Throughout its history as a manufacturer, Maserati's focus was primarily on motorsports, which was rewarded with numerous victories in Grand Prix and sports car racing before and after World War II. The few road cars the firm sold were exclusive and expensive, heavily relying on components from their racing machines. Although Juan Manuel Fangio had achieved his fifth and final World Championship driving for Maserati in 1957, the company ultimately saw the discontinuation of its factory racing program in 1958. To ensure its financial health, Maserati needed to adopt a new business strategy and while they continued to offer racing car services to privateers, the Modena marque would begin building series production road cars for the first time with the 3500 GT.

When word of Maserati's intention to begin building road cars spread, Italy's most esteemed carrozzerie mobilized to secure manufacturing contracts. The 1957 Geneva Motor Show served as the stage for two competing visions: Allemano's interpretation and Carrozzeria Touring's submission from Milan. Maserati ultimately selected the Touring design, a sophisticated 2+2 coupe showcasing the firm's signature Superleggera construction method, which utilized aluminum body panels attached to a rigid steel framework.

Following the 3500 GT coupe's commercial success, customers, particularly in the American market, expressed strong interest in an open variant. The development process spanned several iterations: Frua crafted an initial Spyder prototype in 1957 using an early 3500 GT chassis, though this design didn't advance to production. Carrozzeria Touring followed with two open-air studies in 1958. The breakthrough came in 1959 when Carrozzeria Vignale unveiled their Spyder, penned by the masterful Giovanni Michelotti. This definitive version rode on a shortened wheelbase—10 centimeters shorter than the coupe—and utilized steel body panels with an aluminum hood and trunk lid rather than the closed car's all-aluminum construction. Production continued through 1964, with just 242 Spyder examples built compared to around 2,000 coupes.

According to documentation obtained through Maserati Archivio Storico, this magnificent 3500 GT Vignale Spyder, chassis number 1367, was delivered on 12 March 1962 with Vignale body number 65. Ordered by a Ms. Michele Stefanini of Milan, Italy, the car was originally finished in Blue Sera (dark blue metallic) over a Neutro (white) Connolly leather interior and equipped with Borrani alloy wheels as well as a matching body-color hard top. The car's known history resumes in 1989 when it was sold in France, followed by documented ownership in the Netherlands by the early 2000s at which point it was noted to be in tired condition. In 2004, the car sold to a new owner in Germany where it has remained since.

Circa 2012, a ground-up restoration was initiated but remained incomplete for a number of years. It wasn't until the Maserati was acquired by the current owner in 2022 that the restoration resumed under the renowned restorers at Auto Sauer in Bamberg, Germany. The Spyder was renewed in its stunning original Blue Sera paintwork complemented by a sumptuous tan leather interior, black carpeting, and a finely restored black convertible top. Under the aluminum hood resides Maserati's venerable 3.5-liter inline-six engine, sourced and installed by Auto Sauer, and featuring desirable early triple Weber carburetors (mechanical fuel injection was adopted after 1961). It produces a robust 235 horsepower and is mated to a correct ZF five-speed manual transmission, while front disc brakes provide stopping power.

The 3500 GT Spyder stands as one of the definitive grand tourers of the early 1960s, embodying the mechanical sophistication and design elegance that marked Italy's golden age of grand touring automobiles. One of only 242 ever produced, the Spyder presents today as a fine example Michelotti's design masterpiece executed by Carrozzeria Vignale. Its stunning restoration makes it an ideal candidate for both international concours events and spirited grand touring, where its open-air configuration allows for the full sensory experience of Maserati's magnificent inline-six.