Top 5 Maserati Cars: 3500 GT to Birdcage 75th
We take you on a private journey through Maserati’s history by introducing one model from each decade beginning with the 1960s.
60’s – Maserati 3500 GT (1957-1964)
Up until the introduction of the Maserati 3500 GT, the Italian manufacturer had been rather unsuccessful in the road car market, only producing around a dozen vehicles a year. Using a modified version of the 3.5-liter straight-six engine found in their 350S race car, a beautiful lightweight aluminum “superleggera” body from coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring and brakes and suspension sourced from suppliers in Britain, the 3500 GT 2+2 saw almost 2000 units produced across its eight years of existence.
The 3500 GT was also produced as a Spyder with bodywork by Vignale — desirable examples of the 2-seat convertible grand tourer are now changing hands for over $1 million at auction.
70s – Maserati Bora (1972-1983)
The secure financial backing of French parent company Citroën, which took over Maserati in 1968, allowed the brand more freedom to produce new models, including a mid-engined supercar, the Maserati Bora.
Built around a steel monocoque chassis and rear tubular subframe (like most other supercars of that era), the Bora was the first Maserati to feature independent suspension. Powered by either a 4.7-liter or 4.9-liter V8 producing up to 320hp — both direct evolutions of the engine found in the Maserati 450S race car — the Bora could do 171mph, putting it on roughly equal ground with the Lamborghini Miura.
Citroën’s hydraulics were used to operate the pedal box and driver’s seat, allowing them to be easily adjusted. This was done to make the Bora easier to drive, enter and exit — all major difficulties plaguing exotic cars of the time.
80s – Maserati Kyalami (1976-1983)
Maserati ownership passed hands from Citroën to De Tomaso in 1975. The first model from the new regime was the Maserati Kyalami, a four-seat GT coupe — essentially a restyled De Tomaso Longchamp with a Maserati powerplant. Upon launch the Kyalami featured a 4.2-liter V8 producing 265PS; beginning in 1978 a 4.9-liter V8 was available as an option — the added displacement increasing output to 290PS.
90s – Maserati 3200 GT (1998-2002)
Maserati came under the sole ownership of Fiat in 1993 and continued to sell the Ghibli, Quattroporte IV and Shamal. The 3200 GT was the first new vehicle produced under the ownership of Fiat and its introduction marked the beginning of the modern-Maserati era.
Its elegant grand tourer shape is courtesy of Italdesign, the company whose founder designed the Ghibli, Bora and Merak. A distinct styling element is the rear LED taillights, which are arranged in a “boomerang” shape.
At launch only one powertrain configuration was available, a 3.2-liter twin-turbo V8 with a manual transmission. In 1999, an automatic transmission version was introduced, called the 3200 GT Automatica or 3200 GTA. Engine output remained the same as the manual version at 365hp and 362lb-ft, allowing 0-60 sprints in around 5s.
2000s – Maserati Birdcage 75th (2005)
The Maserati Birdcage 75th was a concept car created in joint by Maserati, Pininfarina and Motorola in celebration of Pininfarina’s 75th anniversary. Its name pays homage to the Maserati Tipo 60s series racing cars, a.k.a. Maserati Birdcages, of the 1960s, who were so named for their elaborate tubular chassis.
Built around the backbone of a Maserati MC12 GT1, including its carbon fiber chassis and Ferrari-derived V12 engine, the Birdcage stands an impossibly low 1 meter high. Its design is dominated by a large central bubble canopy, the front half of which raises to allow access to the cockpit as the Birdcage has no doors.
The transparent perspex used for the canopy also means the front and rear suspension pushrods, as well as the entire engine unit including its carbon intake trumpets are visible — just one of the many detailed touches integrated into the Birdcage by designer Ken Okuyama.
