Maserati

Maserati A6GCM

The Maserati A6GCM is a single seater racing car from the Italian manufacturer Maserati. Developed for Formula Two, 12 cars were built between 1951 and 1953.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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Introduction

The A6GCM belongs to the A6 family of Maserati vehicles which comprised many models from street cars to racing cars. The name of the car is derived as follows: A6 : the name of the series : A for Alfieri (Maserati), 6 for 6 cylinders G : Ghisa, the engine block was in cast iron C : Corsa, for Racing M : Monoposto, for single seater. The Tipo6 CS (Corsa Sportivo: barchetta) has been spotted as a good contender even in front of single seaters in Formula 2, despite its small engine. Thus Maserati decided to develop a specific model that would meet the new FIA racing rules.

Design

The inline 6-cylinder two-liter engine with DOHC and 12 valves, 3 two-barrel (twin choke) Weber carburetors delivered 160 hp (120 kW) to 197 hp (147 kW). It was developed by Alberto Massimino and Vittorio Bellentani. Initially with a 1,987 cc (121.3 cu in) capacity (72.6 mm × 80 mm (2.86 in × 3.15 in), with a compression ratio of 13.5 :1) delivering 160 hp (120 kW), in 1951 and 1952 Then 1,988 cc (121.3 cu in) capacity (75 mm × 75 mm (2.95 in × 2.95 in), with a compression ratio of 13.5 :1, with twin ignition) delivering 180 hp (130 kW), in late 1952 And finally with a 1,970 cc (120 cu in) capacity 76.2 mm × 72 mm (3.00 in × 2.83 in), with a compression ratio of 12 :1, with twin ignition) delivering 197 hp (147 kW), in 1953. The engine was mated to a 4-speed gearbox. The frame was developed by Medardo Fantuzzi. The car was bodied in aluminum and weighed 550–570 kg (1,210–1,260 lb), depending on the engine installed. The rigid rear axle employed cantilevered leaf springs combined with Houdaille shock absorbers; in front, coil springs are used also combined with Houdaille shock absorbers. The brakes are hydraulic driven drums. The initial wheelbase was 2,280 mm (90 in); this was extended to 2,310 mm (91 in) in the later version. The front track was initially 1,278 mm (50.3 in) and was reduced to 1,200 mm (47 in) as the car received larger wheels in its later version. The rear track received the same treatment going from 1,225 mm (48.2 in) to 1,160 mm (46 in). The spoked wheels were initially 4 in × 15 in (100 mm × 380 mm), replaced by 5 in × 16 in (127.000 mm × 406.400 mm), in 1953.

Evolution

The 1953 version was the work of Gioacchino Colombo who modified the car significantly: now with a nearly 200 hp (150 kW) engine, new suspension and improved brakes. The body was also reworked and made narrower and the car received an oval front grille. This version is known as the "interim" A6GCM or A6SSG. The A6GCM foreshadowed the next model: the 250F. In fact several of the later A6GCMs, produced in late 1952 and 1953, were converted to 250Fs in 1954.

Results

The same model raced in Formula One races and in Formula Two, in races which counted for the World Championship as well as in non-championship events, as it was often the case in the early 1950s. The A6GCM achieved 151 race starts, 81 race finishes, 23 podiums, and 6 Grand Prix victories, demonstrating a strong track record with the support of skilled drivers. Note: when Maserati competed in its home town, Modena, in 1953, it managed to finish in the top three positions. Podium finishes.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q258388CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maserati_A6GCMCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1370556073 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maserati_A6GCM_1.jpgCC BY 2.0 · Photo: asopuma from Paris, France · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.