Berlinetta
Chassis number: 059

From the very beginning, the brothers Maserati would demonstrate an incredible talent developing automobiles. Having gained experience preparing and tuning Isotta Fraschinis for racing purposes, the brothers, Alfieri, Ettore and Ernesto, would follow a path quite similar to another Italian. Unfortunately, the brothers' talents would be better practiced developing and producing automobiles than business. Sadly, they would need help just to survive. With the help, the brothers could put their efforts to work. Following the Second World War, those talents would produce some truly inspiring results.

Following the Second World War, the Maserati brothers would resume building grand prix cars and would continue to be quite successful. Their talents and gifts would also branch out into building racing sports cars and, even, road cars for production.

Road cars were something the Maserati brothers knew very little about in reality. They knew racing cars, production cars not so much. Still, they had the skills; they just needed to let them come forth.

The strength of Maserati's builds were their chassis. They would approach this new endeavor the same they had any other project, and the result would be no less. Known as the A6, the chassis would be a strong foundation for Maserati's first road car. Powered by a 1.5-liter inline 6-cylinder engine capable of producing 65hp, the A6 was a capable design.

What the brothers could produce in function, Pininfarina would clothe with form, creating a striking Berlinetta that would be hailed when the car made its debut at the 1947 Geneva Salon.

Beloved for its spritely performance, attention to quality and detailed with luxury, the A6 1500 would serve as a strong foundation for the years to come.

Chassis 059 would be one of those landmark Maserati A6 1500s. Its place in Maserati's history is important as it would be just the ninth example of a total of 61 that would ever be produced between 1947 and 1951. Another rare and intriguing note about this chassis is that it is believed to be the only one ever fitted with a Pinin Farina Berlinetta body on the longer A6 wheelbase chassis.

The car would be completed during the first half of the 1949 season and would end up being delivered in July of that same year. Finished in dark red Amaterro, the Berlinetta would be purchased by a Mr. Americo Giol of San Polo di Piave.

Giol would own the car for an unknown period of time, long enough for his brother to be inspired to purchase the same, his chassis would be 078.

At some point, chassis 059 would make its way to the United States, and then the United Kingdom. This would happen during the 1970s and then into the 1980s. Then, in 1993, the Maserati would return home, to Italy.

The late 1990s would see the Maserati undergo restoration and then be sold to a collector in Japan. This collector would be taken by the achievement of the Maserati brothers and recognized just where the car needed to be. Therefore, in 2003, the A6 1500 would take part in the special event, La Festa Mille Miglia.

For more than a decade the Maserati would remain in the care of the Japanese collector. Then, in 2010, the car would change hands being sold to its current owner.

One of just 61 to ever be produced, and from a period of production when Italian car making was just rebuilding from the war, this particular car is of a vintage rarely seen. Coming with a FIVA Identity Card and Maserati factory build records, this Maserati is truly one of a kind.

Offered as part of Bonhams' 2015 Quail Lodge auction, the 1949 Maserati A6 1500 Berlinetta would be a welcome addition earning a sales price, inclusive of buyer's premium, of $312,888.90.

by Jeremy McMullen

Berlinetta
Chassis number: 059

Alfieri Maserati, along with brothers Ettore and Ernesto, founded Società Anonima Officine Alfieri Maserati in Bologna in December of 1914. They specialized in the tuning and preparation of Isotta Fraschinis for road racing. Their first Grand Prix car was built in the early 1920s which formed the basis of the very first Maserati, the Tipo 26 of 1926. They enjoyed some success during the 1930s but their most remarkable early achievement was when Wilbur Shaw won the Indianapolis 500 in 1939 and 1940.

The first true Maserati road model was the A6 1500, introduced in the post-war era. It made its debut in 1947 at the Geneva Salon, as a Berlinetta wearing coachwork by Pinin Farina. The all-aluminum body had elegant hidden door handles and the classic Maserati grill. Power was from a 1488cc single-overhead camshaft six in aluminum and magnesium, similar to the A6GCS sports car's 2.0-litre unit, which produced its maximum output of 65bhp at 4,700rpm. They had a ladder frame chassis with a double-wishbone front suspension derived from their racing endeavors, with a coil-sprung axle located at the rear. Depending on the coachwork, the top speed was in the 90-95 mph neighborhood.

This Maserati A6 1500 was the ninth car built in the sixty-one car production run between 1947 and 1951. It is believed that this car is the only Pinin Farina Berlientta completed on the longer wheelbase chassis. The car was delivered new in July of 1949, wearing Pinin Farina's Berlinetta coachwork and finished in a dark red Amaterro color.

