1961 Maserati 3500 GT Frua Coupé
Two Maserati 3500GT chassis were shipped to workshops of Pietro Frua for distinct Coupé Speciale bodywork. The design was very similar to the A6G Allemano Coupe with double headlights and unique details. Later Frua used the design for the Quattroporte series of cars and a unique 5000 GT.
Our feature car is only one of two Frua Coupés and the only surviving example. Chassis AM101.1496 was first delivered in red with light brown Connolly leather interior to Jacques Bordier in Switzerland.
By 1976 the Frua Coupé had made it was stateside. In 2001 John Bookout did extensive research to determine the car’s first chassis number. Not long afterward it was subject to a thorough restoration by Chris Charlton of Oxford, Maine for a debut at the 2011 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.
The car was offered for sale at the the 2012 Scottsdale Auction by Gooding & Co. They achieved a result of $297,000 USD.
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In Detail
| tags | Maserati 3500GT |
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| built at | Italy |
| production | 2 |
| engine | Inline-6 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| valvetrain | DOHC 2 Valves / Cyl |
| fuel feed | 3 Weber 42 DCOE Carburetors |
| displacement | 3485 cc / 212.7 in³ |
| bore | 86 mm / 3.38 in |
| stroke | 100 mm / 3.94 in |
| compression | 8.5:1 |
| power | 164.1 kw / 220 bhp @ 5500 rpm |
| specific output | 63.13 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 152.78 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 344.38 nm / 254.0 ft lbs @ 3500 rpm |
| body / frame | Aluminum Body over Steel Tube Frame |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| wheel type | Steel Discs |
| front tires | Pirelli 6.50×16 |
| rear tires | Pirelli 6.50×16 |
| front brakes | Hydraulic Drums |
| front wheels | F 40.6 x 14.0 cm / 16.0 x 5.5 in |
| rear wheels | R 40.6 x 14.0 cm / 16.0 x 5.5 in |
| steering | Worm & Sector |
| f suspension | Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Girling Shock Absorbers |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Longitudinal Leaf Springs, Girling Shock Absorbers |
| curb weight | 1440 kg / 3175 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2600 mm / 102.4 in |
| front track | 1390 mm / 54.7 in |
| rear track | 1360 mm / 53.5 in |
| length | 4780 mm / 188.2 in |
| width | 1760 mm / 69.3 in |
| height | 1300 mm / 51.2 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | 3.00:1, 1.84:1, 1.30:1, 1.00:1 |
| top speed | ~230.1 kph / 143.0 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~7.6 seconds |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~22.5 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~15.5 seconds |
| fuel capacity | 75 litres or 19.80 gal |
Maserati 3500 GT Coupe Speciale Frua Auction Sales History
1961 Maserati 3500 GT Coupe Speciale Frua AM101.1496 – sold for $660,000 The sole survivor of two cars built in 1961 to this striking Frua design. Formerly owned by John Bookout and Keith Duly. Beautiful show restoration by Duly and Chris Charlton. Original build documentation. A fascinating “baby 5000 GT”. Auction Source: 2014 Monterey by RM Auctions
