Tell me something about the Maserati 3500GT and Sebring

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.

 

Zanny1,

its further worth to note that there are 2 versions of the Sebring:

1. double headlamps with a small notch on top between both glasses and vertical rear headlamps.
Most of these cars came with the 3.5-liter motor.

2. double headlamps but now without the notch and smaller but horizontal rear headlamps.
Most of these cars came with the 3.7- and then the 4.0-liter engine.

There are also more minor small differences between both versions.

Both cars are pure touring cars and so don`t compare them with the V12 in your Ferraris...