The car's first owner was Mr. Americo Giol, resident of San Polo di Piave in Italy's Veneto region. It migrated to the US and then to the UK in the 1970s, before returning to Italy in 1993. In the late 1990s, it was treated to a sympathetic restoration, before purchased in the year 2000 by a Japanese collector. In 2003, it participated in the Japanese running of the Mille Miglia event; La Festa Mille Miglia. The car remained in this ownership for the next decade before it was purchased by its current caretaker in 2010.

by Dan Vaughan

Introduction

Berlinetta
Chassis number: 086
Engine number: 086

Construction of the first Post-War Maserati Sports Cars began in late 1946 at which time despite many difficulties, they were able to complete two examples. These were given the chassis numbers '049' and '051'.

These first Post-War Sports Cars were based on tried and true methods utilizing large section oval-tube frames and a Fratelli Maserati designed 1500cc, in-line six-cylinder, single-overhead-camshaft engine. The majority of these cars received a single Weber carburetor and produced 65bhp at 4700rpm.

The chassis ranges for these 61 cars are from '049' through '110' the last of which was completed on December 16th, 1950.

Coachwork was mostly by Carrozzeria Pinin Farina with some rather crude open and closed body-work on the first few cars followed shortly by far more attractive 'Fast-backed' Berlinettas in light-weight aluminum. Tipping the scales at a mere 1675 to 1925 lbs, the cars were light and nimble. They had to be as the small 1500 cc engines could not have coped with much more. At least one example was bodied by Carrozzeria Zagato and Pinin Farina bodied at least one production car with beautiful open 'cabriolet' style coachwork.

Sometime during the 1949 production run in early May of that year and beginning with this car, chassis number '086', a triple-Weber carburetor engine with slightly higher compression, higher profile camshaft and corresponding re-curved ignition timing became available. Maserati's records indicate that five such cars were delivered new, Chassis numbers '086', '087', '088', '089', and '090'. Many of the cars produced before and after these five cars were likely given a similar updates to their engines. With these features horsepower was claimed to be 100 but was more than likely something in the order of 90.

Individual History For Chassis *086*

Chassis/Engine Number *086* was completed in the late summer of 1949 and as noted it was the first of the cars completed with the improved and higher output engine. Maserati's records indicate that it was initially painted grey.

The car was sold new on the 14th of September 1949 to Signorina Isabella Quarantotti Ippolito of Positano, Italy. Signorina Ippolito was just 27 years old when she took delivery of her new Maserati Sports Car. She was born in 1921 and died on February 18th of 2005 at the age of 84.

Signorina Ippolito lived an extremely interesting life. While Positano, Napoli, Capri and the Amalfi Coasst were her home, she was well educated and well traveled. Signorina Quarantotti was a direct descendent of the House of Savoy whose Royal Germanic and Gallic Families dated directly back to King Rudolf of Burgundy in 1038AD.

Her first husband Happy Ippolito was one of the fathers of the Italian Nuclear Energy Industry. She later divorced and married Eduardo de Fillipo to whom she was married for over 50 years. Classically educated in law, philosophy and medicine, most new her as one of Italy's most famous dramatists, play-writes, author and long time friend of Sir Laurence Olivier. Few however knew that one of her earlier passions included Sports Cars. Just four years after World War II, Isabella ordered this new Maserati Sports Car which was delivered to her early in the fall of 1949.

Eventually her writing took precedence in her day to day activities and the Maserati which was now used infrequently was sold.

This car was then owned by two additional Italian families before being purchased and shipped to the United States by Mr. Robert Baker of La Jolla, California. Mr. Baker owned the car until the late 1970s when it was acquired by another Southern California owner. At this time the original 1500cc Maserati engine and gearbox were removed and set aside while a Ford 260ci V8 and C5 automatic gearbox were fitted in their place. The car remained this way until being purchased in 1981 by Wiliam McKinley of Sacramento, California. (Mr. McKinley was a lawyer by trade.) At the time of his purchase the original engine and gearbox were sold with the car along with a variety of other miscellaneous spare parts.

The car and various spare parts were all trucked by Brian Moore's Performance Painting located at 2437 Gold River Road Unit 'L' in Rancho Cordova, California 95670. An exhaustive and complete restoration was then performed with mechanical work being carried out by Tex Countryman. Further assistance was provided by noted Maserati 'Guru' Paul Merrigan.

