The original concept was enticingly simple. It involved fitting a sophisticated race car engine into a luxurious, handcrafted sedan. Seamlessly combining these two worlds was, of course, far from simple. Yet it is exactly what Maserati did in 1947 with the A6 1500 GT Pininfarina and some years later with the 3500GT prototype: “The White Dame”. Such power had never been so beautifully packaged and delivered – opening up all kinds of new, long-distance possibilities.
The prototype of what can be considered the first GranTurismo – i.e. the first Maserati destined for road use and not for racing – was unveiled at the 1947 Geneva Motor Show. It was christened ‘A6’ – A in honour of Alfieri Maserati and 6 denoting its straight-six engine. Its incredible styling was the work of the renowned designer Pininfarina. Featuring a tapered two-seater cabin, three horizontal ventilation inlets on the wings and futuristic hidden headlights, the design and originality were immediately appreciated by the public.
The 3500 GT coupé was launched at the 1957 Geneva Motor Show, it marked the company’s entry into the growing grand tourer market and soon became a favourite of Italy’s celebrities and business leaders. A roadster version followed in 1959 - the stunning 3500 GT Spyder Vignale, designed by Giovanni Michelotti, the leading stylist at the renowned coachbuilders, Vignale. This soft-top Maserati was a masterpiece of proportion and was described in the press as a ‘rolling work of art’.
The late 1960s saw the birth of the supercar and some of the most revolutionary and breath-taking designs ever conceived. Amongst the true greats of this era was the Maserati Ghibli. Named after a Saharan wind, it was considered an automotive portrayal of ‘la dolce vita’. It featured exotic elements such as pop-up headlights, electric windows and magnesium alloy wheels. Plush sports seats, with wide ribs, rounded cushions, and a reclined driving position made this car a truly comfortable grand tourer, whilst a spacious 24 cubic foot boot and large twin fuel tanks enhanced its practicality.
Launched in 1998, the 3200 GT was the first of a new generation of Maseratis produced under Ferrari management. Innovative and visually dramatic, it also had all the power and performance that customers expected of the marque, being capable of an impressive 174 mph and 0-62 mph in 5.1 seconds. In 2001, Maserati launched a special limited edition of the 3200 GT, named Assetto Corsa. Its interior featured perforated Connolly leather seats, sporty drilled aluminium pedals, and 'Assetto Corsa' scripts on the sill kick panels. The complexity of its upholstery was a testament to Italian expertise and fine craftsmanship in leatherwork.
The compact and lightweight 4.7-litre V8 is fitted on all GranTurismo models, develops 460hp, 520Nm or torque and revs to an impressive 7,500 rpms. As well as the legendary sound that could only come from a naturally aspirated, all-Italian V8.
