A little history
From its recent intrusion into the world of GT constructors to the early Sixties, Maserati mostly produced 2+2 coupes, but was willing to add a strict two-seater to its range. Such a car was introduced during the 1963 Turin motor show. Until it was officially put on sale in early 1964, this “Tipo 109” was simply called Due Posti, then renamed Mistral, inaugurating the House of the Trident’s habit of christening its cars after famous winds.
The Mistral was initially available as a coupe, but a convertible immediately followed at the Geneva motor show, in the spring of 1964. Both versions shared the same elegant style by Pietro Frua, even if the car was constructed at Maggiora’s. Suspension was independent at the front, though a rigid axle was still fitted at the rear; transmission was through a 5-speed manual gearbox provided by ZF; and brakes were Girling power-assisted disks on all four wheels. While the convertible inherited the larger Sebring’s 3.5-litre, 235 bhp straight six, the coupe received a slightly larger block (3.7-litre, 245 bhp).
A beautiful car, still acknowledged today as one of the most gorgeous Maserati ever, the Mistral had performances to match (a 230 kph top speed and 0-100 in about 7 seconds). Perhaps the only complaint from users came from the tricky Lucas fuel injection system, which was difficult to adjust properly. Nonetheless the car sold well. In 1966, its engine was enlarged to a 4.0-litre displacement and 255 bhp output. Under this guise, the car was produced until 1969, a few of the 830 coupes and 125 convertibles ever assembled being sold until 1970. No direct successor followed, though it can be assumed that the Ghibli, introduced a few years before and to which a convertible had just been added, can be considered its heir.
About the model
Model: Maserati Mistral Spyder
Year: 1964
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Ixo, “Maserati” series ref. CLC077
Acquired: brand new, in February 2007, in Hong Kong, S.A.R.
Ixo produces an excellent Mistral, which in particular enjoys superb wire wheels. The coupe, with its typical fastback silhouette and large, rounded rear window, is also available as ref. CLC076. The year given by Ixo (1963) is rather peculiar as production didn’t start until the following year and, at any rate, the convertible wasn’t introduced before 1964. My rating is 15/20.
From its recent intrusion into the world of GT constructors to the early Sixties, Maserati mostly produced 2+2 coupes, but was willing to add a strict two-seater to its range. Such a car was introduced during the 1963 Turin motor show. Until it was officially put on sale in early 1964, this “Tipo 109” was simply called Due Posti, then renamed Mistral, inaugurating the House of the Trident’s habit of christening its cars after famous winds.
The Mistral was initially available as a coupe, but a convertible immediately followed at the Geneva motor show, in the spring of 1964. Both versions shared the same elegant style by Pietro Frua, even if the car was constructed at Maggiora’s. Suspension was independent at the front, though a rigid axle was still fitted at the rear; transmission was through a 5-speed manual gearbox provided by ZF; and brakes were Girling power-assisted disks on all four wheels. While the convertible inherited the larger Sebring’s 3.5-litre, 235 bhp straight six, the coupe received a slightly larger block (3.7-litre, 245 bhp).
A beautiful car, still acknowledged today as one of the most gorgeous Maserati ever, the Mistral had performances to match (a 230 kph top speed and 0-100 in about 7 seconds). Perhaps the only complaint from users came from the tricky Lucas fuel injection system, which was difficult to adjust properly. Nonetheless the car sold well. In 1966, its engine was enlarged to a 4.0-litre displacement and 255 bhp output. Under this guise, the car was produced until 1969, a few of the 830 coupes and 125 convertibles ever assembled being sold until 1970. No direct successor followed, though it can be assumed that the Ghibli, introduced a few years before and to which a convertible had just been added, can be considered its heir.
About the model
Model: Maserati Mistral Spyder
Year: 1964
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Ixo, “Maserati” series ref. CLC077
Acquired: brand new, in February 2007, in Hong Kong, S.A.R.
Ixo produces an excellent Mistral, which in particular enjoys superb wire wheels. The coupe, with its typical fastback silhouette and large, rounded rear window, is also available as ref. CLC076. The year given by Ixo (1963) is rather peculiar as production didn’t start until the following year and, at any rate, the convertible wasn’t introduced before 1964. My rating is 15/20.
