The basic concept for the car, drawn up by owner Adolfo Orsi and designer Giulio Alfieri, was that of a fast GT that would be interesting to drive but also comfortable and practical for everyday use. Many famous customers adopted the 3500 GT, including Prince Rainier III of Monaco, tenor Giuseppe di Stefano, actors Alberto Sordi, Tony Curtis, Stewart Granger, Rock Hudson and Anthony Quinn. Franco Cornacchia – an amateur racing driver who became Maserati’s representative in Milan – regularly drove the 3500 GTs between Milan and Modena on the Autostrada del Sole, setting a toll record of 39 minutes over some 160 km. From 1961, Lucas fuel injection became available as an option on the Maserati 3500 GT, under the name 3500 GTi, which then gained 15 bhp.