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The mysterious other Maserati Mexico by Pietro Frua

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Created on August 27, 2015

Text:

Bruno von Rotz und Stefan Dierkes

Photos:

Bonhams

8

Maserati Archiv / Werk

4

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

2

Archiv

6

Bonhams

8

Maserati Archiv / Werk

4

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

2

Archiv

6

Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - classic Granturismo

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Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - large windows

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Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - visually successful rear end

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Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - 2+2-seater

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Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - Cockpit of the one-off car

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Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - eight cylinders in V-shape

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Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - Front reminiscent of the Quattroporte

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Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - a spring holds the boot lid in place

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Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - as it was originally built

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Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - as it was originally built

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Maserati Mexico 4700 Frua (1968) - attractively shaped one-off

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Maserati Mexico 4700 Frua (1968) - an almalgam of Sebring, Quattroporte and Mexico style elements

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Maserati Mexico 4700 Frua (1968) - simple and elegant, here fitted with Borrani wheels

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Maserati Mexico 4700 Frua (1968) - luxurious interior

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Maserati Mexico (1971) - pleasing production coupé (Vignale)

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Maserati Mexico (1966) - early photo of the production version

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Maserati Mexico (1967) - simply designed coupé

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Maserati Mexico (1971) - with 4.2- or 4.7-liter engine

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Maserati Mexico (1972) - after five years of construction

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Maserati Mexico (1971) - Interior and rear seat

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Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - grosse Fensterflächen

Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - optisch gelungenes Heck

Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - 2+2-Sitzer

Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - Cockpit des Einzelstücks

Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - acht Zylinder in V-Form

Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - Front erinnert an den Quattroporte

Summary

485 units of the Maserati Mexico were built, with a 2+2-seater coupé body by Vignale. Pietro Frua created three special body variants, the most attractive in 1968. The almost lost car was restored in 2013 and has since been shown at various events. This vehicle report portrays the unique Maserati and shows it in old and new pictures.

This article contains the following chapters

Modular technology
The three alternatives from Pietro Frua
Mysterious birth
Almost disappeared from the scene
Valuable show star
Further information

Estimated reading time: 3min

Preview (beginning of the article)

In October 1966, Maserati presented the 2+2-seater Coupé Mexico in Paris. Technically, it was based on the Quattroporte chassis, which had been shortened by 11 cm. A 4.7-liter and a 4.2-liter version of the proven eight-cylinder engine were offered. The bodies of the Mexico were built by Vignale, with a total of around 485 units leaving production between 1966 and 1972. They all bore the body shape that largely corresponded to the prototype designed by Virginio Vairo for Carrozzeria Vignale, which had been shown at the Turin Motor Show in 1965. Like the Quattroporte, the Maserati Mexico used front trapezoidal wishbones with coil springs and a rear rigid axle with leaf springs for wheel guidance. Disc brakes were used all round. The engine was a V8 with a 90-degree angle, whose 16 valves were controlled by a total of four camshafts. With a displacement of 4.7 liters, the unit produced around 290 hp and accelerated the four-seater coupé, which weighed around 1650 kg, up to 255 km/h (according to the AR catalog).

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Images of this article

Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - grosse Fensterflächen

Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - optisch gelungenes Heck

Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - 2+2-Sitzer

Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - Cockpit des Einzelstücks

Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - acht Zylinder in V-Form

Maserati Mexico Frua (1968) - Front erinnert an den Quattroporte

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