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Rare 1965 Maserati Vignale Prototype Mexico Matching Numbers 5000GT Frame

  • Make: Maserati
  • Model: Vignale Prototype Mexico
  • SubModel: Vignale Mexico
  • Type: Coupe
  • Trim: on 5000GT Frame
  • Year: 1965
  • Mileage: 65000
  • VIN: AM103*022
  • Color: Red
  • Engine size: 4.2
  • Number of cylinders: 8
  • Fuel: Gasoline
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Drive type: RWD
  • Interior color: Tan
  • Drive side: Left-hand drive
  • Vehicle Title: Clear
  • Location: Lake Forest, California, United States

Description

1965 Maserati Vignale Prototype Mexico 1 of 1 1965 Maserati and first Mexico Prototype bodied by Vignale on a 1962 Maserati 5000GT frame.According to factory records, Maserati 5000GT by Allemano #AM103*022* was originally sold to President Adolfo López Mateos of Mexico in 1961. One can presume therefore that at a later date Senor Barroso became the new owner of #AM103*022*. Following a serious accident, he brought the car back to the Maserati factory for repair. During this visit, Barroso spotted the Vignale prototype, bought it and had it mounted on his 5000GT chassis. It was agreed that to assist Senor Alfonso Lopez Barroso in avoiding import duty on his return to Mexico, the factory would assign the same chassis number as his 5000GT, #AM103*022*.
Frame Number AM103*022
Chassis Number AM103*022* (Inner passenger door)
Engine Number AM103*022
Engine is a V8 4.2 liter
the original 5000GT 4.940 liter engine is believed to be in the UKEven though Car has a clear California title under 1962 Maserati coupein actuality this is not a Maserati 5000 GT. It has the frame of the 5000 GT #022
but it's a 1965 Maserati Vignale prototype Mexico built on that frame
1) The 5000GT # AM103*022* was originally manufactured in 1961, Allemano body, and it was delivered in Mexico
2) In August 1965 the vehicle went back to the Factory (after a crash), as requested by the current Owner of the car at that time, Mr. Barroso.
3) In occasion of Mr. Barroso's further visit at the Maserati Factory, an estimate for the complete repair work was presented to him but he asked to exchange the broken car with a new one bodied by Vignale.
4) On 15th October 1965 Mr. Barroso accepted a Factory order for a new car. On the order is reported that the model of the new car was the type 101/11 (we suppose the Mexico prototype). Furthermore, on the order is clearly written to stamp the car chassis with the number 103*022* (Mr. Barroso asked to have the new car stamped with the same numbers of the previous broken car in order to avoid to pay importation taxes in Mexico).
6) Finally the new car was shipped to Mr. Barroso in Mexico.

The car does not run and has not being started in more than 30 years.
Original Borrani wire wheels are all in good condition, there is no spare wheel. The trunk is empty no jack nor toolkit is present. The interior is in good condition but of course it needs to be gone thru
There are extra parts available such as the front aluminum fins
1 taillight lens, rear view mirror and door panels.

The car is titled as a 1962 Maserati coupe since all the documentation, door tag and paperwork available indicates that was originally registered as a 1962 vehicle. I made several inquiries with the Maserati historical archives and they confirmed this is the car and first prototype Mexico made for the Salone di Torino in 1965 Designed by Michelotti and re bodied on the 5000GT by Vignale

(Maserati Mexico Prototype (Vignale) - In 1965, one of the damaged Allemano 5000 GT (chassis #103.022) was 're-bodied' by Vignale to become the first Maserati Mexico prototype)
This Vignale prototype is wider longer, the whole body throughout is a bit lower and more compressed with a sportier slicker rear section from the regular production Mexico that followed in 1966
I have included some old pictures of the car I have obtained from Maserati collectors and old archives.
It shows the original Vignale prototype body (note the lug nut steel wheels)
a picture of the car at the 1965 salone di Torino (with Borrani wire wheels)
also a side by side picture Prototype Mexico/Regular production Mexico