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

The inline 6-cylinder two-liter engine with DOHC and 12 valves, 3 two-barrel (twin choke) Weber carburetors delivered to . It was developed by Alberto Massimino and Vittorio Bellentani. Initially with a capacity (, with a compression ratio of 13.5 :1) delivering , in 1951 and 1952 Then capacity (, with a compression ratio of 13.5 :1, with twin ignition) delivering , in late 1952 And finally with a capacity , with a compression ratio of 12 :1, with twin ignition) delivering , 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 , 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 ; this was extended to in the later version. The front track was initially and was reduced to as the car received larger wheels in its later version. The rear track received the same treatment going from to . The spoked wheels were initially , replaced by , in 1953.

Evolution

The 1953 version was the work of Gioacchino Colombo who modified the car significantly: now with a nearly 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

Class DateRaceDriverPositionTeamWorld Championship F29/195223rd Gran Premio d´Italia José Froilán González 2Officine Alfieri MaseratiWorld Championship F21/19531st Gran Premio de la Rep. ArgentinaJosé Froilán González 3Officine Alfieri MaseratiWorld Championship F26/19534th Grote Prijs van Nederland Felice Bonetto 3Officine Alfieri MaseratiWorld Championship F26/195315th Grand Prix de Belgique Onofre Marimón 3Officine Alfieri MaseratiWorld Championship F27/195311th Grand Prix de l´ACF Juan Manuel Fangio 2Officine Alfieri MaseratiWorld Championship F27/195311th Grand Prix de l´ACF José Froilán González 3Officine Alfieri MaseratiWorld Championship F27/19536 RAC British Grand Prix Juan Manuel Fangio 2Officine Alfieri MaseratiWorld Championship F28/195316th Grosser Preis von Deutschland Juan Manuel Fangio 2Officine Alfieri MaseratiWorld Championship F29/195324th Gran Premio d´Italia Juan Manuel Fangio 1Officine Alfieri MaseratiNon-championship F29/19523rd Gran Premio di Modena José Froilán González 2Officine Alfieri MaseratiNon-championship F23/19533rd Gran Premio di Siracusa Emmanuel de Graffenried 1Enrico PlatéNon-championship F24/19535th Lavant Cup Goodwood Emmanuel de Graffenried 1PrivateerNon-championship F25/19536th Gran Premio di Napoli Juan Manuel Fangio 2Officine Alfieri MaseratiNon-championship F25/19536th Gran Premio di Napoli José Froilán González 3Officine Alfieri MaseratiNon-championship F25/195317th Internationales ADAC Eifelrennen Emmanuel de Graffenried 1PrivateerNon-championship F29/19534th Gran Premio di Modena Juan Manuel Fangio 1Officine Alfieri MaseratiNon-championship F29/19534th Gran Premio di Modena Onofre Marimón 2Officine Alfieri MaseratiNon-championship F29/19534th Gran Premio di Modena Emmanuel de Graffenried 3Officine Alfieri Maserati(Non-championship) F26/195424th Grand Prix des Frontiéres Prince Bira 1PrivateerNon-championship F11/195411th Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires Roberto Miéres 2PrivateerNon-championship F14/195415th Grand Prix Automobile de Pau Roberto Miéres 3Officine Alfieri MaseratiNon-championship F16/195413th Gran Premio di Roma Harry Schell 2PrivateerNon-championship F18/195423rd Circuito di Pescara Harry Schell 3Privateer

Technical information

A6GCM 1951/1952 Late 1952 1953 engine 6-cylinder inline engine, crankcase made of light alloy displacement bore × stroke 72.6mm × 80mm 75mm × 75mm 76.2mm × 72mm compression ratio 13.5:1 12:1 Power at 1/min at 6500 rpm at 7300 rpm at 8000 rpm valve control two overhead camshaftn / 2 valves per cylinder Carburettor 3 × Weber 38DOC03 Fuel Mixture of 85% methyl alcohol, 10% acetone and 5% pure benzene cooling Water, with centrifugal pump and cooler transmission 4-speed, 1 reverse gear, multi-plate dry clutch brakes drum brake front and rearShock absorber Houdaille lever shock absorbers front and rear Front suspension Independent suspension, coil springs rear suspension Rigid axle, leaf springs body and frame Tubular steel frame Wheelbase 2280mm 2310mm Track width front / rear 1278mm / 1200mm 1225mm / 1160mm curb weight (without driver) 760 kg 750 kg tank capacity 160 l 200 l top speed 250-280 km/h

References

External links