Maserati 5000 GT Agnelli

Vehicle Overview

The Maserati 5000 GT was the pinnacle of the marque’s exclusivity between 1959 and 1964, with only 34 examples built, each tailored to the specifications of its elite clientele. Featuring a 450 S-derived V8 engine, it was the most powerful road-going Maserati of its time, pushing the limits of grand touring performance with an extravagant price tag to match. The early models, including chassis 103.008, were equipped with a 4935cc V8 with gear-driven overhead camshafts, producing 340 horsepower at 5500 rpm, before Maserati transitioned to a 4941cc version with fuel injection and chain-driven camshafts, delivering a slightly reduced 325 horsepower. Chassis 008, completed in 1961, was the fourth 5000 GT built and the only one to receive coachwork from Pininfarina. The order came from Gianni Agnelli, heir to the Fiat empire and a man renowned for commissioning highly customized automobiles. Unveiled without any overt branding, this fusion of Italian craftsmanship and automotive ingenuity traversed the roads incognito, captivating onlookers with its understated elegance and unmistakable presence. Agnelli’s discretion extended beyond his choice of automobile; it was customary for his personal cars not to bear brand emblems on their exteriors, mirroring the approach seen with the Chrysler Boano Coupé Speciale. This choice was not merely aesthetic but also practical—Fiat regulations forbade non-Fiat cars from entering company grounds, and Agnelli circumvented this rule by ensuring his cars remained unbranded. Only Giovanni Michelotti was granted an exception to this policy, a testament to the deep respect and influence shared between the two men in the automotive world. The body fitted to 008 was nearly identical to that of his 1959 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupé Speciale (chassis 1517 SA), also designed by Pininfarina. Agnelli had overseen the styling of both cars, insisting on a design that would not resemble a typical Ferrari or Maserati. Both featured a distinctive upright front end with a boxed grille, twin headlights mounted in oval chrome surrounds, a wraparound windshield, inverted A-pillars, and a notchback tail. The most obvious differences were the Ferrari’s hood-mounted intake scoop and its shorter 2420mm wheelbase compared to the 5000 GT’s longer 2600mm platform. In keeping with Agnelli’s affinity for large glass roofs, both cars were also equipped with panoramic-style glazing. Inside, the similarities continued, with the dashboard featuring a curved instrument binnacle behind the steering wheel and additional gauges mounted on a central console connecting the dash to the transmission tunnel. The car was finished in Argento (silver) over Nero (black), a sophisticated yet understated combination befitting its prestigious owner. Dispatched on February 8, 1961, it is unclear how long Agnelli kept the car, as he often cycled through his collection within a year or two. In later years, chassis 008 found its way into the hands of Alfredo Brener, a well-known collector of 5000 GTs. Today, it remains one of the most fascinating examples of the model, not only for its unique Pininfarina design but also for its direct connection to one of the most influential figures in the automotive world.