1954 Maserati A6 GCS Spyder

Maserati's postwar racing models significantly improved business for the company during the early 1950s. The first 6-cylinder model, the A6, was enlarged from 1500cc to 2-liters and given the name A6G, and then, in 1953, the engine was updated and tuned by Gioacchino Colombo, resulting in the more powerful 170 horsepower A6GCS, where the CS stood for Corsa Sport.

The famous Gioacchino Colombo, known for his work with Ferrari, joined Maserati in 1953. The Maserati A6GCS was produced from 1953 through 1955 with a total of 52 examples constructed - 48 were open spyders. The new car featured a new tubular chassis built by the engineering company Gilco in Milan.

The little 2-liter Barchetta won numerous races, including the 1953 Mille Miglia where it debuted, and where the Maserati cars finished first and second in class and third overall against brutal competition from the Mercedes and Ferrari teams. The A6GCS also had success at the Targa Florio and at Pescara as well as elsewhere in Italy, South America and the United Kingdom.

It was bodied by Carrozzeria Frua for the amateur Italian race driver Siro Sbraci. This car was built in 1954, and its first race was the 1955 Mille Miglia, where it finished in twelfth place and third in class. The car was imported into the United States and used for SCCS racing in the 1960s. After it retired, the car was purchased by Fred Simeone, who sold it to its current owner in 2001. The A6GCS has recently been restored to its condition and livery at the 1955 Mille Miglia.