1959 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder (Vignale prototype)
- Engine
- 3.5L DOHC inline-six, triple Weber 42 DCOE carburetors, 220 bhp
- Colour
- Metallic red over tan
Chassis AM101 505 is one of the earliest Maserati 3500 GT Vignale Spyder prototypes, completed in October 1959 and displayed at the Turin Motor Show that year on the Maserati stand. Built on a slightly shorter wheelbase than the coupe, it features distinctive angular trim details shared only with the other prototypes. After delivery to its first American owner in Florida, it passed through several U.S. hands before returning to Italy for a full restoration, and later joined a prominent private American collection.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$1,500,000 – US$2,000,000
- 1959 → 1965Factory deliveryFranky Wattspartial documentation
First retail owner, based in Miami, Florida. Car was sold new following its debut at the Turin Motor Show.
- 1965 → 1968Private saleDesmond D. Bouwlerpartial documentation
Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; kept the car for approximately three years before selling.
- 1968 →Private saleUnknown buyer in Richmond, Virginianone documentation
Identity not recorded; car moved from Florida to Virginia during this ownership.
- 1980 → 1982Acquisition unknownAl Langpartial documentation
New York City-based owner who held the car until 1982.
- 1982 →Private saleJeffrey Vogelpartial documentation
Repatriated the car to Italy and commissioned a full restoration by Carrozzeria Campana in Modena.
- → 2002Acquisition unknownProminent US private collectorpartial documentation
Car became part of a notable American private collection after returning from Italy.
- 2002 →Private saleCurrent custodianpartial documentation
Car has been kept largely in storage since acquisition; still presents in metallic red over tan.
- Date unknownPrivate saleOwner in South Amboy, New Jerseynone documentation
Unnamed owner; car was sold onward relatively quickly to a New York-area owner.
- Date unknownPrivate saleHeinz Mallonpartial documentation
Based in Staten Island, New York; one of several successive owners during the 1970s.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownItalian private ownernone documentation
Believed to have held the car during the late 1980s into the early 1990s before it returned to the United States.
Competition
- 19591959 Turin Motor ShowExhibited at Maserati stand
One of two prototype spyders displayed to introduce the model; the other prototype appeared on the Vignale stand.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationCarrozzeria Campana
Comprehensive restoration carried out in Modena after the car was returned to Italy by Jeffrey Vogel.
Work took place in Modena, likely in the early to mid-1980s based on the ownership timeline.
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