1955 Maserati A6G/54 2000 Berlinetta

There were just 60 examples of the Maserati A6G/54 models of all types produced between 1954 and 1957. These sports cars were given coachwork from some of the finest Italian carrozzerie of the day, including Allemano, Frua, Pinin Farina and Zagato. Each coachbuilder had their own distinct flair and highly individual interpretation of the A6G. 21 examples were bodied by Zagato and each were essentially a one-off design.

This car is chassis number 2105 and was among the earliest Zagato-bodied A6G/54 model produced. It was constructed in the first group of six chassis sent to the coachbuilder. It was the third Zagato-bodied A6G/54 completed and was finished in jet black livery with a white nose and roof stripe. It is believed to be the first Zagato-bodied A6G/54 Berlinetta to be exhibited at a motor show. It sat alongside its sister, chassis 2103, a Frua-bodied Berlinetta, also finished in black, at the 1955 Turin Motor Show.

The car was sold to Kenneth Simpson of Santa Barbara, California for the sum of $7,300. After Mr. Simpson's ownership, it is believed that the car spent time with owners in Georgia and Texas, and at some point it was in the care of Stan Nowak. Mr. Nowak sold the car in 1977 to Paul Kunkel. The current owner purchased the car in December of 2001 as a restoration project. After the work was completed, the car was finished in the original black and white color combination. The correct full-width aluminum bumpers were also fitted. It has the correct black vinyl seats with cream piping. The dashboard and door panels are finished in a contrasting cream color and accented with black trim, stunning black-faced Jaeger instruments, a period-correct radio and jewel-like hardware. There is a wood-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel, and exposed shift gate. The car rides on outside-laced Borrani wire wheels with period-correct tires, and Marchal headlamps.

After the completion of the restoration work, the car was invited to Zagato's 85th Anniversary exhibition at Villa Erba in Cernobbio, Italy, and was subsequently displayed at the factory showroom in Modena during Maserati's 90th anniversary celebration.

In 2010, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, CA. It had an estimated value of $1,400,000 - $1,800,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $1,595,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2010