1962 Maserati 5000 GT
Few production cars of any period scattered so few examples across so many coachbuilders: eight Italian houses clothed just 34 chassis. Most (22) went to Allemano, whose Michelotti-drawn coupe was the understated choice, while Pinin Farina, Ghia, Bertone and Frua supplied far more individual one-offs.
Beneath the coachwork sat a reinforced 3500 GT frame carrying the four-cam V8 taken from the 450S sports racer. The first three cars (Touring-bodied, starting with the Shah of Iran’s) ran that engine in near-competition tune.
For the production cars, Giulio Alfieri tamed the unit: a slightly larger bore and stroke, Lucas fuel injection replacing the Weber carburetors, and a triple-strand cam chain in place of the noisy gear drive. Four-wheel disc brakes were specified from the chassis up.
At about $15,000, a new 5000 GT cost close to double the price of a 3500 GT, placing it squarely against Ferrari’s Superamerica. Owners included Gianni Agnelli, the Aga Khan and Briggs Cunningham.
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