A road car bred from racing roots, the 3500 GT would prove to stabilize Maserati’s position in the automotive industry in 1957, proving that the Modena firm could produce world-beating sports cars and road cars that could compete with the very best. Available as a 2+2 coupé or convertible, the most popular specification was Carrozzeria Touring’s coupé with the Milanese coachbuilder’s aluminium Superleggera construction. With this specification, it is very easy to see why so many commentators in period drew direct comparisons with Aston Martin’s highly regarded DB4.

Originally built in November of 1962 and finished in Bleu Sera over Ivory, chassis number AM101 2512 boasts fuel injection and coupé bodywork by Touring. It was shipped new to Switzerland where it was sold to a Mr Steiger of Bern. By May of 1966, the history file accompanying the car notes that Steiger still owned the car, having brought it in for service at 32,000 km.

By 1975, the car had moved to Sweden, where it was owned by a Mr Svanbäck. The car remained in Sweden throughout the 1980s, where it was restored from 1986–1989, and passed through four owners in that country before being imported to Norway in 1996. Acquired by its current owner in 2004, it has been restored specifically for use in vintage tours and rallies, and is equipped as such with stopwatches and ancillary gauges. In his ownership, the car received an engine and gearbox refurbishment in 2009, along with a suspension rebuild in 2010. Currently fitted with racing seats, it is important to note that the car is accompanied by its original seats, as well as front and rear bumpers, should its new owner like to return the car to its original specification.

In the words of Grant Gregor, founder of Autosport: ‘This is a masterpiece, offering high-speed travel with luxurious comfort . . . one of the most fascinating high-performance cars of our time’. An interesting entrant for vintage events, this 3500 GTi has provided many miles of excitement and adventure with its current Norwegian owner, and would surely continue the favour for its next custodian.