1950 Maserati A6GCS 2000 Monofaro Monoposto

This Maserati was ordered in October 1950 by the Automovel Club do Brasil. It is chassis number 2012 and is nearly identical in appearance to its sister car, chassis number 2019, with the exception of having two seats upholstered in Verde (coachwork finished in Giallo) instead of a single bench seat as fitted in #2019. This A6GCS was driven to a class victory in January 1951 at the Gran Premio di Interlagos by its first owner, Mario Valentin Dos Santos. It is believed that this Maserati competed in several other races in Brazil and Argentina during the early 1950s, earning a 6th-place finish at the Circuito Quinta da Boa Vista in February 1952. Annuar de Goes Daquer is believed to have piloted this Maserati in many of its competition outings.

Sometime during 1952, the Maserati returned to the factory, where its engine was rebuilt with the original head being removed and replaced with a dual-overhead-cam (bialbero) component with single ignition and an unusual cam design where the linguette rested inside of the head's V shape. This is believed to have been Maserati's first dual-overhead-cam engine head.

When the work was completed, the A6GCS 2000 was returned to Mr. Dos Santos in Brazil, and it presumably returned to a life of racing in South American events.

British enthusiast Colin Crabbe discovered the Maserati in 1972 in a São Paulo yard wearing a rosso paint scheme with its original nose having been modified with an egg-crate grille. After acquiring the Maserati, Mr. Crabbe had it shipped to the United Kingdom, where it was acquired in 1973 by Alan Smith of Derby. A restoration was planned, but only minimal measures were taken before it was sold in 1977 to dealer Danny Margulies, and a year later, the car passed through a proxy to Sid Colberg. Mr. Colberg would retain the car for twenty-six years and during that time, treated it to a restoration. The work began in the U.K. with the correction of the coachwork by Grand Prix Metalcraft in North London. Ted Bailey of Bourne, Lincolnshire, performed the mechanical refurbishment.

In 1980, the Maserati was shipped to San Francisco, where Phil Reilly & Co. in Corte Madera, California, continued the mechanical sorting. After the work was completed, Mr. Colberg campaigned the car in vintage events and rallies that included the Monterey Historics and the 1986 Mille Miglia Storica.

In 2004, the car was sold to its current taker, who would own it for eighteen years before offering it for sale at auction (RM Sothebys Amelia Island sale in 2023). Although in fine condition, the new owner commissioned a comprehensive restoration that included a freshening of the engine by Leydon Restorations in Pennsylvania. The Maserati was used in several events, including the 2005 Mille Miglia Storica and the 2006 Fall Festival at Lime Rock.

In 2007, the engine, gearbox, and steering system were rebuilt by Nino Epifani in Northern California. Additionally, the driveshaft, universal joint, and fuel tank were refurbished.

In 2010 the car participated in the Tutto Italiano. In May 2021, the Monofaro was entrusted to the specialists at Candini Classiche in Modena, Italy, where new purpose-designed pistons were installed. The head was fitted with new valves, guides, and springs, and new megacycle cams were installed.

This Maserati A6GCS 2000 'Monofaro' is one of fourteen to fifteen examples built and one of eight examples known to survive.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2023