In the late 1930s and the immediate postwar era, Maserati dominated the realm of small displacement sports and open-wheel formula cars. Transitioning swiftly from the 4-cylinder formula vehicles of the 1930s, Maserati engineered the 1.5-liter 6-cylinder A6G with various bore/stroke configurations, featuring both single and double overhead camshafts. They meticulously crafted single and double ignition cylinder heads to extract maximum performance from their engines.
The A6GCS sports cars and A6GCM monopostos consistently proved their mettle on the track, attracting the attention of discerning buyers. In 1954, Maserati unveiled the A6G/54 (later known as A6G/2000) Gran Turismo, a thinly disguised racing machine adorned with broader, more comfortable bodywork crafted by esteemed coachbuilders like Pinin Farina, Frua, Allemano, and Zagato.
With an over-square bore and stroke measuring 76.5mm x 72mm, Maserati’s engine design pushed the boundaries of its time, delivering reliable high-speed performance at 6,000 rpm. This prowess positioned 2-liter Maseratis as formidable contenders against larger engines from rivals like Jaguar, Aston Martin, and even Ferrari.
1956 marked a significant year for Maserati, witnessing not only the continued success of the A6G race cars but also the debut of the legendary 250F grand prix monoposto. Piloted by racing icons such as Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss, the 250F emerged as the primary challenger to Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari GP cars, elevating Maserati’s profile and bringing the A6G/2000 to a broader audience.
Source: Bonhams
