1955 Maserati A6G/54 2000 Berlinetta

Carrozzeria Frua completed fewer than 20 bodies for Maserati's A6G/2000 chassis, with production of spiders far outweighing that of berlinettas. Pietro Frua's designed A6G/2000 Berlinetta were notable for their rear-quarter window treatment, graceful propritons and handcrafted details. Unlike Zagato and Allemano, who only built closed bodies for the A6G/2000 chassis, Frua fashion both berlinettas and spiders. In total, it is belived that just four berlinettas in this style were completed.

This particular example, chassis number 2114, was completed by Gilco - the company assembling bare chassis frames for Maserati and Ferrari - in mid-1955 and later delivered to the Maserati works in Modena, Italy, where it was mated with the twin-plug, dual overhead camshaft engine. It came equipped with high-performance accessories, including Marelli coils, Weber carburetors, outside-lace Ruote Borrani wire wheels, Abarth exhaust and Pirelli Stelvio tires.

The completed chassis was delivered to Carrozzeria Frua in Torino. It was finished in black and the interior upholstered in nocciola (hazel) leather. It was given fashionable continental accessories, including a Smiths heater to Jaeger instruments and Cibie headlights.

The car made its public debut on November 6th of 1955 at the 42nd Annual Paris Auto Salon. It was displayed alongside two other A6G/200s, 2113 (Zagato Berlinetta) and 2111 (Allemano Coupe).

After the car's show duties were completed, the car returned to Maserati, where it was prepared for delivery to its first owner. On December 9th of 1955, it was invoiced to official Maserati importer Simone & Thepenier at Garage Mirabeau in Paris. By the close of the year, the car had been sold to its first owner, Grueder Stebon. Mr. Stebon retained the car for approximately 25 years, transferring into the ownership of his son Andre in 1975.

In 1980, the car was purchased by Italian car dealer Richard Crump. Four years later, it was sold to Anthony MacLean, a Swiss collector. Shortly after acquiring the car, Mr. MacLean commissioned a comprehensive mechanical rebuild. During the restoration process, the car was traded to Mr. Pas. For more than a decade, the car remained in static storage. In 1999, UK collector Andrew Green became the car's next owner. Between 2000 and 2002, the car underwent a restoration in Hertfordshire, England. When the restoration process began, the car displayed just 23,000 km. Over the years, the coachwork had been repainted red and the interior re-trimmed and the grille modified. When the red paint was stripped away, a single layer of black was revealed. After the restoration work was completed, the car was finished in correct brush-painted black underseal and the coachwork painted in black cellulose.

Several subtle improvements were added during the restoration to ensure reliable performance and increased flexibility. The list includes a new crankshaft and connecting rods along with custom-made valve guides and re-profiled camshafts. The engine block - presumed to be an original factory replacement unit - did not display a serial number. So it was stamped with 2114/2.

The restoration process took two years to complete. When completed, it was awarded a well-deserved First Prize at the Maserati Club Annual Concours d'Elegance at Stanford Hall on May 26th of 2002. In 2003, it was displayed at Goodwood and the Maserati Club UK's exhibition at the Classic car Show at Birmingham's NEC, where it was awarded the Special Prize.

In 2011, the car was sold to Jason 'Jay' Kay.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Concours auction. The car was estimated to sell for $1,500,000 - $2,000,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $1,650,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2012