Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua - Florida in mind

Premium

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua - Florida in mind

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on October 24, 2022

Text:

Stefan Dierkes, Paul Krüger

Photos:

Simon Clay / RM Sotheby's

32

Pietro Frua, Turin (I); Archiv Automobil-Revue

2

Pietro Frua, Turin (I); Archiv Roberto Rigoli (Familie Frua), Turin (I)

2

Stefan Dierkes, Karlsruhe

1

Richard von Frankenberg, Beilstein

1

Darin Schnabel - Courtesy RM/Sotheby's

1

Archiv Didier Fort, Paris (F)

1

Robin Adams - Courtesy RM Sotheby's

1

Archiv

10

51

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - friendlier and more playful than the later Spyder Vignale

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - one-off with similarities to the Renault Floride, also designed by Frua

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - very squat-looking soft top, in contrast to the interior in the correct color of the original condition

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - the wheelbase was shortened by 10 centimeters to 2.5 meters

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - The slight asymmetry is typical of handcrafted one-offs

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - Elegant rear end with no indication of make or model

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - The motif of the slightly recessed headlights was also found on the Renault Floride

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - Bumper with cut-out for the trunk lock. The single exhaust outlet is on the left.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - The lights are some of the few purchased parts

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - At the front, the Fura Spider has only small bumper corners with large horns

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - teardrop-shaped, slightly slanted rear lights

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - Modesty is a virtue. That's why the lettering is comparatively small

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - Air outlets in the front side panel

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - wire wheels by Carlo Borrani

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - Signature on the mudguard: Creazione P. Frua

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - even the oval around the trident differs slightly from the standard version

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - Almond-shaped emblem between radiator grille and hood

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - Black, white and red - an interior like stracciatella ice cream with raspberry sauce

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - elegant wooden steering wheel by Nardi

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - French instruments, Italian lettering

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - Speedometer with fine scaling. Depending on the rear axle, speeds of up to 230 km/h were possible

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - Trident on the horn button

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - No radio, just a panel with lettering

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - Originally the seats were covered in turquoise and white

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - rear seat bench only usable for short distances

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - Simple door panel without armrest, but with footrests

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - a black soft top is hidden (again) under the light-colored tarpaulin

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - a disguised racing engine with dual ignition, two camshafts and three twin carburetors

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - three-half-liter six-cylinder engine with 220 hp according to DIN and 240 hp according to CUNA

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - Double horizontal carburetor type 42 DCOE 6

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - of course it doesn't need regular super gasoline, but Italian Supercortemaggiore

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - chassis number 101.268

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - In the backyard of Frua's Studio Tecnico in Via Villa Glori 8, Turin

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - in the backyard of Frua's Studio Tecnico, with black soft top and right-hand dual exhaust

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - Pietro Frua built this convertible in 1958 on the AM 101.268 chassis, which not coincidentally bears similarities to the Renault Floride

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - front view of the Frua convertible, which remained a one-off

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - taken at the Maserati factory in Modena in January 1959

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - photographed at the beginning of 1959 in the Parco Giardino Ducale Estense in Modena

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - already with white soft top

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - Scene from the 1960 movie "The Frenchwoman and Love"

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT (1957) - the prototype of Touring, called "Dama Bianca (white lady), at the Geneva Motor Show 1957

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT (1957) - taken on the occasion of the AR short tests in Turin - the car corresponds to the prototype on display

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT (1962) - Coupé at the 1962 Turin Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Touring (1958) - Debut in Geneva, but never built in series - Geneva Motor Show 1958

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Touring (1958) - Interior of the exhibition vehicle at the 1958 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Renault Dauphine GT (1958) - predecessor of the Renault Floride by Pietro Frua, built by Ghia-Aigle

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Renault Floride (1960) - Elegance from Paris, assembled by Brissoneau & Lotz - Geneva Motor Show 1960

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spyder Vignale (1960) - new convertible with a smart shape - Geneva Motor Show 1960

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1958) - at the RM Sotheby's auction of the Brener collection in Monterey

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1959) - as lot 155 at the RM/Sotheby's auction in Monterey 2017

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT Spider Frua (1959) - offered as lot 136 at the RM Online Only Shift Monterey auction on August 14 and 15, 2020

You have only

1 out of 51

images seen in high resolution

Summary

In addition to Touring and Vignale, Pietro Frua also applied for the contract to build the Maserati 3500 GT Spider at the end of the 1950s. His design was elegant, sporty and far more sophisticated than those of his competitors. Series production had almost been decided when Maserati changed its mind. This article tells the story of the one-off and shows it in many historical and current photos.

This article contains the following chapters

Racing technology for the road
Referendum in Geneva
Renault lines for the Maserati
Sale to Paris
Two decades later
Change of ownership and incorrect interior

Estimated reading time: 8min

Preview (beginning of the article)

With the Maserati 3500 GT presented at the 27th Geneva Motor Show (March 14-24, 1957), the brand with the trident broke away from pure competition vehicles, which were provisionally domesticated for civilian road use with a few special bodies, and offered a luxury sports car for private use in large numbers for the first time. By 1965, 1973 examples had been built, establishing the tradition of luxury sports cars at Maserati and giving the entire vehicle category its name: Gran Turismo. The engine, however, was still based on a racing engine. Stirling Moss had already competed in the 1956 Mille Miglia with the three-and-a-half-liter six-cylinder engine. Two overhead camshafts and dual ignition were therefore just as much a matter of course as three twin carburetors. Reduced in terms of maximum power and engine speed and with a timing chain instead of spur gears, the light-alloy engine still produced an impressive 220 hp at 5500 rpm. In the contemporary competitive environment of super sports cars, it was thus positioned between the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (215 hp) and the Ferrari 250 GT (240 hp). With a displacement of 3485 cubic centimetres, the six-cylinder engine was also the largest Italian production engine of its time.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Images of this article

Source: