Want to begin 3500 GT Mechanical Restoration - Need Suggestions | FerrariChat

Want to begin 3500 GT Mechanical Restoration - Need Suggestions

Discussion in 'Maserati' started by 3500GT@Detroit, Oct 28, 2022.

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  1. 3500GT@Detroit

    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 28, 2022
    7
    Detroit, MI
    Full Name:
    Sean Foley
    I just pulled this 1961 3500 GT from my fathers garage, where it had been sitting for 45 plus years. From the original paperwork and from him, he purchased it in 1970 from the original owner in Italy and had it shipped over. I am now 52 and remember riding in the car when I was very young.

    As the story goes, she developed "an electrical problem" and he parked it in the garage around 1975 and there she sat until a month ago. The car is 100% original and complete aside from the missing front bumper.

    I would like to start a mechanical restoration that would also include rewiring the entire car. Aside from the paint peeling off the body, there are no dents, scratches etc. So I would prefer to deal with that at a later date. The interior is in a great shape, (except for the carpet which would need to be replaced) I feel the leather can be clean/conditioned and brought back to life. I would have the underlying seat foam etc. replaced.

    I live in Detroit, MI and am wondering if anyone has any contacts for such a mechanical restoration project, ideally within a few hundred miles of Detroit?

    Thanks in advance for any contacts/advice!

    Sean
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  2. Nembo1777

    Nembo1777 F1 World Champ
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    Nov 4, 2006
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    Marc Sonnery
    Great story, best of luck. You will find plenty of expertise here.
     
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  3. thecarnut

    thecarnut F1 Rookie
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    Apr 22, 2006
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    The Car Nut
    This looks like a great project!

    I've contacted a friend that use to live in the Detroit area, perhaps he knows someone.

    Ivan
     
  4. red27

    red27 Formula Junior

    Sep 7, 2010
    833
    London UK
    Full Name:
    Mark Oliver
    What a super story Sean. I feel you have come to the right place for advice. There are an awful lot of very knowledgeable and helpful people frequenting this forum.

    if you haven’t already, put ‘3500 restoration’
    Into the search field on fchat. It will bring up some inspiration and useful background for you.

    welcome and all the very best.
    Mark
     
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  5. red27

    red27 Formula Junior

    Sep 7, 2010
    833
    London UK
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    Mark Oliver
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  6. 3500GT@Detroit

    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 28, 2022
    7
    Detroit, MI
    Full Name:
    Sean Foley
  7. thecarnut

    thecarnut F1 Rookie
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    Apr 22, 2006
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    Full Name:
    The Car Nut
    Sean,

    PM sent

    Ivan
     
  8. PG1964

    PG1964 Formula Junior

    Nov 2, 2010
    484
    Torino, Italy
    The leather seems to me in great condition. It needs just a cleaning and a greasing on the reverse side.
     
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  9. NeuroBeaker

    NeuroBeaker Advising Moderator
    Moderator

    Oct 1, 2008
    38,827
    Huntsville, AL., USA
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    This thread has a really promising start. I hope you keep it updated with the continuing restoration. :)

    All the best,
    Andrew.
     
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  10. 3500GT@Detroit

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    Sep 28, 2022
    7
    Detroit, MI
    Full Name:
    Sean Foley
    Decided to go with the fine folks at European Auto Restoration in Fennville, MI. They are going to start on her in the Spring. I will post photos as things progress!
     

    Attached Files:

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  11. wbaeumer

    wbaeumer F1 Veteran
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    Mar 4, 2005
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    Sean,
    what is the VIN of your car?
     
  12. 3500GT@Detroit

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    Sep 28, 2022
    7
    Detroit, MI
    Full Name:
    Sean Foley
    101.1492
     
  13. wbaeumer

    wbaeumer F1 Veteran
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    Mar 4, 2005
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    Many thanks. On one of the photos I see from a side angle a part of the Italian registration of the car. Can you show me a more clear photo of this registraion? Many thanks in advance.
     
  14. 3500GT@Detroit

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    Sep 28, 2022
    7
    Detroit, MI
    Full Name:
    Sean Foley
    See attached pic. My father purchased the vehicle from the second owner in 1970 who resided in Italy (or maybe it was France) at the time. Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
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  15. wbaeumer

    wbaeumer F1 Veteran
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    Mar 4, 2005
    8,828
    Many thanks.
     
  16. 3500GT@Detroit

    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 28, 2022
    7
    Detroit, MI
    Full Name:
    Sean Foley
    Do you know this car?
     
  17. wbaeumer

    wbaeumer F1 Veteran
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    Mar 4, 2005
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    I had very little in my records about it. But with the Italian registration I could find out more - if its not a fake-registration...
     
  18. 3500GT@Detroit

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    Sep 28, 2022
    7
    Detroit, MI
    Full Name:
    Sean Foley
    I don't believe it is a fake registration. From what I know from the paperwork my father had was that he purchased the car from the second owner by the name of Arnaldo Cappa. Mr. Cappa purchased the car from the factory where it had been turned/traded in by the first owner. Fabio at Maserati Classiche confirmed that this car was indeed turned/traded in and sold from the factory to the second owner mentioned above. I would be interested if you are able to turn up more. There are some unique modifications that were made to this car early on before my father acquired in in 1970. For example the removal of the passenger grab bar, reposition of cigarette lighter, addition of what appears to be vent in dash above cigarette lighter, and having no driving lights. In their place are air ducts. One feeds the carburetor air intake cover, almost like a ram air system. The other duct feed heater box. The attached pics may help clarify.

    I am sure this car has a story to tell, hopefully I start piecing
    it together! If you come across something please let me know!

    Thank you! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
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  19. redfred84

    redfred84 Formula Junior

    Dec 24, 2010
    585
    SF Bay Area, USA
    Very interesting! If only these cars could talk! Thanks for keeping us all posted on it's progress!
    RF.
     
  20. wbaeumer

    wbaeumer F1 Veteran
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    Mar 4, 2005
    8,828
    Lets see what I can do....
     
  21. wbaeumer

    wbaeumer F1 Veteran
    Consultant

    Mar 4, 2005
    8,828
    So, I got news regarding the Italien registration on your car!

    It is not valid to your car, #1492 but to a much later car, #23**

    No idea how it came on your car but perhaps it was taken on yur car prior to exportation to the USA, to avoid any Italian taxes for the seller....
     

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