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, 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 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 Weber carburetors delivered to. It was developed by Alberto Massimino and Vittorio Bellentani.
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 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

ClassDateRaceDriverPositionTeam
World Championship F29/195223rd Gran Premio d´ItaliaJosé Froilán González2Officine Alfieri Maserati
World Championship F21/19531st Gran Premio de la Rep. ArgentinaJosé Froilán González3Officine Alfieri Maserati
World Championship F26/19534th Grote Prijs van NederlandFelice Bonetto3Officine Alfieri Maserati
World Championship F26/195315th Grand Prix de BelgiqueOnofre Marimón3Officine Alfieri Maserati
World Championship F27/195311th Grand Prix de l´ACFJuan Manuel Fangio2Officine Alfieri Maserati
World Championship F27/195311th Grand Prix de l´ACFJosé Froilán González3Officine Alfieri Maserati
World Championship F27/19536 RAC British Grand PrixJuan Manuel Fangio2Officine Alfieri Maserati
World Championship F28/195316th Grosser Preis von DeutschlandJuan Manuel Fangio2Officine Alfieri Maserati
World Championship F29/195324th Gran Premio d´ItaliaJuan Manuel Fangio1Officine Alfieri Maserati
Non-championship F29/19523rd Gran Premio di ModenaJosé Froilán González2Officine Alfieri Maserati
Non-championship F23/19533rd Gran Premio di SiracusaEmmanuel de Graffenried1Enrico Platé
Non-championship F24/19535th Lavant Cup GoodwoodEmmanuel de Graffenried1Privateer
Non-championship F25/19536th Gran Premio di NapoliJuan Manuel Fangio2Officine Alfieri Maserati
Non-championship F25/19536th Gran Premio di NapoliJosé Froilán González3Officine Alfieri Maserati
Non-championship F25/195317th Internationales ADAC EifelrennenEmmanuel de Graffenried1Privateer
Non-championship F29/19534th Gran Premio di ModenaJuan Manuel Fangio1Officine Alfieri Maserati
Non-championship F29/19534th Gran Premio di ModenaOnofre Marimón2Officine Alfieri Maserati
Non-championship F29/19534th Gran Premio di ModenaEmmanuel de Graffenried3Officine Alfieri Maserati
F26/195424th Grand Prix des FrontiéresPrince Bira1Privateer
Non-championship F11/195411th Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos AiresRoberto Miéres2Privateer
Non-championship F14/195415th Grand Prix Automobile de PauRoberto Miéres3Officine Alfieri Maserati
Non-championship F16/195413th Gran Premio di RomaHarry Schell2Privateer
Non-championship F18/195423rd Circuito di PescaraHarry Schell3Privateer