Beschreibung:

1967 Maserati Mistral 4000 Spyder Coachwork by Carrozzeria Frua Registration no. VBY 373E Chassis no. AM109/SA1*655* • Delivered new to the USA • 4.0-litre engine and ZF five-speed manual gearbox • Present ownership for 42 years • Professionally restored in the 1980s • Maintained by Bill McGrath Maserati Footnotes"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 Even now, many years after the company has withdrawn from any form of competition, past glories linger on."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 sports car 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 3500 GT. A luxury '2+2', the 3500 GT drew heavily on Maserati's competition experience, employing a tubular chassis frame and an engine derived from the 350S sports car 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. The 3500 GT's designer was none other than Giulio Alfieri, creator of the immortal Tipo 60/61 'Birdcage' sports-racer and the man responsible for developing the 250F into a World Championship winner. The twin-overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine was a close relative of that used in the 250F and developed around 220bhp initially, later examples producing 235bhp on Lucas mechanical fuel injection. Built initially with drum brakes and four-speed transmission, the 3500 GT was progressively updated, gaining five speeds, front disc brakes and, finally, all-disc braking. The next development of the theme arrived in 1962. Built on the short-wheelbase chassis of the Vignale-bodied 3500 GT spyder, the Sebring coupé featured a five-speed gearbox, disc brakes and fuel injection as standard equipment, with automatic transmission, air conditioning and a limited-slip differential available as options. Last of these classic six-cylinder Maseratis, the Pietro Frua-styled Mistral commenced production in 1963. The 3.7-litre version of the Bolognese manufacturer's famous long-stroke engine was fitted to most cars, other options being the 3.5-litre or, from 1966, the 4.0-litre unit, all of which came with Lucas fuel injection. A handsome two-seater on a shortened, square-tube chassis, the aluminium-bodied Mistral was built in coupé and spyder versions, the former's opening rear window hatch making it unusually practical for a sports 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 828 coupés and 123 spyders had been built. A desirable five-speed manual transmission model, this particular Mistral Spyder 4000 was produced on 9th January 1967 and left the factory bound for West Nyack, New York, USA. The original colour scheme was Nero (black) with Senape (tan) interior. In 1980 the Mistral was purchased as a partially dismantled restoration project from the USA and imported into the UK in 1981 by the current vendor (all import papers on file). The car had been dismantled by the previous owner in Florida and was offered for sale by Maserati specialist Kyle W Fleming of Virginia Beach (see letter on file). A past Secretary of the Maserati Owners' Club, the vendor managed the restoration himself, securing all necessary parts, etc. Related bills may be found in the large history file. Restoration of the body/chassis was entrusted to C R Lawrence of CRL Panels of Wymondham, Norfolk (latterly Wymondham Engineering) while the engine was rebuilt by renowned marque specialists Bill McGrath Maserati. The car was repainted white and the black leather trim, and the restoration finally completed in 1986. McGr