1958 Maserati 5000 GT
- Engine
- Tuned 450 S racing-derived V8, large-displacement (approx. 4.9–5.0L), adapted for road use
This Maserati 5000 GT was built at the request of American racing driver Briggs Cunningham, who wanted a road car as close as possible to the Le Mans-proven 450 S racer. Bodied by Michelotti and developed with the aid of wind-tunnel testing at the University of Turin, it was reputedly the most aerodynamic and fastest of the 34 bespoke 5000 GTs produced. Cunningham test-drove the car at Monza before taking delivery and used it to travel between European race venues. The car subsequently passed through Virginia and Europe before reaching Poland, and has been in its current ownership since 2003.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$700,000 – US$850,000
- 1958 →Factory deliveryShah of Iranpartial documentation
Initiated the 5000 GT program by commissioning a road car with a 450 S racing engine; the production run of three initial cars grew to 34 bespoke examples.
- → 1988Acquisition unknownOliver Kuttnerpartial documentation
Based in Virginia; placed the car for sale in 1988 according to Maserati historian Adolfo Orsi's records. The car had reached California by 1968 before passing to Kuttner.
- 1998 → 2003Private saleAlfredo Brenerpartial documentation
Poland-based collector renowned for holding more 5000 GTs than any other single owner; described this example as the fastest of all 5000 GTs at the time of his sale.
- 2003 →Private salePresent ownerspartial documentation
Acquired directly from Brener; current consignors offering the car at auction.
- Date unknownFactory deliveryBriggs Cunninghampartial documentation
Specified a body design referencing the 450 S racer; conducted a personal test at Monza before accepting delivery, then employed the car to travel between European race circuits where his team competed.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownEuropean owner during restorationnone documentation
Unnamed custodian in Europe during the early 1990s under whose tenure a restoration was carried out.
Competition
- —Pre-delivery test at MonzaDriver: Briggs Cunningham
Cunningham personally drove the car at Monza before taking delivery, verifying that performance met his expectations.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
A restoration was carried out in Europe during the early 1990s; the resulting finish has since aged noticeably and would benefit from cosmetic attention.
Interior reported to be in good condition and considered correct. Body finish shows significant patina.
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