Lot 164: 1967 Maserati Mistral Coupé

Maserati's survival strategy for the 1960s centred on establishing the company - which hitherto had mainly concentrated on its Grand Prix and sportscar 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 3500GT. A luxury 2+2, the 3500GT drew on Maserati's competition experience, employing a tubular chassis frame and an engine derived from the 350S sportscar 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. Power output of the gorgeous twin-cam six was around 220bhp initially, later examples producing 235bhp.
Built on the short-wheelbase chassis of the Vignale-bodied 3500GT spyder, the Sebring coupé arrived in 1962. A five-speed gearbox, disc brakes and fuel injection were now standard equipment; automatic transmission, air conditioning, and a limited-slip differential were options.
Last of the classic six-cylinder Maseratis, the Pietro Frua-styled Mistral commenced production in 1963. The 3.7-litre version of the Bolognese manufacturer's long-stroke engine was fitted to most cars, other options being the 3.5-litre or, from 1966, the 4.0-litre unit. A handsome two-seater on a shortened, square-tube chassis, the Mistral was built in coupé and spyder versions, the former's opening rear window hatch making it an unusually practical 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 827 coupés and 123 spyders had been built.

This left-hand drive Mistral Coupé was supplied new in Italy, where its first owner was Francesco Filippelli, of Cosenza, and originally registered ‘CS 108 807’. Finished in dark red with black leather interior, the car has the desirable ZF five-speed manual transmission and is offered with German registration papers. We are advised that the engine is in running condition.

Ce coupé Mistral à conduite à gauche a été vendu neuf en Italie à son premier propriétaire, Francesco Filippelli, de Cosenza, fut immatriculé "CS 108 807". Peinte en noir avec intérieur en cuir noir, cette voiture, équipée de l'excellente boîte manuelle ZF à cinq rapports, est vendue avec ses papiers d'immatriculation allemands. Le moteur est en état de fonctionnement.