It's still April fools for a few more hours here. Couldn't resist. Sorry Walter
Found https://drive-my.com/en/news/281-missing-maserati-surfaces-in-saudi-arabia-long-lost-ghia-bodied-5000gt.html Image Unavailable, Please Login
I do believe that unlike the 2013 Loch Ness version of this story it is legit now, truthful, the 1st and third photos are not photoshop...but if I were the chap buying it I would not have said a word to anybody until the car was back north of the Mediterranean, better not to tempt fate...best of luck to him to get it home, I look forward to a more detailed account after that...maybe this can be my next article, a wonderful tall to tell, hopefully not a tall one
Same thing... my first impression was that the pictures were a scale model but we are not the first of april and the front of the car still wearing the second style trident (different from the one when the car was exhibited in the shows or at the factory).
Good morning, The source referred to in post #4 is a two bit website BUT I just saw that it is copied and pasted from Octane magazine's current issue and they certainly would not have printed such news unless it was properly verified and authenticated. Now we just have to wait and see if the Saudi customs give the buyer any hassle, hopefully it will soon be heading to the UK and undergo a sympathetic restoration...
Finally, it will be sold during the Monterey week via RM Sothebys. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
...and there is historic Egyptian air in the tires that is priceless esteemed client;-) Seriously great to see it come out of the woodwork, hopefully it will be reborn a sa grand restoration success story...in any case the task list is going to be very grand...
I spoke with RM today. Auction estimate is $500,000-700,000 USD. The restoration costs depending on which shop does the restoration, should equal the purchase price.
Even in the rough the Ghia 5000GT has wonderful lines !! I love how the bumpers curve down, the unique door panel grab handle, the horn button emblem that matches the unique front trident .... it even has a sunroof. This is rolling artwork! Ivan Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Fascitating, nobody seen the interior, apart Sig. Innocenti and the saudi arabian owner at the time... I think no period pictures are available.
If you look at all the photos on the RM site, the interior is rough but intact. It should not be that difficult to accurately replicate. At least the restorer will not have to rely on old photos to guess on colors, texture, etc as there is enough material still intact. https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo19/monterey/lots/r0169-1961-maserati-5000-gt-coupe-by-ghia/793226 Ivan
Image Unavailable, Please Login In house at Ghia at the same time were the Chrysler Ghia Imperial Limousine contract and the Dual Ghia 6.4L. There was some crossover influence, as the some of the switch gear is Chrysler.
Yes, I’m serious. There are styling influences as some of the designers were the same. The switch gear is the Chrysler in origin, as the power motors should be as well. Not a big deal...but that was happening at Ghia at the time so from a historical perspective it’s interesting. The car isn’t a Chrysler, it Is a Dual-Ghia 6.4L, which used the full size Dodge/Plymouth unibody as it’s chassis. But hands down, I think we all agree that the 5000 is the car we really want!!!
3500GT: Not to be picky, but the car you mention is NOT a Dual-Ghia 6.4L, it IS a Ghia L6.4 (26 built). It does not use a full size Dodge/Plymouth unibody as its chassis. It uses a SHORTENED DeSoto/Chrysler floorpan and frame rails. The front and trunk sections are DeSoto/Chrysler, with the center section built by Ghia. I maintain the Ghia L6.4 Roster.
This is a tough car to speculate on the price. obviously needs a full frame off nut and bolt restoration, no light refurbishment here. It’s a one off coach built Maserati 5000 GT and a long lost one at that. In today’s market other one off 5000 GTs are in the 1.5 to 2 mil range. The fact that the car is offered at no reserve may indicate that RM feels that the car won’t break 250K, their minimum estimated value to place a reserve on a car at Monterey.
Wonderful piece of artefact. Conserve it, don't touch it but build a copy. Historically the correct solution and (probably) less expensive. Any 'restauration' inevitably destroys history and if you restore an original car in such a state, the result will (probably) have less than 50% original substance ...