Rare Maserati found in car graveyard – less than 1,000 were made and they now sell for six figures
A RARE vehicle that a beloved luxury carmaker only made less than 1,000 of has been found in a junkyard.
The Maserati Mistral is a low-production grand tourer that spawned only 953 units.
The vehicle was produced by the auto manufacturer from 1963 to 1970 and it’s not the kind of classic you’d expect to find in a junkyard.
Nevertheless, one of the rare gems was recently discovered in an abandoned car graveyard somewhere in Britain, motors news outlet Auto Evolution reported.
When the Italian gem was unearthed earlier this week, it looked like it spent much of its life off the road.
The abandoned Mistral was a very sad sight for the car enthusiast who discovered it, especially considering how rare these cars are.
Maserati also built 125 convertible versions, which makes the vehicle found in the junkyard of cars one of 828 coupes produced.
The abandoned Maserati discovered is a right-hand-drive example, which makes it notably more rare.
There aren’t any specific numbers available, but experts estimate that only 20 to 30 units were built like the one found in the Britain junkyard.
Most classic Maseratis spend their lifetimes parked in heated garages.
The vintage Mistral was retired in a building that’s part of a large junkyard.
The huge junkyard it was found as a part of was abandoned many years ago based on how most of these vehicles appeared.
It seemed as if the Maserati may have been stripped off for restoration because it was missing quite a few parts inside and out.
Whoever owned the rare vintage ride apparently never got around to completing it.
The Mistral is now a derelict shell, according to Auto Evolution.
The auto pros with the publication said it may be salvageable.
Despite its promising appearance for restoration, the car experts say it’s the kind of project that will swallow a fortune.
The Mistral is now a highly expensive classic that sells for six figures.
The Spyder version is the most sought-after.
There are more than a handful of examples of the beloved cars having found new homes for more than $500,000.
The current record is about $934,75 for a 1967 4000 Spyder version, Auto Evolution reported.