Description
This car is Lot 119 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at The Goodwood Auction on Saturday September 13th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Friday September 12 from 09:00 until 17:00, Saturday September 13 from 09:00 at The Goodwood Revival.
Lot 119
1956 Maserati A6G/ 54 2000GT Coupé
Registration no. 208 XVP
Chassis no. 2170
One of only 21 bodied by Allemano out of 60 made
Delivered new to the USA
An older restoration
Present ownership since 2007
Completed the Mile Miglia Retrospective in 2010
UK registered since 2021
When post-war production resumed in 1947, as well as continuing in its traditional role as builder of Grand Prix cars, Maserati commenced the manufacture of sports-racing and road cars. Its first true road-going model - the A6 1500 - made its sensational public debut at the 1947 Geneva Salon, where the Pinin Farina-bodied coupé was well received by both press and public. The A6 1500's engine was a 1, 488cc single-overhead-camshaft six, similar to the A6GCS sports car's 2. 0-litre unit. Its chassis was of the ladder frame type, the double-wishbone front suspension was derived from racing practice and coil springs suspended the live rear axle.
In 1954 Maserati introduced the A6G/ 54, which was clearly aimed at customers seeking to combine everyday road-going practicality with occasional competition use. The first A6G/ 54 made its debut at the 1954 Paris Salon, wearing coupé coachwork by Carrozzeria Frua. The A6G engine was an in-line six-cylinder with twin overhead camshafts and bore/ stroke dimensions of 76. 5x72mm for a displacement of 1, 986cc. Equipped with three twin-choke Weber carburettors, it delivered a claimed 150bhp at 6, 000rpm. Dry weight was around 840kg (1, 848lb) and maximum speed in the region of 195-210km/ h (120-130mph). The A6G/ 54's tubular chassis was similar to that of its predecessor's but incorporated improved suspension and A6GCS inspired steering and brakes. Twin-plug ignition, which this car has, was introduced in 1956, increasing maximum power to around 158bhp.
Bodies were commissioned from Zagato (20 coupés and one spyder), Frua (six coupés and 12 spyders) and Allemano (21 coupés). Maserati designated them 'Tipo A' for the Frua spyder, 'Tipo B' for the Frua coupé, 'Tipo C' for the Allemano coupé and 'Tipo D' for the Zagato Coupé, the latter being a lightweight version intended for racing in the GT category. Frua had enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Maserati but the Turin-based coachbuilder was slow to introduce new styles, preferring quirky embellishments of existing designs, and delivery times were lengthy. Zagato's Spartan, competition orientated offerings were not to everyone's taste either, so Maserati looked for an alternative, which it found in Serafino Allemano, another Torinese coachbuilder.
Soberly attractive, Allemano's coupés are characterised by fine and accurate workmanship, fully in accordance with Maserati's policy of building highly prestigious grand touring cars. Luxury accessories such as a radio, a Smiths heating system, and fitted luggage for the boot compartment emphasised the move towards a high quality product.
According to Maserati, chassis number '2170' was built on a 2, 550mm wheelbase with an engine upgraded by the factory and fitted with triple Weber 40 DCO3 carburettors with unfiltered trumpets. Allemano's bodywork featured a steel roof and wings, and doors, bonnet and boot panels in aluminium. The car was painted Grigio (Grey) with leather trimmed seats in Blu (Blue) and a wood-rim steering wheel. It was fitted from new with large ventilated drum brakes all round and Borrani knock-on/ knock-off outside-lace wire-spoked road wheels.
Faxes on file dated 8th May 2007 from Ermanno Cozza of Maserati SpA Consulenza Storica state that the car was intended for competition purposes and shipped in November 1956 to its first owner, a Mr Edward Jahns in Los Angeles, USA. After its US ownership, the Maserati was acquired by Lord Charles Brocket in 1989, and in April 1997 was sold at Brooks' Olympia auction as a restoration project. The purchaser was Mr Jon Cruikshank of Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia, from whom it was bought by the current owner in June 2007. The Maserati A6G is eligible for the Mille Miglia Retrospective, and '2170' completed that prestigious event with its current owner in 2010. The car has been UK registered since April 2021.
An Automobili Maserati manufacturing plate correctly records the chassis and engine numbers as '2170', while the odometer total was 66, 668 miles when photographed recently for the catalogue.
Allemano 'A' logos are present on both flanks, together with correct 'Maserati 2000GT' badge on the boot panel and 'Carrozzeria Allemano Torino' badge on the upper face of the rear registration plate frame. Even its period-correct transparent Perspex sun-visors are still present. Repainted many years ago, the car still presents well cosmetically.
Two years ago, with the battery fully trickle-charged, the engine started promptly and, on a drive around West London streets, the car was certainly fully working. Having been inactive in dry storage since then, the car has been recommissioned in the Norfolk workshops of Maserati specialists Steve Hart Restoration & Race Preparation prior to the auction. The battery has been tested/ renewed; the 12 spark plugs and points cleaned and gapped; the engine started and run; and the drum brakes serviced so the wheels rotate freely.
This car is well illustrated in the definitive Maserati A6G 2000 hardback reference book by Walter Baumer, which includes a full page photograph of '2170' being road tested in the hills around San Francisco in 1957 for the North American Motor Trend magazine, as well as other photographs taken at the Pomona circuit paddock in 1987 and later in the current ownership. Accompanying paperwork includes copies of the current V5C Registration Certificate and FIVA Passport.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
