1967 Maserati Mistral 4000 Coupé
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Frua
Registration no. LYV 63K
Chassis no. 109.1350

Maserati's survival strategy for the 1960s centred on establishing the company, which hitherto had mainly concentrated on its Grand Prix and sports car racing activities, as a producer of road cars. The Modena marque's new era began in 1957 with the launch at the Geneva Salon of the Touring-bodied 3500GT,which would turn out to be the first of an illustrious family of six-cylinder Gran Turismos from the celebrated Italian manufacturer.

Last of the classic six-cylinder Maseratis, the Pietro Frua-styled Mistral commenced production in 1963. The 3.7-litre version of the Bolognese manufacturer's long-stroke engine was fitted to most cars, other options being the 3.5-litre or, from 1966, the 4.0-litre unit, all of which came with Lucas fuel injection. With 255bhp available from its larger engine, an increase of 10bhp over the 3.7-litre unit, the Mistral 4000 was good for a top speed approaching 160mph (258km/h). A handsome two-seater on a shortened, square-tube chassis, the Mistral was built in coupé and spyder versions, the former's opening rear window hatch making it unusually practical for a sports car. A five-speed gearbox, disc brakes, and fuel injection were standard equipment; automatic transmission, air conditioning, and a limited-slip differential the options. Production ceased in 1970, by which time a total of 827 coupés and 123 spyders had been built.

The vendor, a former Secretary of the Maserati Owners' Club, purchased this left-hand drive Mistral 4000 from The Carriage Co of Wembley, Middlesex on 14th March 1975. The accompanying lever-arch file of history and bills contains the 1975 sales invoice; copies of the original Maserati build sheets (in Italian); photographs; hand-written notes on previous history; hand-written work schedule; numerous notes and drawings relating to servicing, restoration and repairs by vendor; and copy spare parts list/parts book.

In 1997 the Mistral was re-trimmed by S J Bowles of Bridport Dorset, while in 2021/2022 the (non-matching) engine was rebuilt by world famous marque specialists McGrath Maserati. McGrath reinstalled the engine and carried out their normal testing, covering around 200 miles, and changed the running-in oil for regular oil. Further careful running in is recommended. The cost of the engine rebuild and other works carried out at the same time was £31,094 (see detailed invoices on file).