Top 20 Maserati GT Cars at Auction
Issue 2 – September 2008

Maserati first attained fame as a maker of racing cars, but lasting renown has come from its history of producing incredibly desirable grand touring cars in limited numbers.  The best of them don’t often appear at auction - in part because the world of Maserati enthusiasts is quite tight knit and private sales are common, and in part because so few of the most sought-after models were built.  What follows is a list of the top Maserati GTs sold at auction, with comment from Keith Martin’s Sports Car Market.The stunning 5000 GT is a fixture of the list, including one with a musical connection, even if the owner’s claim that “My Maserati does 185” was a little optimistic.

#1/  $1,100,000 – 1962 5000 GT Frua Coupe
Gooding’s lot #45, Pebble Beach, CA, 19 August 2007

Well-presented overall, with excellent paint and mostly mark-free chrome. In-dash 45 rpm record player fitted from new. Good leather shows some wear. Former 2nd in Class at Pebble Beach.

Of the 34 5000 GTs built, only three came in Frua clothing. This same car sold for $319k at RM Monterey in August 2003, so the $780k made on this sale must be considered a handsome ROI.

#2/  $917,665 – 1953 A6GCS/53 Pininfarina Coupe
Bonhams lot #1036 – London, UK, 12 February 2002

Superbly restored to closed Berlinetta coupe spec. Lovely condition, slightly worn through eventing. Full cage with sidebars. Vendor commissioned removable sunroof panel to accommodate his height. Full harnesses. Fire system with extinguisher in trunk.

Having been unsold at $847,800 under hammer, declared sold postblock. Drop-dead gorgeous and quite rightly the most viewed auto of all the end-of-season sales.

#3/  $638,447 – 1955 A6G/54 Zagato Berlinetta
Bonhams lot #244 – Monte Carlo, 16 May 2005

Brussels show car, assigned to Ferrari works driver/motoring scribe Paul Frere. Became resident in both California and Arizona, where restored in 1980s before returning home and passing into Count Zanon ownership. Triple Webers with six trumpets, Borranis. Mille Miglia and Tour Auto exercised, cosmetically refreshed since, all mint.

Just above guide price paid was entirely justified by this Maser being both historically interesting and in tip-top condition.

Perfectly restored 5000, won Pebble Beach Maserati 5000 class in 1999. Runs, if not fettled, and made the drive to three or four concours fields. 5-liter 450S race engine, gear-driven cams, V8, four Weber IDM45 carbs, four-speed. Touring bodied.

Of the 34 5000 GTs built, this is 1 of 2 powered by modified engine. Many think it's one of the least attractive of the 5000s, including tacky gold-plated instruments. Strong price for a car that's already been shown at all major concours.

#5/  $487,147 – 1956 A6G 2000 Allemano Coupe
RM Auctions lot #258, London, UK, 31 October 2007

One of just 21 Maserati A6s to carry Allemano bodywork. Treated to three-year Giovanni Giordanengo restoration completed in ’96, low mileage displayed likely since then. Panels and fit perfect, paint and chrome without blemish, Borranis like new, retrim including trunk area superb with carpets edged in tan leather. Instrumentation absolutely period-correct. Nardi wheel, twin-cam motor with twin-plug head beautifully presented.

#6/  $467,501 – 1956 A6G 2000 Zagato Coupe
Bonhams lot#204, Gstaad, CHE, 12/17/06

Very good panel fit, very good paint; small bubble on left front fender, minor stress cracking at rear of right side rear window. Excellent interior with mix of modern adapted and older window rubbers.

Stunning car, seen at RM Monterey twice before: Sold in 1999 at $368,500, then in 2002 at $396,000. Ex-Skip Barber. One of the most beautiful Maseratis.

#7/  $396,001 – 1956 A6G 2000 Zagato Coupe
RM Auctions lot #123, Monterey, CA, 16 August 2002

No objections to full restoration. Very striking. Chronomatic Jaeger gauges. 600x15 tires seem large. Ex-Skip Barber Collection.

Less than 20 built. Sold for $368,500 at RM's 1999 Monterey sale.

#8/  $392,630 – 1955 A6G 2000 Coupe
Bonhams lot #703, London, UK, 12 December 2001

Former Italian Motor Show car. Windowless body expensively part-restored and ready for primer and top coats. Engine rebuild ten years ago by Rex Woodgate. Many bits in boxes.

Apparently bidding on behalf of a U.S. buyer, a Maserati family member paid $165,000 over the top estimate. This has to be the most extraordinary result of the auction. Remember, the new owner still has to fund completing the project.

#9/  $371,160 - 1948 A6 1500 GT Berlinetta
RM Auctions lot #261, London, UK, 31 October 2007

One of 61, and one of only a few with the uprated engine with triple Weber option. Acquired from California by Prevosti in 1990, restored in ’93, hardly driven since. Bodywork with trafficator slots perfect, paint and brightwork unmarked. Interior retrim by noted upholsterer Lupi extraordinarily good after 14 years. Engine and compartment spotless.

Few A6 1500 GTs have survived, and even fewer come to public auction, so this result of $40k above the high estimate of $330k must now be the definitive valuation for a fully-restored example in the current market.

#10/  $368,500 – 1956 A6G 2000 Zagato Coupe
RM Auctions lot #144, Monterey, CA, 26 August 1999

Chrome wire wheels and brake drums. A quality restoration to essentially as-new condition. Excellent cosmetics, shows a little use. Beautiful. Well documented, factory renumbered.

