Tell me something about the Maserati 3500GT and Sebring | FerrariChat

Tell me something about the Maserati 3500GT and Sebring

Discussion in 'Maserati' started by Zanny1, Sep 19, 2025 at 9:49 AM.

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  1. Zanny1

    Zanny1 Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 19, 2003
    1,161
    Arizona
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Having owned 11 Ferraris over the years, and the current owner of a 1971 365 GTC/4, I have always found the 3500/Sebring series to be beautiful cars.
    Having never driven one, and understanding the bodywork construction, lack of parts, etc I would appreciate some candid comments from owners here on Fchat. Seems like prices are down on these cars, from beaters to supposed really nice cars. I don't look forward to traveling through the country to look at one (particularly Astoria. NY), and hope maybe to locate one in the southwest.
    I did speak to GW 4 years ago about the 3500 GTi located in Fresno, California (it's still on ebay). They claimed it ran and drove OK. I then spoke to the "caretaker" in Fresno, who stated the car did not run and drive, had fuel delivery problems and stuck brakes. Hardly worth a trip there from Phoenix, AZ to view a cosmetically decent car that didn't run.
    Any comments are welcome. I am not a novice with Ferrari and just haven't owned or driven this Maserati series of cars.
    Thank you in advance.
     
  2. redfred84

    redfred84 Formula Junior

    Dec 24, 2010
    746
    SF Bay Area, USA
    Hi Zanny 1,
    My '61 3500 GT was my first foreign car; I was into '50s style Hot Rods & customs and especially flat head V8s my whole life before this, although I am way too young to have been with them in their Day. (I was born in the last week of '59). Being a red-blooded American, I never even paid attention to anything ferrin, until I saw my 3500 GT in an apartment building driveway. It appeared abandoned, as patina had completely taken this gem over. I thought it was gorgeous, so I left notes on it for 10 years!!!!!!!!! Then one day the car disapeared, and my little dream bubble of owing a Maserati popped. But 5 after, the owner called me out of the blue! I managed to score the car, but knew NOTHING about it. To me, the valves were upside down!
    After all the usual re-conditoning of a car that sat outside for some 30 years, I managed to get it going. I was afraid of the triple Webers (they were in trunk), so I farmed them out to Pierce Manifold. Now I'm not so scared of them. The dual ignition was perplexing, but I simply became the guenae pig for Pertronix to convert the distributor. I was proud of myself for diagnosing timing chain slap (remember, I'm a flat head guy), so I dove into changing the chain of DOHC. It wasn't that bad actually. I find the timing chain on my Jag XK 120 much more difficult.
    All in all, the 3500 GT is a comfortable car that is actually not too sufficticated. Brake & suspension parts are sourced from Jaguar suppliers. The most complicated item is the ZF transmission. I've heard of nightmares with the old Lucas fuel injection units. There are 2 types. But I understand that they have overcome any of the old issues with modern technology now.
    My Maser opened the door to other ferrin cars now; Jag, Ferrari, Bentley, and even Fiat 124 Spiders! The 3500 is comfortable and easy to work on, and most of the vintage Maser guys are genuine enthusiasts who do most of their own work.
     
    3500 GT likes this.

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