Maserati Mexico: The Forgotten Elegance of Vignale's Masterpiece
This is by far my favorite classic GT car. In the history of Maserati's great automobiles, few models encapsulate the brand's fusion of artistry, performance, and exclusivity quite like the Maserati Mexico. A grand touring coupé of impeccable pedigree, the Mexico (Tipo AM112) emerged from the fertile design minds of Vignale and the high-performance ethos of Maserati’s engineering team. Produced between 1966 and 1972, the Mexico represented an intersection of bespoke Italian craftsmanship and robust motoring capability, embodying the spirit of an era when grand touring cars ruled the road.
The Mexico owes its origins to an accident—a damaged 5000 GT chassis that was reborn as a stunning 2+2 coupé, draped in a prototype body by Virginio Vairo for Vignale's display at the 1965 Salone di Torino. The car’s commanding proportions, subtle chrome detailing, and balanced stance captured the imagination of onlookers and Maserati alike. Its subsequent sale to Mexican President Adolfo López Mateos lent the car its evocative name. By a stroke of serendipity, John Surtees's victory at the Mexican Grand Prix in a Cooper-Maserati T81 the following year cemented the model's nomenclature as more than a passing glance.
Design and Debut: A Vignale Vision Realized
The production Mexico, revealed at the 20°Concorso internazionale di eleganza per auto in Rimini in August 1966 and subsequently at the Paris Motor Show in October, was no less captivating. It borrowed the unibody chassis of the first-generation Quattroporte, shortened by 4.3 inches, to create a tauter and more dynamic profile. Styling cues included quad headlights framed in chrome shrouds, subtle fender vents, and round side markers, all offset by a flowing roofline and balanced proportions that exuded understated sophistication. Chrome rocker panel trim and bumper overriders added touches of 1960s glamor.
Inside, the Mexico set a new benchmark for opulence. Rich leather upholstery wrapped seating for four adults, while a wooden dashboard, iodine headlights, and air conditioning came as standard, embodying Maserati's ethos of luxury without compromise. Options like automatic transmission, power steering, and a radio catered to discerning clientele who demanded bespoke amenities.
Performance and Engineering: A Dual-Engine Offering
Under the hood, the Mexico delivered the choice of two V8 engines, both masterpieces of Maserati engineering. The 4.7-litre V8, fed by four twin-choke Weber 38 DCNL5 carburetors, produced 290 horsepower, propelling the car to a top speed of 240–250 km/h (149–155 mph). In a departure from Maserati tradition, a smaller 4.2-litre V8 engine became available in 1969, offering a slightly more accessible yet no less thrilling entry into Mexico ownership. Both versions came equipped with servo-assisted ventilated disc brakes—a first for a production Maserati.
Further underscoring its exclusivity, the Mexico left the factory fitted with Pirelli Cinturato 205VR15 CN72 tires, while 4.7-litre models sported Borrani chrome wire wheels and the 4.2-litre variants rolled on steel disc wheels.
Legacy: An Underappreciated Masterpiece
Over six years of production, Maserati built 485 Mexicos, with 175 powered by the 4.7-litre engine and 305 by the 4.2-litre. Despite its modest production numbers, the Mexico remains a pivotal chapter in Maserati's storied history—a car born of circumstance but refined into an icon. In the Mexico, Vignale's design, Maserati's engineering, and the era's unrelenting pursuit of beauty converged, leaving behind a legacy that, while understated, remains unmistakably grand.
Most recently, a 1970 Maserati Mexico 4.2 crossed the block on Bring a Trailer, bid up to $87,000, but unfortunately didn’t sell. And that’s a good thing. The right one, in the right condition, is easily a six figure car.
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