A beautiful example of Zagato's ability to combine light weight, clean aerodynamics, and purposeful beauty. The price should gladden the hearts of the owners of the other nineteen A6G 2000 Zagatos.

#11/  $333,063 – 1962 5000 GT Frua Coupe
Brooks lot #166, Monte Carlo, 26 May 2000

One of only 34 5000 GTs built. Once golden gray, but repainted ruby red metallic by Modena works in '63. Impounded by Egyptian govn't, stored for years. In appalling, though likely to be totally orig. condition, w/seat stuffing sprouting out.

Probably most viewed lot in all three Monaco sales, this major project soared until hammer fall at three times the lower estimate to much applause. Before this milestone result, one could not have imagined a fully restored 5000 GT making this kind of money.

#12/  $319,000 – 1962 5000 GT Frua Coupe
RM Auctions lot #448, Monterey, CA, 16 August 2003

Excellent panel fit under superb paint. Small stone chip on front end. Redyed original interior with some staining on headliner. Original Philips in-dash record player. Fully detailed engine compartment.

Alfredo Brener collection. Stunning design, well presented. Only the interior disappoints and keeps this car from being a #1. Well bought.

#13/ $302,500 – 1962 5000 GT Michelotti Coupe
RM Auctions lot #445, Monterey, CA, 16 August 2003

Very good paint with minor scratches, very good panel fit; minor problems with chrome and rear package shelf. Front turn signals replaced.

Alfredo Brener collection, ex-Briggs Cunningham. A lovely design, a superb visual presentation. Not ready for Pebble Beach, but a standout among the "car of kings." Worth the price. 5000 GTs of all flavors continue to be strong.

#14/  $283,300 – 1951 A6G 2000 Vignale Coupe
Brooks lot #332, Carmel, CA, 18 August 2000

Stunning restoration, Pebble Beach winner, full tool kit, flawless. Very pretty, rare car, with full history, and a no-holds-barred restoration. Last single-cam A6G. Tour de France 1952 (retired), no other comp. history.

Barely reached low estimate. A handsome car, and an interesting piece of history.

#15/  $281,048 – 1955 A6G/54 Zagato Berlinetta
Brooks lot #179, Monte Carlo, 11 May 1999

Chrome Borranis. Good '80s restoration little used since. Attractive Zagato 2+2 body with embellishments characteristic of the time like bright accents on the front fender vents and a beak over the grille. '98 Mille Miglia Retro veteran.

A very desirable combination of GP-Maserati-derived A6G and attractive Zagato coachwork. Knowing it can complete the MM Retro doesn't hurt its value; the price is representative for the package, and a good value.

#16/  $265,797 – 1954 A6G/54 Zagato Berlinetta
Coys lot #116, Silverstone, UK, 25 July 1997

One of twenty Zagato coupes. First sold to Monsieur Degaseaux in France, then went to Ken Painter, then to Peter Kaus's Rosso Bianco Museum. Very original and appealing condition.

Top price, but correct for this car.

#17/  $225,000 – 1962 5000 GT Allemano Coupe
Bonhams and Butterfields lot #1542, Carmel, CA, 13 August 2004

Very good panel fit, except hood gap wide and raised on right side. Excellent paint. Very good chrome, including very difficult pot-metal door handles. Excellent interior, as new.

These very powerful and rare cars have become almost a staple of Monterey auctions, but they always command a great presence. A stunning car and hard to fault. This was a fair price for a very good-looking example.

#18/ $188,106 - 1956 A6G 2000 Allemano Coupe
Bonhams lot #225, Gstaad, CH, 17 December 2006

Bearing in mind that no two cars were entirely alike, this was one of around 60 A6G/2000 to have been bodied by Serafino Allemano's workshop. Bodywork rough, paint and chrome poor, trim complete but soiled. Formerly in the U.S., then Germany, Chevrolet V8-powered at some time. Rear axle and power steering still Chevrolet units. Correct AC6 motor and Maserati (rather than original ZF) gearbox included, but out of car. Competition gas tank filler inside trunk and rally clock on dash indicate race history.

Despite the chassis number never being listed in Maserati factory records (but looking correct), no motor or gearbox fitted, an incorrect back axle, and very little floor still present, this lot generated huge interest during viewing. No doubt inspired by some traces of a competition past, several contestants competed for ownership until the project was eventually taken on for a fairly crazy $57,034 above the high estimate.

#19/  $178,500 - 1963 5000 GT Allemano Coupe
Bonhams lot #297, Carmel, CA, 22 August 2002

Heavy undercoating in fender wells. Chassis looks okay. Underhood clean and detailed. Chrome very nice. Recently reupholstered interior strong. Some carpets still original. A few small cracks in paint on roof and quarter panels. Hood fit quite off.

Formerly owned by musician Joe Walsh. Car's top speed is actually 175 mph, not the 185 mph he claims in "Life's Been Good." Sale price market correct. One of just 34 5000 GTs, the "car of kings."

#20/ $184,670 – 1962 5000 GT Allemano Coupe
RM Auctions lot #450, Monterey, CA, 15 August 2003

Superb panel fit under excellent black paint. Minor touch-ups and pitting under plating on door handles. Very good interior, clean underhood.

Alfredo Brener collection. A lovely car, let down only slightly by details, which can easily be attended to. Great presence and well bought at this price.