Sixty years ago, on Nov. 29, the Maserati 5000 GT, a 2+2 coupé, was presented at the Turin Motor Show and was the undisputed star of the event. Maserati now celebrates the anniversary of this extraordinary car, built to the specific request of the Shah of Persia, Reza Pahlavi. Just 34 cars of this model were built at the Viale Ciro Menotti plant in Modena, with bodywork added by Italy’s top coachbuilders of the period.
Reza Pahlavi, the then Shah of Persia, and a great enthusiast of high-performance sports cars, test-drove a 3500 GT towards the end of 1958 and was delighted with it. However, he requested an increase in performance, and Giulio Alfieri, Maserati technical director at the time, realized that the car would have to be completely redesigned to satisfy this prestige customer’s demands.
The resulting AM103 project, continued through during 1959, and was in effect a new car and not merely a customization: the heart of the design was the V8 engine of the 450S (the famous Maserati racing barchetta), with its bore increased to upgrade its displacement to almost 5-liters. The 5000 GT, a prestigious 2+2 coupé, was born.
The car, of which the first bodywork was built by Carrozzeria Touring, was launched at the 1959 Turin Motor Show, and received the nickname “Shah of Persia” in honor of this unique customer. Only three of that special version were ever produced.
The next year, in 1960, the 5000 GT was exhibited on the stand at the Geneva International Motor Show, with a few revisions to the engine. The most interesting fact of the Maserati 5000 GT was that it was built with bodywork by almost all the leading Italian coachbuilders of the time: from Allemano, Pininfarina, Monterosa, Ghia, Bertone and Frua, not to mention Michelotti for Vignale.
Its great success led to the production of a number of cars for prestige customers including Prince Karim Aga Khan (car with bodywork by Carozzeria Frua), Fiat boss Gianni Agnelli (Carozzeria Pininfarina), industrialist Ferdinando Innocenti (Carrozzeria Ghia), film star Stewart Granger (Carrozzeria Allemano) and Mexican President Adolfo López Mateos (Carrozzeria Allemano).
Maserati confirmed its ability to create a prestigous product, delivering exclusive elegance, impeccable functionality and absolute comfort, combined with thrilling performance. The 5000 GT was a VIP’s car, in terms of both exclusivity and performance. Due to its extremely distinctive character and high cost, the total number of cars built was limited to just 34.
Technical Details
| Model | Type 5000 GT |
| Production period | 1959/1964 |
| Engine | Eight cylinders, V – 90° |
| Displacement | 4937,8 cc (from 1960: 4941,1 cc) |
| Bore and stroke | 98,5 mm x 81 mm (from 1960: 94 mm x 89 mm) |
| Power | 325 HP a 5500 rev/min. (from 1960: 340 HP a 5800 rev/min) |
| Compression ratio | 8,5:1 |
| Valves train | Dual overhead camshafts per bank |
| Valves | Two per cylinder |
| Ignition | Double with two Marelli or Lucas distributors |
| Engine lubrication | Forced with pressure pump |
| Clutch | Dry twin discs |
| Gearbox | Four speeds + R (from 1963: five speeds + R) |
| Frame | Tubular |
| Front suspensions | Coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers |
| Rear suspensions | Semi-elliptical leaf springs and telescopic shock absorbers |
| Brakes | Power-assisted front discs and rear drums |
| Wheelbase | 2600 mm |
| Track | Front 1390 mm ; Rear 1360 mm |
| Body | Two doors Coupè, 2+2 seats |
| Dry Weight | 1500 Kg |
| Max. Speed | 260-270 Km/h |
