The 5000GT (Tipo 103) came about as a result of the tragic fire at the World Sports car Race in Venezuela which destroyed much of the Maserati team and led to their withdrawal from motorsport. This left them with a number of 5-litre V8 racecar engine which they decided to fit into a 3500GT chassis, supposedly persuaded to do so by the Shah of Iran.
The result debuted at the Turin Motorshow in 1959 as the 5000GT, with 325bhp, front disc brakes, 3500GT suspension, Weber 45IDM carburettors and a four speed gearbox. Later cars received fuel injection (which took the power up to 340bhp), a five speed transmission and disc brakes all round.
Only 34 cars were built, with the bodies constructed by a variety of coachbuilders up until 1964. Most (22) of them were built by Allemano with others by Touring, Frua, Bertone, Michelotti, Vignale, Monterosa and Pinin Farina. No two cars were the same with styling differences, specification differences and internal trim and options differences.
Technical Details
| Engine | 4941cc (94x89mm) dohc twin-plug V8 with 325bhp (later 340bhp with fuel injection) |
| Suspension | front : independent with double wishbones and coil springs plus anti-roll bar rear : live axle with leaf springs plus anti-roll bar wheelbase : 2600mm track (front/rear) : 1390mm/1360mm |
| Brakes | front : disc rear : drum (later discs) |
| Transmission | 4 (later 5) speed manual twin-plate clutch |
| Steering | Worm and sector |
| Kerb weight | 1652kg |
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