Painting chrome parts black was an old (and rough) trick to cover up rust spots that had started to compromise the chrome. It was a cheap fix for cheap cars (at the time).

But this is no ordinary car: it’s one of about 450 Mistrals equipped with the ultimate version of Maserati’s legendary inline six-cylinder engine with dual ignition. Conceived in the years just after World War II, this racing-derived engine — with its glorious sound — became the trademark of the Trident marque. In this particular version, equipped with MFI, it produced 255 hp: an astronomical figure for a European car of the time, when the average family sedan had around 60–70 hp.

The seller claims the car is matching numbers — and we like that. From the photos, it appears the radiator is missing, but the beautiful and rare Borrani wire wheels are still present: they won’t be cheap to restore, but certainly better than having to buy them. The aluminum bodywork seems to be in good condition (though you should always strip it bare to be sure — trust us), and the interior appears complete. In short, the restoration will definitely be expensive, but given the car, there shouldn’t be any major surprises. Find it for sale at $56,500 here in Astoria, NY.