Lot 158: 1967 Maserati Mistral Spyder with Factory Hardtop

"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 Even now, may years after the company has withdrawn from any form of competition, past glories linger on."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 sportscar 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 3500GT. A luxury 2+2, the 3500GT drew 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. Power output of the gorgeous twin-cam six was around 220bhp initially, later examples producing 235bhp.
Built on the short-wheelbase chassis of the Vignale-bodied 3500GT spyder, the Sebring coupé arrived in 1962. A five-speed gearbox, disc brakes and fuel injection were now standard equipment; automatic transmission, air conditioning, and a limited-slip differential were options.
Last of the 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 827 coupés and 123 spyders had been built.

Finished in dark blue with tan leather interior, this left-hand drive Mistral Spyder is supplied with the ultra rare hardtop and the desirable ZF five-speed manual transmission. Its engine recently brought back to running condition, the car is offered with copies of technical data sheets (in German) and service invoice (1979) together with old Swiss and current German registration papers. Appreciation for the Mistral is growing, and rightly so.

Finie en bleu foncé avec intérieur cuir naturel, cette Maserati Spyder à conduite à gauche possède son ultra rare hard-top et l'intéressante boîte manuelle ZF à cinq rapports. Avec son moteur remis récemment en état de fonctionnement, cette voiture est vendue avec ses fiches techniques (en allemand) et ses factures d'entretien (1979) ainsi qu'avec ses anciens documents d'immatriculation suisses et ses actuels papiers allemands. La Mistral voit actuellement sa cote augmenter et à juste titre.