1964 Maserati 3500 GTI Coupe – Exterior and Interior – Retro Classics Stuttgart 2022
By 1964, the Maserati 3500 GTI Coupé had evolved into one of Italy’s most technically refined grand tourers. Equipped with fuel injection and four-wheel disc brakes, it combined racing-derived engineering with genuine long-distance comfort. It also marked the closing chapter of the model that secured Maserati’s future as a road car manufacturer.
Technical Details:
The 1964 Maserati 3500 GTI Coupé was powered by a front-mounted inline six-cylinder engine with a displacement of 3,485 cc. This unit traced its origins to Maserati’s 350S sports racing engine but had been comprehensively adapted for road use. In GTI specification, introduced in 1960, the engine was fitted with Lucas mechanical fuel injection, replacing the earlier triple Weber carburetors. Output was rated at approximately 235 horsepower, delivering strong torque across the rev range and enabling a top speed in the region of 220 km/h.
Power was transmitted to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox supplied by ZF, which had become standard in later production. The chassis consisted of a tubular steel frame, reflecting Maserati’s competition heritage. The front suspension used double wishbones with coil springs, while the rear featured a live axle located by semi-elliptic leaf springs. By 1964, four-wheel disc brakes were standard equipment, a significant technical advantage over many contemporaries still relying on rear drum brakes.
The layout followed the classic front-engine, rear-wheel-drive grand touring formula, engineered for high-speed stability and long-distance comfort. The 3500 GTI combined performance and mechanical sophistication with improved reliability compared to Maserati’s earlier road models.
- Manufacturer: Maserati
- Model Name: Maserati 3500 GTI Coupe
- Year of Manufacturing: 1957–1964
Design:
The 3500 GTI Coupé retained the elegant body originally styled and built by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan. Touring employed its patented Superleggera construction method, which combined a lightweight tubular framework with aluminum body panels. This technique allowed for relatively low weight while maintaining structural integrity and refined proportions.
Visually, the design is characterized by clean, flowing lines and restrained detailing. The front features Maserati’s oval grille with the Trident emblem at its center, flanked by twin headlamps integrated smoothly into the fenders on later cars. The side profile is defined by a long hood and a gently sloping roofline, emphasizing the car’s grand touring purpose. Chrome trim is present but carefully controlled, accentuating rather than dominating the body surfaces.
Inside, the cabin reflects early 1960s Italian craftsmanship. A broad dashboard houses a row of circular instruments arranged clearly in front of the driver. Leather upholstery, polished trim, and supportive seating reinforce the car’s dual identity as both performance machine and luxury tourer. The overall atmosphere is formal yet purposeful, aligning with the expectations of a high-end European GT.
Historical Significance:
The Maserati 3500 GT was introduced in 1957 as the company’s first true series-production road car. Until then, Maserati had relied primarily on racing activities and limited road-going models. Financial instability during the late 1950s made it clear that sustainable production required a commercially viable grand tourer.
The 3500 GT provided that foundation. It became Maserati’s first model to be produced in substantial numbers, with total production reaching over 2,200 units across all variants. The introduction of fuel injection in 1960, creating the 3500 GTI, demonstrated Maserati’s commitment to technical development and modernization. By 1964, the model had reached its most refined form, incorporating incremental improvements in braking, transmission, and detail execution.
The success of the 3500 GTI enabled Maserati to expand its road car portfolio, leading to successors such as the Sebring and the Mistral. As production ended in 1964, the 3500 GTI Coupé closed a crucial chapter in Maserati’s transformation from a racing-focused company into a recognized grand touring manufacturer.
Quirks and Pop Culture:
While the Maserati 3500 GTI Coupé did not achieve the cinematic fame of some later Italian exotics, it became closely associated with the international elite of the early 1960s. Its understated design appealed to buyers seeking performance and exclusivity without excessive flamboyance.
Collectors often distinguish carefully between early carbureted 3500 GT models and later fuel-injected GTI versions. The presence of Lucas mechanical injection is one of the defining technical features of post-1960 cars. As one of the earliest Italian production cars to adopt fuel injection as standard, the 3500 GTI occupies a noteworthy place in the broader history of performance engine development.
Display and preservation:
The vehicle was exhibited at the Retro Classics Stuttgart in 2022. This car show is one of the major events on the classic car calendar in Germany. In 2022, it took place across five exhibition halls. Visitors can enjoy special showcases, hunt for rare parts and books, and buy cars—both private sellers and dealers offer a wide range of classic and youngtimer vehicles. In 2022, there was a noticeable increase in low-mileage youngtimers and classic cars.
Conclusion:
The 1964 Maserati 3500 GTI Coupé represents the culmination of Maserati’s first successful series-production grand tourer. With its 3.5-liter fuel-injected inline-six engine, tubular chassis, five-speed ZF gearbox, and four-wheel disc brakes, it combined racing-derived engineering with long-distance refinement. Styled by Carrozzeria Touring using Superleggera construction, it offered elegance without excess. As the final evolution of the 3500 series, the 1964 GTI stands as a pivotal model in Maserati’s road car history and a defining example of early 1960s Italian grand touring design.
