3500GT Barnfind

Judging from the photos of the car on the trailer, I'd say DO NOT paint it. Keep it as is, do a mechanical restoration. The car appears to have a nice patina.

Joe

 

+1

Unless I'm missing something on the other side, the exterior looks amazingly good. I'd just clean it up, do what needs to be done to the interior, and a mechanical restoration and you'll have a very cool looking original car.

 

x 2. Get it up and running, and clean.

 

Keep the car the way it is. I do not think restoring the car would be a good idea it is not in that bad a shape. I judge some major car shows and we love cars like this. There are not many out there that look good that are original.

 

The major trim pieces (bumpers etc.) take to a chrome shop to have them polished, the minor stuff take off the car and get a dremel. Another thing that doesn't do a bad job is a Mother's Power Ball. On the leather try Leatherique, the stuff is amazing. I used it on my Islero (actually all my cars) where a trim piece of leather was so stiff that you could hold it out and the leather wouldn't fold over. Now I can form that same piece of leather into a ball.

Leatherique.com


Joe

 

I would start by just having it cleaned to a high level, I have used Brian Moore on a number of cars and he can do this. If you start replating or having chrome done the car will look odd because it has patina and the trim doesn't . Just keep cleaning it.

I would pull the engine out and detail the engine and engine compartment. Once the engine and tranny are out you can have them worked on anywere.

 

Yes you probably would get more as a restored car than a survivor, but if it cost $2 to restore something and your return is only $1 more than unrestored. It is more profitable not to restore it.


Joe

 

+1 on just cleaning it up and driving it. The car looks fantastic and I am sure the interior can be transformed with leatherique. Fchatters have some fantastic resources at our fingertips so please let us know what you might need.

Good Luck and thanks for posting it!

John

 

+2 on the Leatherique, and yes thanks for posting, love to see these old "original" cars!

 

100% agreed - the cost to restore this to "original" shape would be significant, and the patina is desirable. I'd get the mechanical sorted out and take it from there.

 

It could possibly be a great find for the preservation classes which are becoming so poplular. Original preserved cars are bringing higher dollars at every auction and I have no doubt that due to their rarity they will be *the* cars to have in the future. The car is original *once*, and if you can keep it that way and it still looks presentable and driveable, I highly recommend it.

My '76 308 GTB is 100% original and has every record including the window tag since brand new and I promise you in 20 years it will be the type of original find to have (no matter the model). Over-restored cars are all too common and they undoubtedly bring something beautiful to the table for the marque, but the original history that is available that is within gentle preserving should undoubtedly be kept that way for as long as possible.

 

I agree with the others. Have a skilled detailer do a full detail job on the car, then replace only what needs replaced. Amazing car/project for sure!

 

Please keep the car, do not sell it. It is tooooooo tempting, it is a prime candidate for Joe's Home for Previously Unloved Italian Cars. Love the color combination.

Probably stuff the rat, encase it in plastic and mount it on the hood.


Joe
Islero #6243
Khamsin #1226
Ghibli SS #2110
Mistral #1216
Mondial Cab #49713
Lele Marlboro #184
Laforza #158

 

I think the headers are a charcoal grey, but that's a guess, I am sure there are some 3500 experts that can confirm the exact color. I took my headers to a powder coat shop over in Rocklin CA. and had them coated with a high temp coating. They always looked good after that. When I lived in the Bay area there was a guy in Pleasanton named Gene Gorman he owned many Maserati's and was a wealth of knowledge.


The rat looks preserved well, so I am sure the leather is too!

 

I agree with the above posters. Have the car cleaned and detailed by professionals. After that, you will have a good idea what you are to be working with for sure. Looks like there is some surface rust that I am sure has made its way to the fuse box. Not a big deal cleaning up all the contacts throughout the car and checking resistance.

This is one of those projects that you actually see light at the end of the tunnel when first beginning which is of course a rarity when dealing with these machines.

Can we see what the front seats look like?

thanks and good luck!

 

Regarding the engine, does anyone want to key in on what steps should be taken now to get the process moving on getting it to run again?

I have never worked on an engine that has not been run in many years before, but I would think it would be a good idea to get the thing flushed out somehow before anything else. Marvel Mystery oil in through the plug holes and allow to soak for a while? Cam overs off and clean the mechanical contents underneath throughly?

Would like to hear what is to happen next. Very curious

 

Fun Post!! Love the project and wish it were mine. I am happy to see that you've decided to to PRESERVE this car versus restore it as I agree that will make this car more valuable in the long run anyways. I suggest to clean it up the best that you can on your own (As long as your having fun with it) and then if your like me it still won't be as nice as I expect so then I would take it in to the pro's and give it the final touches. Your total bill should be less since you've already done the rough stuff.

I'd yank the engine, unbolt the bolt-on items for individual inspection and then take it to a engine specialist for professional evaluation. Most guys that have been in the business awhile with a decent rep will be strait with you and just do what needs to be done.

Please keep up the photos as well as the diary of the project as we can all enjoy the process through your efforts.

 

I would get in touch with some Maserati experts and take your time with the engine. Theses engines are very expensive to rebuild and if I recall the tolerances on the rings are very very tight. In addition the steel used on the rings can be brittle and crack if not treated properly. I have heard story's of guys having the rings break after the car sat for under a year. I guess what I am trying to say is proceed with caution before turning the motor over and consult the experts on how to baby it back into working order before you turn the key

 

Congratulation for "finding" this car again after so many years in storage!

The color-combo of #530 is wonderfull, so - please don`t paint it new! Keep the patina of the car as much as you can. I strongly assume#530 has 4 drum-brakes?

Ciao!
Walter