1950 Maserati A6/1500 Berlinetta

This Maserati A6 1500 Pininfarina Coupe is one of the last ten A6 1500s built, out of 60 total, and one of very few without semaphores. In March 1950, this car was delivered as a rolling chassis to Carrozzeria Pininfarina in Turin. Three months later the car's body was completed and delivered to Maserati's Rome agency, Gugliemo Dei before the end of 1950. In 1951 it was sold to Catullo del Monte of Rome, but he only owned it for a short time. It was sold to an American in 1952 who was living in Rome and then exported to the United States a few years later and has had several owners over the years. It is powered by a straight-six long-stroke engine with a single overhead camshaft and a single carburetor producing 65 horsepower from a 1.5-liter power plant. Performance ranged from 146 to 154 kph (91 to 96 mph), depending on the reduction ratio. The first prototype sported a strikingly modern two-seat coupe body designed by Pininfarina which was toned down only slightly by the coachbuilder for the start of the actual production run. Styling evolved from early two-seat notchback coupes, with an optional Plexiglas sunroof, to 2+2 fastback versions and a convertible.