'1957 Maserati A6G 2ooo
Italian Masterpiece.
The reaction to the Maserati A6G-2000 is always the same from all but the most knowledgeable Maserati aficionados . After spying the large, gold -plated trident in the center of what may be the most beautiful grill to grace any 1950's – era Italian sports cars , and confirming that it is , in fact , a Maserati by a quick glance at the small blue emblem badge on the nose , people always ask , what model is this ? After being told it is in A6G- 2000 ( made between 1955 in 1957 ), People predictably say , I've never seen one of those before . It would be surprising if they had . One of the most captivating sports car designs in the 1950's, but no fewer than nine , and no more than a do zen , were bodied by Pietro Frua designer in Turin Italy . A quick glance though any Maserati book will produce a picture or two of this masterpiece.
While most of the cars are believed to still be in existence in one form or another , only a handful have been restored or are well-maintained . These are mostly in museums or private collections , where they rarely see the light of day . The final reason these cars are such a well kept secret is that they are not outstanding in their specifications and probably represent little more than a footnote in Maserati's long history today , Ferrari manages the company , but it was one of Italy's premier independent sports and racing car builders . Ernesto Maserati with four other founders that were involved in Italy's flourishing turn-of-the-century automotive industry . In the 1950's the legendary 250 F which 'Juan Manuel Fangio ' drove to his second Grand Prix World Championship in '1954 with his design heritage deeply embedded in the Maserati's successful '1953 A6G the 2-liter competizione . The A6G 2000 , 'Frua designed racer with it's 150 hp engine and car was one of the most successful Italian sports cars of the era . The number of cars produced in 1953 were just 59 examples , in all body styles , but the harsh fact that they were simple cars , at least in terms of performance . In spite of the lighter weight of the AG 2000 , less than 2000 pounds , 150 hp six cylinder engine . The Maserati gave up a lot to the V- 12 powered crosstown rivals . Maserati was about to embark on a racing season that can be best described as bittersweet . Fangio, had won the Grand Prix World Championship for Maserati in his beautiful and balanced 250 F . This just added to the A6G 2000 notoriety .
The A6G-2000 road car involved from the A6 GCS two–liter , sports car racer which had proven to be extremely successful both on the track and the numbers of car sold. A total of 51 cars between '1953 and '1955 built , almost mass production for Maserati's standards. Thus the A6GCS would become the foundation for Maserati's next model , the granturismo A6G 2000. Primarily the difference between the road car and the A6G racing version was under the hood. While the 2-Liter overhead cam straight-six retained many of its outside design features that link it to the 250 F Grand Prix engine , several changes were made to calm the A6G 2000 version for the street . The drive for the dual overhead cams were changed from straight–cut gears to a triple–row roller chain , and a compression ratio decreased 3/4 of a percent to 8.1. Most models retained the twin plug–per cylinder configuration of the race car, but the twin magneto's were replaced with a single distributor mounted to the rear of the right camshaft . That the distributor didn't fit was not a problem for Maserati , they simply cut a hole in the firewall and let it protrude into the passenger compartment . Triple Weber carburetors ranging in size from 36 to 40 mm were used , which along with the milder cam profile , produced 150 horsepower at 6000 RPM. This was a 20-horsepower drop from the race engine , the power at lower RPMs was better suited the A6G -2000 intended purpose.
Maserati was trying to target the American market with this series of cars , and it seems that among the various coach builders chosen for the task , ' Pedro Frua ' hit the home run . With the subtle tail fin and a thin strips of chrome on the hood and sides , combined with a somewhat heavier bridgework of the grill and trunk treatment , captured just enough of the ' fins and chrome ' look that was becoming popular with the American automotive styles . Furthermore , he did so without falling into the trap of overindulgence in trim , the fate of so many of the Detroit designers in the 1950's. The interior of the A6G was simple and elegant with a typical Italian–style 1950's instrument panel , big gauges backed by splashy fascia , and a full width dashboard painted to match the color of the car . The upholstery was in leather throughout . The last A6G-2000 chassis produced was completed on February 22, 1957. Today the Maserati A6C – 2000 can only be said to be one of Italy's most beautiful masterpieces ever created .
story by Joe conti
