Maserati Mistral Spyder - Pietro Frua's masterpiece as a convertible

Premium

Maserati Mistral Spyder - Pietro Frua's masterpiece as a convertible

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

Created on August 23, 2020

Text:

Bruno von Rotz / Stefan Dierkes

Photos:

Bonhams

20

Bruno von Rotz

3

Archiv Gerhard Schütz

3

Pietro Frua, Turin (I)

1

Archiv Reinhard / Max Pichler

1

Archiv

23

51

Maserati Mistral Spyder (1964) - certainly one of the most elegant Maserati of the sixties

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder (1964) - one of the most beautiful designs by Pietro Frua

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder (1964) - typical sixties body line

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder (1964) - equipped with wire wheels like most Mistrals

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder (1964) - looks like one piece even with the roof up

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder (1964) - the bumper divides the face into two halves

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder (1964) - rear view

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder (1964) - low waistline, fully retractable folding roof

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder (1964) - simple Spyder body shape

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder (1964) - workplace for the driver

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder (1964) - ready to go

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder (1964) - Leather seats, hardly any wood

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder (1964) - extensive instrumentation

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder (1964) - Steering wheel by Malvino

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder (1964) - simple controls

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder (1964) - in-line six-cylinder engine with two overhead camshafts

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder (1964) - Weber carburetor instead of the standard Lucas injection system

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder (1964) - the Maserati lettering on the engine

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder (1964) - elegant front end

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder (1964) - Maserati trademark

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

Maserati Berlinetta Due Posti (Mistral) (1963) - Prototype by Pietro Frua

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

Maserati Mistral (1963) - the Frua prototype at the 48th Turin Motor Show in 1963

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

Maserati 3500 (1963) - the coupé at the 1963 Turin Motor Show

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

Maserati 3500 (1963) - at the Turin Motor Show in 1963, with open tailgate

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

Maserati Mistral 3500 GT 2 Posti Coupé (1963) - elegant coupé, designed by Pietro Frua

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

Maserati 3500 GT Due Posti (1964) - the Frua Coupé already with wire wheels

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

Maserati 3500 GT Due Posti (1964) - the Frua Coupé from the front, already without chrome under the headlights

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

Maserati 3500 GT Due Posti (1964) - Interior

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

Maserati Mistral (1964) - the pre-series version (?) with 3.7-liter engine (?) and without ornamentation on the flank at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder 3500 (1964) - shown at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show

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

Maserati Mistral Spyder 3500 (1964) - at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show, designed by Pietro Frua

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

Maserati 2 Posti Spider (1965) - a masterpiece by Pietro Frua

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

Maserati 2 Posti (1964) - Silhouette of the fastback coupé

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

Maserati Mistral (1964) - production version of the fastback coupé with tailgate

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

Maserati Mistral (1967) - drawing of the production version, the Maserati emblem on the hood is missing

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

Maserati Mistral Spider 3700 (1964) - the Spider designed by Pietro Frua also cut a very fine figure as a closed convertible

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

Maserati Mistral Spider (1965) - perfect lines

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

Maserati Mistral (1966) - elegant and sporty

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

Maserati Mistral (1965) - model "2 posti" - design by Frua - the extensive rear glazing is striking - Geneva Motor Show 1965

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

Maserati Mistral (1966) - elegant coupé from the hand of Pietro Frua - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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

Maserati Mistral (1965) - at the 1965 Geneva Motor Show

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

Maserati Mistral Spider (1967) - with hardtop

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

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

Maserati Mistral (1966) - luxurious interior of the coupé

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

Maserati Mistral (1966) - View into the trunk, which is only separated from the seats by a crossbar

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

Maserati Mistral (1966) - the fuel-injected six-cylinder engine with a displacement of 3.7 or 4 liters

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

Maserati Mistral (1966) - elegant interior

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

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

Maserati Mistral 4000 (1966) - at the Concorso d'Eleganza Italiauto 2016

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

Maserati Mistral 4000 (1966) - at the Concorso d'Eleganza Italiauto 2016

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

Maserati Mistral (1966) - at the Concorso d'Eleganza Italiauto in St. Urban on May 3, 2015

You have only

1 out of 51

images seen in high resolution

Summary

The Maserati Mistral is considered one of Pietro Frua's most beautiful designs. While the coupé had a practical tailgate, the open-top Mistral was built conventionally with a flat rear. Thanks to its timeless design and low production numbers, the open-top Mistral is one of the most sought-after classics today. This vehicle report describes the history of the Maserati Mistral and shows it in historical and current images.

This article contains the following chapters

Fruitful collaboration with Pietro Frua
The first prototype
Presentation of the coupé at the 45th Turin Motor Show
Technically closely related to the 3500 GT
A second prototype as a convertible
Confusion of names
For the housewife in a hurry?
Elaborate production
A convertible with a real personality
Replaced by the Ghibli and Indy
Number 3 or 4

Estimated reading time: 12min

Preview (beginning of the article)

If it is true that the earliest cars in a model series are usually the most valuable, then the third series-built Maserati Mistral Spyder should certainly attract a lot of interest. The fact that it wasn't even called a Mistral at the time and that there are other mysteries surrounding the short Maserati sports car don't make the car any less exciting. Pietro Frua had already coachbuilt a Maserati A6G in 1950, and others followed. For the series production of the successor 3500 GT, however, Maserati then preferred the Vignale design for the convertible to the Frua prototype from 1959. And Frua's 1961 proposal for the 3500 GTI Coupé Sebring was also rejected.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Images of this article

Source: