1959 Maserati Vignale spyder prototype

1959 Maserati Vignale spyder prototype
VIN: AM101.504
Engine: AM101.504
Background
Maserati was established in 1914 and for over 40 years it dedicated itself to creating
world class race cars. Road cars, which were based on the race cars, were also produced
in small numbers as a way to generate cash.
In the mid-1950’s Maserati decided to step put of racing and instead focus on road cars.
In 1957 Maserati introduced the first model designed exclusively for road use. With a
new frame, new inline 6 cylinder engine and a 2+2 coupe body by Carrozzeria Touring
the 3500GT coupe was an instant success. Maserati was also interested in introducing a
spyder (convertible) version but did not have the capacity to release both models at the
same time.
Carrozzeria Frua created a spyder concept car in 1957 and Touring created up to three
spyders which looked essentially like the coupe but without its top. The Frua and Touring
concept cars were displayed but neither created the interest that Maserati wanted and
were not put into production.
By 1959 Maserati was ready to introduce the spyder version of the 3500GT. According to
factory historian Ermanno Cozza, Maserati wanted a new fresh look and they felt car
designer Giovanni Michelotti, who was with Vignale at the time, could deliver it.
Michelotti did several design sketches, one which stood apart as it had a very interesting
asymmetric hood design and aggressive looks. This design was selected for the first
prototype to be built, car #504. Maserati, always with limited cash funds, contacted a
former customer and the car was pre-sold before being completed.
Copy of Michelotti’s original sketch dated May 1959. Notice the unique asymmetric hood
design, which was only used on car #504
As the car was built it went through testing and design changes. I have a photo which
shows the car fully assembled but with steel wheels, different headlights, a chrome trim
across the hood and a different treatment behind the seats. On the wheel is Ing Alfieri,
who was the chief Maserati engineer at that time. What is amazing is that the car was in
bare metal and you can clearly see where steel, allow and lead were used. Not even a
light coat of primer had been applied while the car was being tested. The fact that this car
survived without rusting is truly a miracle. Copyright restrictions do not permit me to
include the photograph in this document but a hard printed copy comes with the extensive
documentation I have collected.
Two additional cars, #505 and #678, were later built and used to announce the new model
at the 1959 Turin auto show. Meanwhile this car was shipped to its first owner, Joe
Lubin, from Los Angeles, California in October 1959.
A fourth, and possibly a fifth, car was created and then production was paused while the
exterior and interior design of the Vignale spyder was modified, creating the final design
for the model.
Vignale spyder #504 is the only car that was built with the unique asymmetric hood
design. The hood bulge visually extends through the windshield glass and follows the
contour of the instrument panel. To accomplish this unique design the windshield glass
had to visually disappear under the hood and not have a chrome trim across the bottom.
This also permitted the wipers to be concealed under the hood, something rather
advanced for a car built in 1959. Why the asymmetric hood designed was dropped after
only one car is unknown but I suspect the building complexity of the design made it
impractical for a production vehicle. This car is the only of the four pre-productions
spyders that still retains many of its original components.
The research
When restoring a unique car it is important to try to find out as much as possible about its
history. During a trip to Modena in 2010 I had the honor of meeting with Maserati
factory historians, Ermanno Cozza and Fabio Collina. They provided a lot of useful
information, both technical and of its early ownership. This included letters between the
factory and the first owner, plus copies of the actual technical sheets for this car which
specifies many details. Also of assistance was Adolfo Orsi, who currently owns Vignale
spyder #678, one of the two cars built after this one.
Ownership history
The first owner was Joe Lubin of Los Angeles, California. He was a prior Maserati
customer having bought a 450S birdcage race car, amongst other Maserati cars. Mr.
Lubin only kept the car one year and traded it with a Cadillac dealer who then sold it to
Don Cooper, also of Los Angeles. In the early 1970’s it was owned by a service man
stationed at Fort Mogul and later purchased by Ed Good of Ventura, California. Mr.
Good put the car into storage in the late 1970’s in a garage at his house. The car was
stored for over 30 years until his death in 2008. I acquired the car from Mr. Good’s
family.
Don Cooper in front of his Los Angeles house- December 1960
The restoration
The car had always been in the Los Angeles area since new and barely had any rust.
Approximately 80% of the paint was still the original and the interior was untouched.
Overall the car was in remarkable original condition but its condition was rather
neglected. The paint was too gone to be salvaged, the chrome was worn, portions of the
interior were good but other portions were badly worn. The best thing was the car had
never been taken apart, repaired or involved in an accident. It was an ideal candidate for
an accurate restoration as there would be no guessing as to what was original.
Condition the car was found
Very interesting seat design
I decided to restore the car but retain as many original parts as possible. The car was
completely taken apart and small parts catalogued, photographed and placed in individual
bags. Parts were restored to their original condition and reused. The engine was
completely rebuilt with new liners, pistons, valves, chains, etc. Similarly the suspension
received new bushings and brakes rebuilt. Hundreds of photos were taken during the
restoration and will be provided on a DVD.
During the restoration it was confirmed that this was indeed the first 3500GT Vignale
spyder made as the trim pieces are stamped with either “M1” or “1M” instead of the
usual body number. Being a prototype no body number was assigned.
Maserati #1
In bare metal
New liners and pistons
The interior was rather challenging since there were parts that could be salvaged and
some would need to be replaced. I was insistent on salvaging as much as possible
therefore new carpeting and leather was used that matched closely to leather and
carpeting that was 50 years old. Rebuilding the seats was especially challenging due to
their unique design. As the interior came back together I was pleased that the old and new
complimented each other. The trunk was left all original as it had a wonderful patina,
plus it still had the tools and owner’s manual.
Seats are unique and rather difficult to restore. The seat backs were left original.
Door panels and much of the carpeting are still the originals
Original trunk material, tools and manual
Awards
The car was completed in January 2012 after a 3 years restoration. It was shown at the
2012 Amelia Island Concours D’Elegance where it won an award. The car was also
invited to the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours but did not participate as it was still under
restoration.
This would be a perfect candidate to take to the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance
or Villa D’Este as Maserati will be celebrating its 100th year.
2012 Amelia Island Concours D’Elegance