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Before Maserati and Fantuzzi perfected their Barchettas with cars like the 450S and 300S, sports cars loosely based off their Formula 2 efforts like the A6GCS/53 were available. With its purposeful aluminum body, Gioachino Colombo designed engine and a 4-speed transaxle it was certainly a captivating design—one that was good enough to beat Ferrari.

In 1953, Maserati updated their two litre sports car known as the A6GCS and called the Sport 2000. With similar specification to the A6GCS, many people simply called it the A6GCS/53.

This car used an updated version of the Maserati inline-6 engine originally designed by Alberto Massimino. Cast from aluminum, the block was fitted with cast-iron cylinder liners for new aluminum pistons and seven main bearings by Vandervell supported a nitrided crankshaft. Gioachino Colombo did most of this work which produced 170 from a relatively low compression of 8.75:1.

Colombo also designed an entirely new chassis from oval-tube steel. Like all the chassis of the era, it used two main longerons with cross braces. Braking was provided by large-diameter aluminum drum brakes and the suspension was too disimilar from the Forumula 2 setup used by the A6GCS single seat race car.

In total 52 examples of the A6GCS/53 were made, four of these being bodied by Pinin Farina as a striking low-roof coupe. The remaining 48 were bodied by Fantuzzi as racing spyders.

Chassis

2088-Delivered new to Scuderia Janua. Returned to factory for repairs after an accident on the Coppa d'Oro dell Dolomiti. The car was entusistically owner-driven in several events and was used for a Le Mans racing school in 1965. Eventually it was purchased by Pierre Bardinon who sent it back to Fantuzzi to replace the nose which was similar to a 200S.²

2053-Sold in October of 1953 to Ducati Motors USA. Racing in the Sebring 12 Hours to DNF and raced in many local events. Eventually it was fitted with a Chevrolet V8 and was used as a street car from 1965 to 1968 and was subsequently stored until 1989. It was subsequently restored and fitted with a replica engine. After spending some time in Japan it returned to the USA. Offered by Fantasy Junction in 2010 for $1,950,000.

Sources and Further Reading.

2. Baker, Tony. 'Maserati Sports Racers' Classic & Sports Car. September 2009.

Chassis & Sales

1954 Maserati A6 GCS Tipo MM Chassis #2065 - did not sell for $1,700,000 This fully-documented Maserati A6 GCS Tipo MM is chassis number 2065, one of a total of 52 built from 1953 through 1955. It was sold in March 1954 to Col. John Simione, a USAF pilot who settled in Europe after the war. Driven by Armand Roboly, the car immediately began compiling one of the model’s most successful competition records, including finishing first in the Coupes de Paris, second at the Coupes d’Automne in Montlhery and third place a... more
Gallery: 2011 Monterey Daytime Auction by Mecum

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