Maserati Sebring, originally named 3500 GTiS, was a two-door 2+2 coupé made by Maserati from 1962 until 1969. Based on the Maserati 3500 GT, the Sebring was aimed at the American Gran Turismo market and nicknamed after Maserati's 1957 racing victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring. Two separate series, I and II, were produced.
Series I (1962-65)
Built on the short-wheelbase chassis of the 3500 GT spyder and likewise styled by Vignale stylist Giovanni Michelotti, the Series I Sebring 2+2 coupé arrived in 1962. Its frontal appearance differed from that of the 3500 GT by the addition of newly en vogue quadruple headlights, which were flanked by a bold grille and Maserati’s traditional Trident emblem.
Initially, the Series I Sebring used a 3.5L inline six-cylinder engine from the 3500 GT but later models employed a 3.7L engine, with correspondingly better torque and overall performance. It could reach 137 mph (220 km/h) and 0–60 mph in 8.5 seconds. A five-speed gearbox, four-wheel disc brakes and fuel injection were standard equipment, with air conditioning and a limited-slip differential available as options. A Borg-Warner automatic transmission was also available as an option, a first for Italian automobiles.
As a tribute to the 1957 double victories at the 12 Hours of Sebring, from 1964 Maserati changed the name of the 3500 GTiS to ‘Sebring’. With a price tag of £5,116 (tax paid in the UK) the Maserati was some 22% more expensive than the Aston Martin DB5 launched later that same year. (wikipedia, bonhams.com, classicdriver.com & rmauctions.com)
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1964 Maserati Series I Sebring "Bompani"
One-off by Carrozzeria Marchesi. This unique piece was commissioned in 1963 by Commendatore Bompani, a respected industrialist from Modena. The unique square headights were from a Allemano Maserati 5000 GT Indianapolis. New steel rims were also installed on the Series I Sebring. (classicdriver.com)
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(Photos from classicdriver.com)
Series II (1965-69)
In 1965, the modified Series II was introduced. It had lightly redesigned headlamps, modernized bumpers, new turn signals in front, and new side grilles replacing the lower extraction vents used in Series I. It took minor design cues from the contemporary Quattroporte. At the rear, aside from the squared off bumpers, the taillights were now mounted horizontally rather than vertically and the bootlid opening was narrowed somewhat. The Series II rode on larger 205x15 Pirelli Cinturatos. A run of 245 units was made from 1964 until 1968. Along with the 3.5L engine (although only two of these were built, both in 1965) the 3.7L and the even larger 4.0L were added.
Another report stated that 348 units of Sebring 3.5 and 245 of 3.7 and 4.0 (combined) were made, for a total of 593 units from 1962 to 1969. (wikipedia, bonhams.com, classicdriver.com & rmauctions.com)
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1961 Maserati Sebring I Prototype
There were two Maserati Sebring Prototypes built, which reflected styling cues for the Sebring I Series and Series II. This car was designed by Vignale. The styling lines more reflect the Series II Sebring production line. Powered by a 3.5L inline six-cylinder engine that could produce 235 hp. (conceptcarz.com)
(Photos from classicdriver.com, bonhams.com, rmauctions.com,
conceptcarz.com, gtplanet.net & svs-ltd.com)
conceptcarz.com, gtplanet.net & svs-ltd.com)
