#450s

Maserati 5000 GT Frua  

Each of the 34 examples of the Maserati 5000 GT is a storybook in its own right. The first of these exotic beasts was commissioned by the Shah of Persia (now Iran), who pined for a 450S (nine made, terminated when Maserati left racing). The road-going 3500 GT was too common to satisfy his highness but held promise if properly modified. The Shah paid Maserati to strengthen the chassis and suspension of a 3500 to accept a 4.9 liter V8 derived from the 450S. The body was built by Carrozzeria Touring, the car was painted dark blue, and the final result was shipped to the Shah. A second car was sent to South African millionaire Basil Read. Once the Shah purchased his car, other royals clamored for their own copies. Maserati increased the 5000’s engine displacement slightly, added fuel injection, and upgraded to a five-speed ZF transmission, sending several more cars to various coachbuilders (eight in all) at the behest of their celebrity buyers. These included Karim Aga Khan, Briggs Cunningham, and Gianni Agnelli. Here at Kidston is the first of three Frua-bodied Maserati 5000 GTs, a 1962 example. Initially painted gold, and swanned around to shows in Geneva, Paris, and Italy by the factory, it was finally repainted a deep metallic red in 1963, assigned a fresh chassis number, and sold as a new car.

We now would like to show you a series of rare photographs of the first 1957 appearance of the Maserati 450S which was at the Buenos Aires 1000km race which took place on January 20, 1957. The Buemos Aires street circuit was called the Circuit de la Costanera Norte. The Maserati 450S was described as “The Bazooka” by Juan Manuel Fangio due to its very powerful 4.5 liter V8 motor. The 450S would…