This case will bring better understanding and update Your views of origins of Maserati Mistral and of it’s designers and bodymakers.
First of all the most basic information is that the Mistral Coupé was designed by Pietro Frua and was bodied at Martelleria Maggiora in Turin from 1963. Mr. Frua had sold his own workshop in 1957 to Ghia. It is to some extent incorrect to state that coachwork is by Frua when it is by Maggiora. Just like when Boano designed the Aurelia B20 GT but it was coachbuilt by Pinin Farina.
Now we move to Mistral Spyder. An interesting piece of informtion was stated and maintained by Maserati Classiche:
“Last but not least, regarding the Maserati Mistral Spyder we inform you that there is no mistake in the text. The coupé Mistral (2 posti) was indeed designed by Mr. Pietro Frau. The Mistral Spyder however, was not. In order to create a Spyder model out of the original Mistral model, the whole vehicle was reworked and redesigned (of course the inspiration is from the original Mistral) but the work was carried out by Mr. Giovanni Michelotti.” (Interview with Maserati Heritage)
And still the Spyder, same as with Coupé, was bodied at Maggiora, but under a different designer, Mr. Michelotti. So now it is completely incorrect to state ‘coachbuilt by Frua’ as both times the title lies with Maggiora of Turin.
