1959 Maserati 5000 GT Coupe
In 1958, a very special customer came to Maserati, wanting a 3500 GT but with more performance. Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Persia, was a connoisseur of fine sports cars and fell immediately in love with the 3500 GT. When the Shah discussed improving the car with chief designer Giulio Alfieri, Alfieri realized it would take more than dropping in a bigger motor. Taking the V8 from the 450S race car, the motor was bored over to nearly five liters and dropped into a Superleggera aluminum tube chassis with aluminum bodywork by Carrozzeria Touring. Nicknamed the Shah of Persia for its famous commissioner, the 5000 GT is one of the rarest cars made by Maserati, with only 34 units produced. Maserati is celebrating 60 years of one of its most important pieces of history that is as exclusive now as it was when new.
