The designation “Spyder” was used officially, from 1961, for foreign markets. To win the contract for the construction of the open-top version of the first GT Maserati produced in large numbers was the famous Turin coachbuilder Alfredo Vignale. The style of the car, designed by Giovanni Michelotti, differed from that of the Touring coupé of its lines more angular and muscular design. Touring had also a convertible version of its coupe, of which just three were specimens; Vignale, before it was decided to start the final design to production, made a number of prototypes, all with different details. Over six years, were sold 243 spyder.
As for the mechanics, despite the car shared the same configuration as the coupe, its wheelbase was shortened to 10 cm in the facility Lucas direct fuel injection and five-speed gearbox were available as to the coupe version, from 1961; disc brakes on all four wheels since 1962. The body was made of steel, with doors, bonnet and boot lid in light alloy, as well as the optional hardtop. The car came as standard power windows. The performance was perfectly in line with those being sought in an open model, and in 3500 GTi version, the car could reach a top speed of 220 km/h.
Specifications and Features
