Maserati 5000 GT

The Shah of Persia, body by Carrozzeria Touring.
Manufacturer	Maserati
Production	1959–1965 32 units
Body style	2-door coupé
Layout	FR layout

Maserati 5000 GT (1959–1965) were thirty-four 2-door coupé automobiles, made by Maserati of Italy.

The first car in the Tipo 103 series, was the Shah of Persia, delivered to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who had been impressed by the Maserati 3500. He commissioned Maserati's chief engineer Giulio Alfieri to utilize a slightly modified 5-litre engine from the Maserati 450S on the 3500GT's chassis. Carrozzeria Touring developed the superleggera tubing and aluminum body of the two-seater coupe. The second car, also by Touring, was displayed at Salone dell'automobile di Torino 1959.

Specifications

Specifications for the 5000 GT were:

• Maserati 450S-derived V8 cylinder, four-OHC, 4937.8 cc,
• Lucas mechanical injection or four 45 DCOE Weber carburetor (325 bhp at 5500 rpm),
• mechanical Magneti-Marelli ignition, dual spark plugs and dual fuel pump
• 4-speed ZF (later 5-speed)
• Front discs, rear drums (later all-discs)

In 1960 the engine got some modifications and received a displacement of 4940cc with a bigger stroke and a smaller bore; in the new configuration engine developed 340 bhp. After three bodies by Touring, the main body partner since 1960 became Carrozzeria Allemano which did 22 of the cars. Other builders were Pietro Frua (3), Carrozzeria Monterosa (2), Pininfarina (1), Ghia (1), Michelotti (1) and Bertone (1). At least one convertible Allemano was made.

Buyers

Body by Carrozzeria Allemano.

The 5000 GT was sold at prices around USD 17000 (twice the cost of a Maserati 3500), and in many respects individualized to the desires of its celebrity buyers, including Aga Khan, Italian industrialist Gianni Agnelli, sportsman Briggs Cunningham, actor Stewart Granger, Ferdinando Innocenti, Basil Read, count Giuseppe Comola, and president Adolfo López Mateos. Over time, some of the cars were added to Alfredo Breners collection, that was auctioned in 2003.

See also

• Maurice Khawam, Maserati 5000 GT - A Significant Automobile. ISBN 978-0971521551.
• Maurizio Tabucchi, Nel segno del Tridente. ISBN 978-8879112598.

Notes