1964 | Maserati Mistral 3700

Named after the cold northern wind of southern France, the Maserati Mistral was the first of many iconic models in Maserati’s wind-inspired legacy – soon followed by the Ghibli, Bora, Khamsin, Karif, Shamal, and Levante. The design of the Mistral came from the brilliant mind of Pietro Frua, a car designer of great renown who, by the age of 22, was already Director of Styling at Stabilimenti Farina. With the Mistral, Frua had a clear vision: to craft a car that would leave an indelible mark. While not exhibiting Frua’s typical sweeping lines, the Mistral is a perfect blend of understated elegance and restrained aggression. It doesn't shout for attention, but trust me, once you get behind the wheel, it speaks volumes. The Mistral came with two engine options: a 3.7-liter and a 4.0-liter straight-six, delivering 245 bhp and 265 bhp, respectively. While it enjoyed commercial success, production remained limited, making each example even more coveted today. What truly sets the Mistral apart, though, is its engine – the last Maserati to feature the legendary twin-spark, double overhead cam straight-six. This is the same engine that powered the Maserati 250F to eight Grand Prix victories between 1954 and 1960, including a Formula 1 World Championship win in 1957 with none other than Juan Manuel Fangio behind the wheel. With hemispherical combustion chambers and the innovative Lucas indirect fuel injection system, the Mistral represents a fine balance between Maserati’s racing heritage and forward-thinking engineering.