Maserati 5000 GT

In an attempt to revive sales, Omer Orisi, the son of then Maserati owner Adolf Orisi mailed sales brochures of the 3500 GT and the 450S to prospective wealthy buyers. One brochure was also mailed to the Shah of Iran who scheduled a meeting with Maserati management in late 1958. After taking a test drive in a 3500 GT, the Shah requested Giulio Alfieri to make a road car combining the usability of the 3500 GT with the power of the 450S and offered to fund the development and build costs. The engine received little modifications for road usage, those being an increased displacement of 4,937 cc and a reduced compression ratio of 8.5:1. The chassis of the 3500 GT was strengthened to better handle the power of the new V8 engine but some components from the 3500 GT remained; the independent live axles and the braking system were carried over.

Initially, Bertone was chosen as the coach builder for the body but Carrozzeria Touring was ultimately chosen at the behest of Orisi. The coach builder was given instructions to make the car look distinct from the 3500 GT it was based on. Chief designer Carlo Anderloni used the Persian Baroque architecture as inspiration for the unique grille design and the interior design. The finished car was immediately shipped to the Shah of Iran with little to no exposure to the public. A second car was built to be displayed at the 1959 Turin Motor show which was bought by South African millionaire and Kyalami track owner Basil Read.

In 1960, the engine was modified following increase in demand: the displacement increased to 4,940 cc (301 cu in) with a longer stroke and a smaller bore, with fuel injection and triple-strand chains added. The new engine developed 340 hp (250 kW). The fuel injected 5000 GT was shown at the 1960 Salone di Torino. A new 5-speed ZF transaxle was added with an overdrive gear to better cope with the modifications and ventilated disc brakes were added all around.[6][7][8][9]

Specifications for the first 5000 GT were:

• Maserati 450S-derived four OHC 4,937 cc (301 cu in) V8, 325 hp (242 kW) at 5,500 rpm
• Lucas mechanical injection or four 45 DCOE Weber carburettors and dual fuel pump
• mechanical Magneti-Marelli ignition, dual spark plug
• 4-speed manual transmission ZF (later 5-speed)
• Front discs, rear drums (later all discs)

After the first body by Touring, the main body partner since 1960 became Carrozzeria Allemano which did 22 of the cars, designed by Giovanni Michelotti. Other builders were Pietro Frua (3), Carrozzeria Monterosa (2), Pininfarina (1), Ghia (Sergio Sartorelli) (1), Giovanni Michelotti (1), Bertone (Giorgetto Giugiaro) (1) and Carrozzeria Touring (2 more).

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  The original Shah of Persia, chassis 103.102
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  The one-off 5000 GT Pininfarina made for Gianni Agnelli of Fiat
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  5000 GT Allemano
• 
  5000 GT Allemano

In 1961, Bertone built a one-off 5000 GT that featured a body designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The car had a Tipo 104 chassis and a different engine than the standard 5000 GT.[10]

The 5000 GT was sold at prices around US$17,000 (twice the cost of a Maserati 3500), and in many respects individualized to the desires of its celebrity buyers, including Karim Aga Khan,[11] Italian industrialist Gianni Agnelli, American sportsman Briggs Cunningham, actor Stewart Granger, Italian businessman Ferdinando Innocenti (Ghia-bodied 5000 GT), Basil Read, Swiss entrepreneur Otto Nef, count Giuseppe Comola, American Musician Joe Walsh, and Mexican president Adolfo López Mateos.[2]

• Maurice Khawam, Maserati 5000 GT - A Significant Automobile. ISBN 978-0-9715215-5-1.
• Maurizio Tabucchi, Nel segno del Tridente. ISBN 978-88-7911-259-8.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Maserati 5000 GT.

• maserati-alfieri.co.uk - The 5000GT