3500 101.686 Restoration Log

The engine bay of 686 "The Latina" is now complete with the correct matching coils.
The well preserved trunk showing the original trunk lining and original spare wheel.
FGM
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After carefully considering all my options, I have decided to offer the "Latina" for sale at the Gooding Auction in Scottsdale this coming Jan.

The Gooding photographer came over to Palm Desert yesterday and we when up into the hills and did a photo shoot. Here are some of the shots taken for their upcoming catalog and promotional pieces. The idea was to cast the car in the environment of her roots, Mexico.
i feel these shots have done just that in a very pleasing way.

686 turned out fantastic! The transmission which was rebuilt in Modena shifts up and down like butter and the car after 150 test miles sits on white paper, in my garage with zero oil leaks.

It was a tough decision but with the three remaining 3500's in my collection I consider myself very fortunate.
I have now turned my attention to 101.916 which as mentioned in the 916 restoration log will be getting a new set of Borrani wire wheels.
FGM
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The photos and information have now been uploaded to the Gooding web site catalog.

1959 Maserati 3500 GT | Gooding & Company

I will be in Scottsdale from Tue the 13th of Jan through sunday the 18th.
Please feel free to call or text me if you are going to be there and want to meet up.
Ciao,
FGM

 

Here are some results by Gooding of previous 3500GT sales, over the last 3 years.
This also includes some other Maseratis.

3500 gt Gooding & Company
FGM

 

AM101.686 is now on display at the Gooding Aution in Scottsdale AZ.
The car will go through on Friday (tomorrow) the 16th.
You will be able to watch it being sold - or not - by going to the following link between 1:30 and 2:30 in the afternoon Mountain time.
It is lot 44. The A6G54 Allemano is lot 40 so you should be able to see both cars go off around that time.
They also have a very nice red Bora that will be auctioned off.

Please see the following link: The Scottsdale Auctions | Gooding & Company
Photos and updates later.
Ciao,
FGM

 

For your information the late 3500GTi sold at Bonhams for a hammer price of $260,000 + 10% buyer commission for a total of $286,000.
This was a very nice car that has a couple owners in the last year or so.
Blue with red leather converted to webers with no wire wheels.
Well bought by the bidder.
A red Bora in rough condition made $120,000 + buyers commission.
Ciao,
FGM

 

The car bid up to $286,000 including buyers premium which did not meet my reserve.
About two hours later I was contacted by the auction company who said they had put together a deal, which I accepted.
At this point I am very happy with the process and the results.
Ciao,
FGM

 

Status of my 3500GT
I know some of you have been following with interest the sale of my car so I wanted to bring you up to speed on what happened and where its sets today.

As you know the car went to Gooding in Scottsdale where it was accepted with very favorable terms for the seller (me).
It bid up to $260,000 +10% = $286,000. My reserve was much higher (over $300K) so it was a no sale.
The Injected car – converted to webers - at Bonhams bid up to and sold at $260,00 + 10% = $286,000 so perhaps that set a bar, who knows? I should add that a late injected car will normally bring 10 to 15% less than an early roll up window car such as mine in comparable condition.

After the no sale my contact at Gooding informed me that they had a buyer who was willing to pay a price acceptable to me and to Gooding. We will call him buyer #1.
When I arrived at the Gooding office on Sat AM I was informed that buyer #1 had flinched, but according to Gooding was still interested and that they were trying to close the deal. Buyer #1 was a long established client of Gooding.

Then buyer #2 appeared on the scene, a very well known collector whom I have known for over 30 years. He owns a couple very high dollar race cars. He expressed a very strong interest. Buyer #2 and I drove the car on Sunday morning with favorable results, in fact it was so much fun we just kept driving. He told me he would like to pursue the sale.
Then Gooding phoned me with buyer #3 who has expressed interest.
As you know these things can be very fluid and sometimes take a while to close, and one needs to be patient and of course I am "not" a motivated seller.

So on Sunday I brought the car back to Palm Desert and will continue the marketing process.

I must admit that throughout the complete process the folks at Gooding, including sales folks, office staff, photographers, title specialist and David himself were at all times very professional and very easy to deal with. I can highly recommend Gooding as an auction company you would want to deal with.
On a final note, I signed a 12 page Gooding agreement that I am sure covered every known contingency including non disclosure. I read every paragraph carefully and made notes off to the side. The agreement as you would expect gave Gooding the upper hand and a giant sword in all cases, but at the end of the day you are dealing with one man, David Gooding, a man whom I believe is gifted with great integrity. So I just signed and initialed in all the spaces, and have no regrets.

Trades accepted, bad credit, no credit ok, easy terms.
What do I need to do to put you into this fine motorcar “TODAY”

FGM

 

A few days ago the "Latina" was loaded up into a 20ft container and shipped off to Europe.

The new owner is a great guy who flew over with his mechanic to inspect and drive the car.
He has a nice collection of over 10 Maserati GT cars, so the "Latina" will fit nicely into the line up.
Of course the "Latina" performed flawlessly during the test drives shifting up and down like butter and sounding very powerful as her tach needle swept passed the 4,600 mark.
I am very pleased with the sale which included a first right of refusal to buy the car back.
Here are a few photos.
Note the blue tape showing where the chassis number is located and the the battery switch positions.
It is important to load the car in backwards so the hood can be easily opened in case the customs guys want to inspect the vin. Drain 98% of the fuel and request below deck placement.
Ciao,
FGM
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Here are the last photos of the car.
Load the car onto a flat bed truck, back it up to the container and strap it down.
Arrivederci Latina
This blog is closed
Ciao
FGM
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