Photos -- 5000 GT

Text and Photos by Francis G. Mandarano or courtesy of the MIE Collection.

The first V-8 GT car to be offered by Maserati was developed in the early part of 1959 and was shown at the Turin Auto Show of that year. The body was by Touring of Milan and was developed on commission for the Shah of Iran, and ever since has been referred to as the Shah's 500 GT. These cars were built on special order only, with all 32 cars being pre-sold prior to production. They sold for approximately $15-17,000 from 1959 to 1964; this was approximately five times what a Corvette was selling for during the same period, and roughly double the price of its little brother, the 3500 GT.

They were monsters in all respects. The first two cars were equipped with no less than the actual 450S racing engines left over from the racing program that had been killed after the Caracas fiasco. Subsequent 5000 GTs were fitted with an all-new, four-overhead cam, chain driven V-8 that would later be de-tuned for use in all V-8-equipped Maseratis. Fitted with Lucas fuel injection, dual distributors, and twin plugs per cylinder, it could produce 340-350 HP at 6,000 rpm. Capable to well over 150 mph, these cars had tremendous brute straight line performance. However, on the several occasions I've test driven the 5000, I found the suspension to be inadequate, with an unacceptable amount of sway, and not as well balanced as the in-line six-cylinder cars. The steering is very heavy, but the sound this monster produces is true music to an enthusiast's ears.

"Collectible" is an understatement for the 5000 GT. Of the 32 5000 GTs produced, 16 of them were bodied by Allemano, the balance being built by various coach builders including Pininfarina, Monterosa, Michelotti, Ghia, Frua, Touring and one Bertone car that was actually penned by Giugiaro while he worked there. Luxurious for sure, each car was hand-fitted in Connolly leather to its owner's taste and, because they were all built to special order, no two cars are alike, each one custom-crafted in its own special way. When purchasing, be sure to get a completely original car. It's better to spend a little more money up front to get the very nicest example you can find, as restoration costs run twice what a normal 3500 GT would require. Parts availability is extremely limited, therefore, anything missing would almost certainly have to be reproduced by hand.

5000 GT AM103.030 Allemano Coupe. An absolutely fantastic car to drive.
	1962 Maserati 5000 GT Allemano Coupe. Photographed on the lawn at Pebble Beach.
	The Touring-bodied 5000 GT #AM103.004, one of a handful built with this coachwork, commonly referred to as the Shah of Persia, named for the first car (#002) that was commissioned by the Shah of Persia. Brener Collection.
	The beautifully proportioned 5000 GT #103.060 custom built for the Aga Khan by Frua. Brener Collection.