1961 Maserati 3500 GT Touring

1961 Maserati 3500 GT Touring Berlinetta

For restoration: Juan Manuel Fangio's daily driver

VIN AM 101 1714

Juan Manuel Fangio's daily driver in Italy 1961-66

Unofficially test driven for the factory by Fangio to find possible faults

Accompanied by notes and letters to and from the factory

Abandoned at the Maserati factory 1966-1981

Given to an Italian friend by Fangio in 1981 and standing in his collection since

In need of full restoration

Nearly 100% complete and with a bootful of spares.

#1714 was delivered to two industrialists who had close relations both to the Maserati factory and Juan Manuel Fangio. Fangio lived in Argentina most of the year, but frequently travelled to Italy for business trips and to maintain his connections. This very car was used by the champion during his stays in Italy, and soon later, as his daily driver. Fangio had an agreement with the Maserati factory to unofficially test the car and report on his findings and possible improvements. There are numerous letters from and to the factory on file which support this fact. In 1966, the car was returned to the factory and simply stood there without being used. In 1969, Fangio apologized in a signed letter for having left the car there and expressed his plans to recover it in the near future.

Instead of doing so, another ten years passed and the Maserati didn't change for the better. Finally, in 1979, Fangio authorised two of his friends to collect the car in his name at the factory. One of the two friends was former Maserati test driver Guerino Bertocchi, the other one was the present owner.

Maserati refused to release the car at first, being aware of the value of an ex-Fangio car, but two years later Alejandro DeTomaso gave in and the two friends collected the car at the factory in 1981. Unfortunately, Bertocchi died shortly afterwards.

The car has been standing in a large collection of significant cars since and is in exactly the same state as recovered in 1981. It is almost 100% complete and the boot is full of spares given by the Maserati factory as a compensation for the two years of delay they had caused.

This car was offered at auction in 2019 with an estimate of 475-540 T€. Bidding stopped at 400 back then. We are now offering this significant car at half of this price. Your opportunity to restore Fangio's daily driver. Once finished, it will be eligible for many of the world's most prestigeous events.

We can also make you an offer to restore this car for you in excellent quality and at a competitive rate.