The 1958 Maserati 3500 Touring Spider Prototype, a hand-built one-of-two convertible that predates the famed Vignale Spider. A car that didn’t just influence Maserati’s history. It helped save the company.
It’s a car of cinematic charm, race-derived performance, and coachbuilt artistry. This Touring Spider even starred in the Hollywood film Love is a Ball, alongside Glenn Ford and Hope Lange.
This is no ordinary classic. It’s the prototype of Maserati’s convertible future.
Prototype on Screen – Maserati in ‘Love is a Ball’ (1963)
What Makes This Car So Special?
This Maserati 3500 Touring Spider Prototype is more than rare—it’s a symbol of reinvention. Only two were ever built. Crafted by Carrozzeria Touring, it laid the groundwork for the Vignale Spider, one of Maserati’s most commercially successful post-war models.
At a time when Maserati was fighting to survive, this car helped chart a new course. It’s a machine of fluid lines, racing DNA, and refined Italian craftsmanship—made even more compelling by its silver-screen fame and exquisite restoration.
1958: The Beginning of a New Era
As Maserati struggled financially, the company turned to grand touring cars to save its future. The 3500 GT was a hit—but a convertible version was needed to compete with Ferrari’s open-top icons.
Enter the Touring Spider, built by hand in Milan using Maserati’s famed inline-six. This prototype, completed in June 1958, featured the elegant curves and restrained lines of Carrozzeria Touring’s finest work.
The Forgotten Film Star
Unlike the more flamboyant Vignale design that followed, the Touring Spider Prototype is understated and timeless. It made its big-screen debut in the 1963 romantic comedy Love is a Ball, where it played a supporting role to two Hollywood stars—Glenn Ford and Hope Lange.
Despite its early fame, the car remained virtually “unknown” to many Maserati enthusiasts until it resurfaced just over a decade ago.
Restoration and Rediscovery
Thankfully, this prototype has been preserved and meticulously restored by marque specialists. Every detail has been returned to factory-correct condition, from the chrome bumper lines to the dark green soft top.
The inline-six engine, equipped with three Weber 42 DCOE carburetors, delivers 220 horsepower—backed by a factory record confirming its original specifications. The car comes with full documentation, including period photographs, original Maserati correspondence, and press features from its film role.
Ready for the World’s Finest Collection
The 1958 Maserati Touring Spider Prototype is not just a Maserati—it’s a turning point in automotive history, a cinematic icon, and one of the rarest coachbuilt convertibles of the post-war era.
With factory verification, full restoration, celebrity provenance, and unmatched rarity, this car belongs in the most discerning of collections.
This special car is for sale at gallery-aaldering.com
