At some point in time this car was for sale with Simon Kidston
Chassis AM 109 S1 635 was delivered new in 1966 to a typical Maserati client of the period, the young scion of a Greek shipping family, Basil Phrixos Papachristidis. The Hellespont Group began life as Papachristidis Maritime Inc., a Montreal-based, Canadian-flag deep-sea and Great Lakes shipping company. It was founded by Basil Papachristidis’s father, Phrixos B Papachristidis in 1946.
The spyder came with the desirable 3.7-litre engine, Borrani wire wheels and a five-speed manual gearbox. The colour of Rosso Capannelle – a name inspired by the deep red wines of Chianti – set off Pietro Frua’s masterpiece of styling to perfection, contrasting wonderfully with the interior in crisp Bianco.
Papachristidis’s Mistral Spyder was registered in Bologna, Italy on ‘EE’ (for Escursionisti Esteri, temporary export) plates as ‘EE 02396’. These were valid for no longer than one year.
In 1985 the car was exported to the USA, where the current Italian owner bought it in 1998. Since than it has been well maintained and benefits from ongoing sympathetic and gentle maintenance. It currently runs on Weber carburettors.
Currently presented in cared-for but not concours condition, the elegant convertible is in fine mechanical fettle and represents an opportunity for sun-seekers to enjoy the Dolce Vita in true Italian style.