Maserati 150 GT
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Maserati 150 GT | |
|---|---|
 Maserati 150 GT at Museo Enzo Ferrari | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Maserati |
| Also called | Maserati 150 GT Spyder Fantuzzi |
| Production | 1957 1 produced |
| Designer | Carrozzeria Fantuzzi |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | Spyder |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Related | Maserati 150S |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.5 L (1484.1 cc) 4CF2 I4 |
| Power output | 130 PS |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,230 mm (87.8 in) |
| Length | 4,030 mm (158.7 in) |
| Width | 1,480 mm (58.3 in) |
| Height | 1,204 mm (47.4 in) |
| Curb weight | 900 kg (1,984 lb) |
The Maserati 150 GT was a prototype sports car produced by Maserati in 1957. Derived from the four-cylinder Maserati 150S race car, it was a singular road-going example, and was given spyder bodywork.[1]
The 150 GT was created from a need to replace the A6 lineage of road cars. Chief engineer Giulio Alfieri was responsible for the project made under the Maserati's racing department patronage. The project was aimed to create a road-going sports car that could be sold in meaningful numbers to wealthy customers in an image of Porsche 550 Spyder.[2]
The creation of the bodywork was entrusted to Medardo Fantuzzi of Carrozzeria Fantuzzi. He was responsible for numerous of Maserati sports racing and grand prix cars. Because Fantuzzi usually realised designs of others, the 150 GT Spyder's lightweight aluminium bodywork was mainly inspired by the work of Pietro Frua, with elements also found on Zagato-bodied Maseratis. The car featured a convertible soft-top with roll-up side windows and was RHD just like the race car it was based on.[3]
The 150 GT remained a one-off factory prototype as the production version never materialised.[4] The planned production would be too complex and expensive to bring any profit to the company that already decided to move towards the 3500 GT project.[5]
The car remained unsold and was stored in a factory for a few years. After the final public demonstration, Maserati decided to sell it to the British Maserati agent. In November 1966 it appeared for sale in a Motor Sport magazine for £1,400. In 1993 the 150 GT along with an O.S.C.A were traded to a German collector in exchange for his Aston Martin DB4 GT.[1] After 2006 the car was extensively restored over a three-year period and was later sold by Gooding & Company for US$3 million in 2013.[6]
