Maserati 3500 GT Vignale Spyder heads to auction

A 1960 Maserati 3500 GT Vignale Spyder looks set to be the star of Bonhams’ inaugural Italian auction. The car, which is estimated at €600,000-€700,000 will go under the hammer on 28 October at Auto e Moto d’Epoca - Italy’s largest classic motor show.

The 3500GT drew on Maserati’s competition experience, and is one of their sought after 2+2s. Most coupés were the work of the coachbuilder Touring while all but one (a Frua-bodied example) of the much less common spyder version were the work of Carrozzeria Vignale.

Introduced in 1959, Vignale's Maserati 3500GT Spyder was the creation of Giovanni Michelotti, at that time the company's star designer. The Spyder lasted in production until 1964, by which time only 245 cars had been made.

As well as this stunning Maserati, the sale is packed full of Italian marques with examples from Lancia, De Tomaso, Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, and Ferrari going under the hammer.

A 1962 Lancia Flaminia Sport 3C (€400,000-€500,000) is one of fewer than 400 Sport Zagatos made, and features the Milanese house’s renowned ‘double bubble’ roof, designed to eke out extra headroom without compromising its looks.

Another Italian rarity is the 1967 De Tomaso Vallelunga Berlinetta (€200,000-€250,000), one of only 50 made. It was the first car from De Tomaso, and was named after the Italian circuit where the company’s founder, Alejandro de Tomaso, raced during the 1960s.

From Maranello, a 2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta (€310,000-€360,000) and a 1971 Ferrari Dino 246 GT Bertlinetta (€200,000-250,000) will cross the rostrum. A true Ferrari roadster, only 448 of the 550 Barchetta were produced, making them a rare site at auction.

Other highlights include a 1965 OSCA 1600 GT2 (€160,000-€200,000), 1961 Lancia Flaminia Touring Convertible (€160,000-€190,000), 1970 Lancia Fulvia Coupé (€120,000-€160,000), 1963 Abarth Monomille GT (€90,000-€120,000).