Italian production car to feature fuel injection, and this tricky-to-repair Lucas system has been rebuilt and fully calibrated at a cost of over $20,000.

Maserati Classiche has provided build sheets, and during recent work it was ascertained that the 3500 GTi still featured fully matching-numbered body panels, engine and chassis. As a reasonably late model, it also came from the factory with allround disc brakes and the five-speed manual ZF transmission.

Offered for sale in the USA by Driversource, this is a car that should continue to be used carefully and enjoyed, but also preserved for future generations. A car is only original once, after all.