The Aga Khan Maserati 5000 GT with coachwork by Frua

Copley Motorcars is offering this Aga Khan Maserati 5000 GT with coachwork by Frua.

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To gain proper perspective on this unique and influential Maserati, all one has to do is examine the current state of the supercar market. Shareholders and accountants rule today’s car companies and as such, demand building relatively large quantities of even the most special of hypercars. And while each of our favored European manufacturers now has a bespoke department of some type, the word one-off is nearly forgotten. Yes, we can choose our colors and interior materials today, but supercars and hypercars have become commoditized.

It wasn’t always that way though. The 1950s and early 1960s were the apogee of the bespoke era of automotive design, when one-offs and fouri serie cars were created for a very select clientele. Many commissioning customers were legitimate stars of the big screen and stage, well-known captains of industry, and royalty. These discriminating individuals desired something truly unique, a car that expressed their personal taste, and wasn’t a different-colored carbon copy of what several hundred others had also ordered.

Adding to the early supercars’ allure was many found their origins in competition—which is exactly what happened with one of the most bespoke of all, Maserati’s ultra-exclusive 5000 GT. In 1958 the Shah of Iran coveted something different and extremely rapid, and asked Maserati to create a GT with the heart of their uber-fast 450S. That car’s fabled DOHC 4.5-liter V8 was without equal, for at most every venue the 400-horsepower sports racer simply ran away from the competition. Unfortunately, they were often besieged with bad luck, and that cost Maserati the endurance-racing crown in the last race of 1957’s season.

Still, the 450S’s unparalleled horsepower, panache and speed had the Shah’s attention. He requested his road car, and Maserati was more than happy to oblige. A unique chassis was created, proper suspension and brakes were used, and the potent V8 was slightly detuned to 325-340 horsepower for street use. Carrozzeria Touring did the coachwork, and a top speed of 280 kph (174 mph) was guaranteed—making the model the era’s fastest road car when it debuted at 1959’s Turin Auto Show.

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Report by copleymotorcars.com


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Copley Motorcars was established by Stu Carpenter in 1995. Working for other luxury and sportscar dealers in Boston since 1986, Stu has gained a longterm-experience in offering exceptional products at a fair price making the acquisition of a classic and luxury car as easy and as enjoyable as possible. The team at Copley Motorcars has a particular affinity for vintage Mercedes Benz, Ferrari and Land Rover Defender but also other blue chips such as 289 Cobra, BMW Z8 and Porsche 959. Since the market for these cars is a worldwide one, Copley Motorcars ships worldwide and can easily assist with the logistical arrangements. December 2019 marked Copley’s 24th year of buying and selling sports and classics. Their showroom is located in the center of Needham, about 15 miles west of the City of Boston. Copley has an interesting, some would say eclectic, mix of classic cars always on offer and find something to love about each and every one. And because Copley Motorcars is a smallish “boutique” type dealer, their classic cars don’t necessarily run out the door. A new arrival could be there for a day, a week or even six months. That said, all of their classics are different one to the next and are being looked at throughout the USA and the world. If you see a car you like and want to buy it, please contact copleycars@gmail.com. If you see a car and want to think about it, terrific too. But please, please, please assume that someone else is looking at the very same classic you are interested in so, if it gets sold, they do their very best to find another for you.