Maserati 5000 GT
Maserati 5000 GT "Scia di Persia"
Overview
ManufacturerMaserati
Production1959–1966
34 units[1]
AssemblyItaly: Modena[2]
DesignerAldo Brovarone at Pininfarina
Body and chassis
ClassGrand tourer (S)
Body style2-door coupé
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel-drive
RelatedMaserati 3500 GT
Powertrain
Engine
  • 4.9 L (4,937 cc) V8
  • 4.9 L (4,940 cc) V8 (1960 onwards)
Transmission
  • 4-speed ZF manual
  • 5-speed ZF manual (1960 onwards)
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,600 mm (102.4 in)
Curb weight1,652 kg (3,642 lb) (dry)[1]
Chronology
SuccessorMaserati Ghibli (AM115)

The Maserati 5000 GT is a 2-door coupé car, made by Italian automobile manufacturer Maserati from 1959–1966. A total of thirty-four were produced with bodies made by eight different Italian coach builders.[3]

The first car in the Tipo 103 series was the Shah of Persia, delivered to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who had been impressed by the Maserati 3500 after a test drive but demanded a more exclusive car for himself. He commissioned Maserati's chief engineer Giulio Alfieri to fit a slightly modified 5-litre engine from the Maserati 450S in the 3500GT's chassis. Carrozzeria Touring developed the superleggera tubing and aluminium body of the two-seater coupé. The second car, also a Shah of Persia by Touring, was displayed at the 1959 Salone dell'automobile di Torino.[4]

In 2018, Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera announced the creation of a homage to the 5000 GT with a Maserati GranTurismo-based Sciàdipersia. A total of 25 cars were made (coupé and cabriolet combined).[5]

History

In an attempt to revive sales, Omar Orsi, the son of then Maserati owner Adolfo Orsi, mailed sales brochures of the 3500 GT and the 450S to prospective wealthy buyers. One brochure was also mailed to the Shah of Iran who scheduled a meeting with Maserati management in late 1958. After taking a test drive in a 3500 GT, the Shah requested Giulio Alfieri to make a road car combining the usability of the 3500 GT with the power of the 450S and offered to fund the development and build costs. The engine received little modifications for road usage, those being an increased displacement of 4,937 cc and a reduced compression ratio of 8.5:1. The chassis of the 3500 GT was strengthened to better handle the power of the new V8 engine but some components from the 3500 GT remained; the independent live axles and the braking system were carried over.

Initially, Bertone was chosen as the coach builder for the body but Carrozzeria Touring was ultimately chosen at the behest of Orsi. The coach builder was given instructions to make the car look distinct from the 3500 GT it was based on. Chief designer Carlo Anderloni used the Persian Baroque architecture as inspiration for the unique grille design and the interior design. The finished car was immediately shipped to the Shah of Iran with little to no exposure to the public. A second car was built to be displayed at the 1959 Turin Motor show which was bought by South African millionaire and Kyalami track owner Basil Read.

In 1960, the engine was modified following increase in demand: the displacement increased to 4,940 cc (301 cu in) with a longer stroke and a smaller bore, with fuel injection and triple-strand chains added. The new engine developed 340 hp (250 kW). The fuel injected 5000 GT was shown at the 1960 Salone di Torino. A new 5-speed ZF transaxle was added with an overdrive gear to better cope with the modifications and ventilated disc brakes were added all around.[6][7][8][9]

Specifications

Specifications for the first 5000 GT were:

  • Maserati 450S-derived four OHC 4,937 cc (301 cu in) V8, 325 hp (242 kW) at 5,500 rpm
  • Lucas mechanical injection or four 45 DCOE Weber carburettors and dual fuel pump
  • mechanical Magneti-Marelli ignition, dual spark plug
  • 4-speed manual transmission ZF (later 5-speed)
  • Front discs, rear drums (later all discs)

Coachbuilders

After the first body by Touring, the main body partner since 1960 became Carrozzeria Allemano which did 22 of the cars, designed by Giovanni Michelotti. Other builders were Pietro Frua (3), Carrozzeria Monterosa (2), Pininfarina (1), Ghia (Sergio Sartorelli) (1), Giovanni Michelotti (1), Bertone (Giorgetto Giugiaro) (1) and Carrozzeria Touring (2 more).

In 1961, Bertone built a one-off 5000 GT that featured a body designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The car had a Tipo 104 chassis and a different engine than the standard 5000 GT.[10]

Buyers

The 5000 GT was sold at prices around US$17,000 (twice the cost of a Maserati 3500), and in many respects individualized to the desires of its celebrity buyers, including Karim Aga Khan,[11] Italian industrialist Gianni Agnelli, American sportsman Briggs Cunningham, actor Stewart Granger, Italian businessman Ferdinando Innocenti (Ghia-bodied 5000 GT), South African construction magnate Basil Read, Swiss entrepreneur Otto Nef, count Giuseppe Comola, American Musician Joe Walsh, and Mexican president Adolfo López Mateos.[2]

Further reading

  • Maurice Khawam, Maserati 5000 GT - A Significant Automobile. ISBN 978-0-9715215-5-1.
  • Maurizio Tabucchi, Nel segno del Tridente. ISBN 978-88-7911-259-8.

References

  1. 1 2 "Maserati 5000 GT". maserati.com. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Maserati celebrates the 60th anniversary of the launch of the 5000 GT 2+2 coupé at the Turin Motor Show". Maserati. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  3. ↑ "1962 Maserati 5000 GT by Allemano". RM Sotheby's. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  4. ↑ Nebiolo, Gino (1 November 1959). "Colori e linee gentili delle auto richiamano signore e profani". La Stampa (in Italian). p. 5. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  5. ↑ Vijayenthiran, Viknesh. "Coachbuilder presents Maserati-based Sciadipersia Cabriolet at Villa d'Este". Motor Authority. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  6. ↑ Bernabò, Ferruccio (10 March 1960). "Il Salone di Ginevra quest'anno batte per ampiezza tutti i primati". Stampa Sera (in Italian). p. 9. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  7. ↑ "Command performance: the story of the Maserati 5000GT | Classic & Sports Car". classicandsportscar.com. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  8. ↑ "FEATURE – 1961 Maserati 5000 GT Ghia". Just Cars. 2019-12-18. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  9. ↑ "Bonhams : One of 34 5000GT produced,1962 Maserati 5000GT Coupe Chassis no. 103.046 Engine no. 046". www.bonhams.com. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  10. ↑ "1961 Maserati 5000 GT Coupe (Bertone)". Car Styling.ru. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  11. ↑ "L'Aga Khan compra auto a Modena". La Stampa (in Italian). 24 June 1960. p. 5. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
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