1956 Maserati A6G/2000 Series II coupe Allemano

1956 Maserati A6G/2000 Series II Allemano coupe 1956 Maserati A6G/2000 Series II Coupe (A6G/54)Chassis no. XXXXXXEngine no. XXXXXXCoachwork by AllemanoIn 1954. Maserati updated its long-running A6 platform with what would prove to be the final evolution of the six-cylinder model. Replacing the A6G 2000. which had introduced a two-liter motor in favor of the original model’s 1. 00cc mill. the second-series A6G 2000 was similar enough to its predecessor in nomenclature. Conceptually. however. the new car was much different. based instead on the sports-racing A6GCS. which employed a detuned version of the firm’s Formula 2 racing engine and a competition-tuned chassis. Seeking to liven up the A6G’s rather staid road manners. Maserati equipped the new car with the racing variant’s engine and suspension. transforming the civilized A6G 2000 into a harder cornering and faster accelerating version of its former self. Maserati engineer Luigi Bellentani detuned the F2-specification 1. 85cc twin-overhead cam engine to behave reliably for everyday use. replacing the loud gear train with a more civilized triple-row timing chain. Similarly. the dry-sump lubrication system was removed and replaced with a lightweight finned alloy-case wet sump. The first handful of engines employed a modest single-plug layout similar to prior A6 roadcars. with a competition-derived twin-plug arrangement available as an option. Soon enough. however. the twin-plug arrangement essentially became a standard feature. and the specification went on to become so popular that several earlier single-plug motors were later modified to the twin-plug configuration. Also known as the A6G/54. the second-series A6G 2000 was produced in a sparing quantity of just 65 examples over three years of production before being replaced by the 3500GT. The model has the distinction of being the final Maserati roadcar with design roots attributable to the legendary Maserati brothers. Shipped as rolling chassis to customers’ coachbuilder of choice. A6G/54 examples were sometimes clothed by Zagato or Frua. but Allemano was the factory’s designated carrozzeria for the model. The Turinese firm’s subtle coupe design employed a delicately rounded tail and an arresting front grille treatment featuring the distinctive trident badge. Less flashy and more elegant than other coachbuilder’s interpretations. the Allemano coupe body was mounted on just 21 examples of the A6G/54 chassis. This Maserati is believed to be only the seventh Allemano coupe built in this style (a prototype Allemano coupe wore a slightly different interpretation of the design). and the 25th A6G/54 overall. According to factory records. the chassis was shipped to Allemano in late December 1955. and the car returned to the Maserati factory with completed coachwork the following April. A certificate of origin was issued on April 13. 1956. and as demonstrated by the original handwritten build sheets the car was equipped with three Weber 36 DO4 carburetors. Borrani wire wheels. Jaeger gauges. Cibie headlamps. and an Abarth exhaust system. The build sheet specifically mentions the use of A6GCS racing components in the front axle. steering system. and brakes. The engine also notably features the desirable competition-style twin-plug layout. ensuring superior cylinder ignition. Finished in grigio azzurro cangiante (changing light blue-grey) paint. and trimmed with a red leather interior. this A6G/54 may have been displayed at the 1956 Turin Motor Show. A very similar car was indeed photographed at the salon. which took place just a week after this car’s certificate of origin was issued. Considering that this Maserati wasn’t invoiced until July 2. the chance that it was shown at Turin remains an intriguing possibility. Shipped to Gino Tanzi. an industrialist residing in Parma. the Maserati was registered on July 6. and remained in the food executive’s possession until he moved to Venezuela two years later. While sitting on a Parma dealership showroom floor in June 1958. the car was spotted by 22-year-old Guglielmo Saviola of Bozzolo. who immediately snapped up the handsome A6G 2000. There is little doubt that Mr. Saviola drove the Maserati with the zeal of a young man. and enjoyed being one of the early owners. Purchased in October 1960 by Guerrino Lelli. a schoolteacher in Forli. the car again changed hands in September 1961. passing to Giampiero Corti of Meldola. At some point the A6G/54 was acquired for a long period of ownership by Maurizio Forleo. who sold it in May 1993 to a restoration house. Giordanengo Giovanni & Sons. of Boves. A year later. while sitting in their shop in a restored state. the car attracted the attention of well-known Maserati executives Adolfo Orsi and Ermanno Cozza. who happened to be visiting for unrelated purposes. In May 1996 the restored A6G/54 was acquired by Precar di Maganza C. & C. of Milan. who in turn sold it a year later to Giuseppe Prevosti of Carnago. This Maserati was then offered at auction in October 2007 at Battersea Park. England. where it was purchased by an American enthusiast and finally exported from its native Italian home. Then the Maserati was treated to a comprehensive restoration and research of its provenance. resulting in a highly detailed vehicle history. and copies of original factory build sheets. Returned to its original color scheme and treated to a thorough mechanical rebuild by Symbolic Motors in La Jolla. CA. the A6G 2000 attained a superlative level of condition replete with correct details such as the internally mounted fuel filler and outside-laced Borrani wire wheels. Following completion of the meticulous refurbishment. the Maserati drew a number of awards at high-profile events. including a class win at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. In 2012 the car was presented at the Dana Point Concours d’Elegance and was also featured on Jay Leno’s Garage. the popular online video show in which the famed comedian and car collector tests and discusses unique cars. In May 2014 the A6G/54 reached the pinnacle of the collectible car niche when it was exhibited at the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza. perhaps the world’s most distinguished concours d’elegance. The car has also been featured in several Italian automotive magazines and books. including the February 1956 issue of Torino Motori. the June 1956 issue of Quattroruote. and Quattroruote’s 2004 volume on the Maserati marque. Retaining its original numbers-matching engine. and refurbished to an exquisite level of detail. this rare Pebble Beach-awarded A6G/54 is among the most desirable early postwar Maseratis to become available in some time. As demonstrated by invoices. the car has been restored at great length and consideration. with factory-correct details like the single exhaust pipe. compound-curve rear glass. and trunk-mounted toolkit. With a show record consisting of the world’s most prestigious concours d’elegance. This Maserati awaits further exhibition by its next caretaker. and would beautifully complement the most accomplished sports car collections. Contact Karl Stomberg @ 713-201-0856 or @ kstomberg@gmail. com or Andy Powers @ 702-443-1123 or @ andypowers007@gmail. com