One might think that the golden age of barn exits belongs to the past. Yet some Italian marvels continue to reappear. The latest is a 1960 Maserati 3500 GT, rediscovered in an Oregon garage after more than three decades of oblivion.
The story begins with a call received by Vintage Underground Restorations, a workshop specializing in car restoration. The owner, a widow for several years, was looking to give the car a second life. Maserati of her late husband. The 3500 GT had been sleeping peacefully in her garage since 1992.
Originally, the car was still running, but an oil pressure problem prompted the owner to remove the in-line six-cylinder engine and dismantle it. The project was put on hold... for over 30 years. The result: the engine is in pieces, the pistons and connecting rods are missing, and the car hasn't run since.
But this coupé designed by Carrozzeria Touring was lucky. Unlike many of its rust-ridden contemporaries, this Maserati was preserved in a dry garage. Its aluminum body, finished in an elegant silver-gray, still gleams, and its deep-red interior is surprisingly well preserved.
The rebirth project is now in the hands of Vintage Underground. Their aim is not to turn it into a flashy show car, but to get it back on the road in its original condition, while restoring what is necessary. The race-inspired engine, derived from that of the Maserati 350S, will be completely rebuilt. At the time, it developed between 220 and 240 hp, depending on the carburetor or fuel injection version. A high-performance engine with dual ignition, designed to last once properly tuned.
This Maserati is not a unique example, but its value remains considerable: a 3500 GT coupé in good condition can fetch around 250,000 euros today, while some special versions or Spyders can exceed 700,000 euros.
Beyond the numbers, there's something magical about seeing this Maserati come back into the light of day after so many years of oblivion. It embodies an era when Maserati asserted its expertise in Italian grand touring.
This 3500 GT is about to be reborn. In a few months' time, if all goes well, its six-cylinder engine will be singing again, and this legendary coupé will be back where it belongs: on the road and admired by passers-by.
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