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.

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

Maserati A6GCM

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

Maserati A6GCM "interim" or A6SSG wearing the Siam racing colors, those of Prince Bira

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 grill. 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.

With 151 race starts and 81 race finishes, with 23 podiums and 6 Grand Prix race wins, the A6GCM has had an exceptional track record supported by exceptional drivers.

Note: when Maserati competed in its home town, Modena, in 1953, it managed to finish in the top three positions.

Podium finishes

Class	Date	Race	Driver	Position	Team
World Championship F2	9/1952	23rd Gran Premio d´Italia	José Froilán González	2	Officine Alfieri Maserati
World Championship F2	1/1953	1st Gran Premio de la Rep. Argentina	José Froilán González	3	Officine Alfieri Maserati
World Championship F2	6/1953	4th Grote Prijs van Nederland	Felice Bonetto	3	Officine Alfieri Maserati
World Championship F2	6/1953	15th Grand Prix de Belgique	Onofre Marimón	3	Officine Alfieri Maserati
World Championship F2	7/1953	11th Grand Prix de l´ACF	Juan Manuel Fangio	2	Officine Alfieri Maserati
World Championship F2	7/1953	11th Grand Prix de l´ACF	José Froilán González	3	Officine Alfieri Maserati
World Championship F2	7/1953	6 RAC British Grand Prix	Juan Manuel Fangio	2	Officine Alfieri Maserati
World Championship F2	8/1953	16th Grosser Preis von Deutschland	Juan Manuel Fangio	2	Officine Alfieri Maserati
World Championship F2	9/1953	24th Gran Premio d´Italia	Juan Manuel Fangio	1	Officine Alfieri Maserati
Non-championship F2	9/1952	3rd Gran Premio di Modena	José Froilán González	2	Officine Alfieri Maserati
Non-championship F2	3/1953	3rd Gran Premio di Siracusa	Emmanuel de Graffenried	1	Enrico Platé
Non-championship F2	4/1953	5th Lavant Cup Goodwood	Emmanuel de Graffenried	1	Privateer
Non-championship F2	5/1953	6th Gran Premio di Napoli	Juan Manuel Fangio	2	Officine Alfieri Maserati
Non-championship F2	5/1953	6th Gran Premio di Napoli	José Froilán González	3	Officine Alfieri Maserati
Non-championship F2	5/1953	17th Internationales ADAC Eifelrennen	Emmanuel de Graffenried	1	Privateer
Non-championship F2	9/1953	4th Gran Premio di Modena	Juan Manuel Fangio	1	Officine Alfieri Maserati
Non-championship F2	9/1953	4th Gran Premio di Modena	Onofre Marimón	2	Officine Alfieri Maserati
Non-championship F2	9/1953	4th Gran Premio di Modena	Emmanuel de Graffenried	3	Officine Alfieri Maserati
(Non-championship) F2	6/1954	24th Grand Prix des Frontiéres	Prince Bira	1	Privateer
Non-championship F1	1/1954	11th Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires	Roberto Miéres	2	Privateer
Non-championship F1	4/1954	15th Grand Prix Automobile de Pau	Roberto Miéres	3	Officine Alfieri Maserati
Non-championship F1	6/1954	13th Gran Premio di Roma	Harry Schell	2	Privateer
Non-championship F1	8/1954	23rd Circuito di Pescara	Harry Schell	3	Privateer