First Maserati 5000 GT Frua receives Classiche certification

Born from a royal request

The Maserati 5000 GT originated in the late 1950s after the Shah of Persia drove a Maserati 3500 GT and requested an even more refined and prestigious grand tourer.

Maserati Technical Director Giulio Alfieri developed the AM103 project, combining racing-derived technology with the comfort and refinement expected from a luxury GranTurismo.

Its 5.0-litre V8, derived from the Maserati 450S racing car, initially produced more than 350 hp with carburettors. Later versions adopted indirect Lucas fuel injection and chain-driven camshafts, producing around 340 hp.

Carrozzeria Touring created the first two-door coupé, unveiled at the 1959 Turin Auto Show and subsequently known as the “Shah of Persia”. Only three examples were produced. Other coachbuilders involved with the Maserati 5000 GT included Allemano, Pininfarina, Monterosa, Ghia and Frua.

First Frua example and royal ownership

Chassis 103*064 originally featured a “Luci di Mezzanotte” exterior and “Camoscio” interior. Used by Maserati for trials and demonstrations, the Maserati 5000 GT Frua made its public debut at the 1963 Geneva International Motor Show.

Frua’s design featured larger glass surfaces, a lower beltline, a muscular yet flowing shoulder line, sculpted bodywork, chrome accents and a Trident above the grille, giving the grand tourer a distinctive and elegant appearance.

After Geneva, Karim Aga Khan IV drove the car through Maserati’s French importer and was sufficiently impressed to commission his own Maserati 5000 GT Frua.

The car returned to Modena in late 1963 and was later sold in Rome. In January 1966, its owner returned it to Maserati after purchasing another car.

The following month, it was serviced and repainted “Rosso Rubino Chiaro” for its new owner, Saudi Prince Magid Ben Saoud, who gifted it to his father, King Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Rediscovered after three decades

Following the Six-Day War and the sovereign’s departure from Egypt in 1967, Egyptian authorities seized the Maserati 5000 GT. It remained in a Cairo warehouse for more than 30 years.

When it resurfaced in 2000, its odometer showed just 12,700 km, while the car remained remarkably original and complete.

A Texan collector acquired the historic Maserati and returned it to Modena for a four-year restoration. In 2004, it appeared at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, where its return received special recognition.

Maserati Classiche certification

Having travelled through Europe, Egypt and the United States, chassis 103*064 has now received Maserati Classiche Certification of Authenticity, recognising its historical significance and originality.

Launched in Modena in 2021, Maserati Classiche is now part of BOTTEGAFUORISERIE. Its activities include Officine Classiche certification, preservation of historical archives and museum spaces, including the Collezione Maserati Umberto Panini.

Certification involves expert examination of a vehicle’s technical characteristics, historical documentation and Maserati archives. The programme applies to cars over 20 years old, as well as special models and limited series.

Maserati today

Maserati operates in more than 70 markets, with a current line-up including the Grecale, GranTurismo and GranCabrio, alongside their electrified and fully electric Folgore variants.

Its performance range includes the V6 Nettuno-powered MCPURA and MCPURA Cielo, the road-legal GT2 Stradale and the track-only MCXtrema, which is limited to 62 units.

The brand also continues its Maserati Fuoriserie personalisation programme, Classiche heritage activities and Maserati Corse motorsport programmes.