Lot details
Registration No: BNF 98B
Chassis No: 101.02151
Mot Expiry: Nov 2013

Previewed at the 1962 Geneva Salon but not launched until the following year, the Maserati 3500GTI Sebring targeted the same clientele as the Aston Martin DB4 and Ferrari 250GT/E. Built on a shortened version of its predecessors' tubular chassis frame complete with independent coil and wishbone front suspension, a leaf-sprung Salisbury back axle and four-wheel disc brakes, the newcomer was styled by Alfredo Vignale. A confident design, its shark nosed visage was complimented by an airy glasshouse, square-cut boot, quad headlamps, subtly flared wheelarches and prominent gills to each front wing. A derivative of the unit that had powered Fangio to his final Driver's World Championship in 1957, the Sebring's fuel-injected 3485cc DOHC straight-six developed some 235bhp and 232lbft of torque. Allied to ZF five-speed manual transmission as standard, it enabled the 2+2-seater to accelerate from 0-60mph in 8.5 seconds and onto 137mph. Introduced in 1965, the Series II boasted a mild facelift and enlarged 3693cc powerplant (later 4014cc). Decidedly more exclusive than its rivals, just 591 Sebrings are thought to have been made between 1963 and 1967 (348 Series I and 243 Series II cars).

According to a letter on file from Alan Carrington Classic Cars Ltd, this particular matching numbers example is "an original RHD UK car". The same missive states that the Sebring had previously belonged to Mr Mel Farrar and been kept on his ranch in Arizona for a time. A British citizen and the proprietor of Farrar Precision Engineering in Outibridge, Sheffield, Mr Farrar apparently repatriated the Maserati during 2000. Acquired by dealer Andrew Howarth of Cheshire three years later, the fixed-head coupe then passed to Mr Carrington who in turn supplied it to the previous keeper. Kept garaged as part of a private collection between August 2003 and December 2009 when it entered the current ownership, 'BNF 98B' has since been treated to a new clutch and full respray (with bonnet, boot and doors detached and the glass removed). Further benefiting from attention to its optional Borrani wire wheels and triple Weber carburetors (the latter retro-fitted by Mr Carrington in place of the notoriously troublesome Lucas fuel-injection system), the Sebring started readily on inspection. Pleasingly retaining much of its original Black leather upholstery (though, the front seats have been recovered at some time), the 2+2-seater also boasts a full complement of British Jaeger instruments. Reputedly one of only circa 70 RHD Series I cars made, this rare and handsome Maserati is offered for sale with sundry paperwork, reproduction 3500GT spare parts catalogue, Lucas fuel-injection components and fresh MOT certificate.