In August of 1983 the car was entered and raced by McKinley wearing race number 112 in the Monterey Historic Races.

The car then appeared in a variety of publications as well as various Maserati meets and Concours events throughout the West Coast.

In 1984 it was shown at the Maserati International Meet, North Star, Lake Tahoe where it was awarded Best in Show and event poster 'cover car.'

In 1984 it was also the recipient of a third place award at the Sacramento Concours d'Elegance.

In August of 1984 it was invited to and judged in the Pebble Beach Councours d'Elegance where it received a 3rd in class award.

It then appeared in the fall of 1984 at the Newport Beach Concours d'Elegance where it received a 1st in class.

In September 1984 the car was featured on the cover and back of Viale Ciro Menotti the Magazine for Maserati Enthusiasts. Inside front cover has a photo credit that reads: 'Front and Rear Cover: 1949 A6 1500 (No. 086) owned by William and Lori McKinley, Sacramento, California. Front cover background is the state capitol building. Photos compliments of William McKinley.'

In August of 1985 the car was offered for sale by McKinley in Hemmings Motor News p4816 for $36,500 Painted maroon.

Later that August the car was auctioned off at the Rick Cole / Monterey Sports Car Auction where it was purchased by an English enthusiast.

May 24th, 1987 offered for sale by Sotheby's Auction Ltd at their 'Belles Automobiles de Collection Monaco Sale. Lot No. 85A and sold for $83,000 plus 11% commission for a total sale price of $92,130.'

1988 featured in the book The Great Book of Sports Cars, Dean Batchelor, Chris Poole and Graham Robinson. Pages 262 and 263.

(Ownership of the car in this book is given to 'Domino's Rearview Mirror' in Ann Arbor, Michigan which was owned by Domino's Pizza founder Tom Mognahan.)

1992 Sold at Hershey, PA to Fernando Santos Martins, Lisboa, Portugal. (The car was sold by Blackhawk of Danville, CA.)

The car remained with Sr. Martins for twelve years as part of his vast collection and was used on only a few occasions.

This car was then purchased by Bill Noon, San Diego, CA USA on August 25th, 2005.

October 5th, 2005 - delivered to Symbolic Motor Car Company's Service Center in Sorrento Valley, California.

October 7th-9th, 2005 - Invited to participate, entered and raced by Bill Noon on race number 146 in the Coronado Festival of Speed.

November 18th-20th, 2005 - Invited to, entered and raced by Bill Noon on race number 146 in the Palm Springs Revival Road Race.

January 17th - 22nd, 2006 - Invited to, entered and raced by Bill Noon on race number 146 in the Ferrari / Maserati Historic Challenge Series / Cavallino Classics Race in Palm Beach, Florida.

January 22nd, 2006 - Invited to, entered and displayed at the Cavallino Classic at the Palm Beach International Concours in Palm Beach Florida.

by Bill Noon

by Maserati

Berlinetta
Chassis number: 078
Engine number: 078

The Maserati Company's first road going production automobile was the A6 1500 of which there were sixty-one examples produced. This particular example was completed at the factory in Modena in 1948. On September of that year, it was sent to Pinin Farina to receive its coachwork. It was given a Blue Scuro coupe body with red leather interior. It returned to the factory on April 9th of 1949. Just three days later, it was completed and offered for sale. It came into the care of its first owner, Vittorio Giol of San Polo di Piave, Treviso, Italy, on May 3rd of 1949. The car remained with Mr. Giol until 1953 when he sold it to an American, Lemuel Ladd, who was stationed in Munich, Germany in the United States Army.

Following Ladd's ownership, Federico Lambetano of Padua, Italy acquired the car in the late 1950's. In 1963, it entered the care of David Chopourian of Billerica, Massachusetts. He owned this car for the next four decades. In May of 2003, Mr. Chopourian advertised the car for sale in Hemmings Motor News stating that it 'needs full restoration.' It was purchased in 2003 by Pier Angelo Masselli of Italy.

In 2008, it was given a comprehensive restoration by Bluccino of Ravenna, Italy. The car was finished in its original factory color combination of Blue Scuro exteriro with a Red leather interior.

In 2012, it was sold to Peter Wiesner of Salzburg, Austria. In 2013, it was purchased by its current owner, an America.

by Dan Vaughan

Even though the company was not in financial difficulty, the Maserati brothers sold their shares of the company to the Orsi family from Modena in 1937. The headquarters were moved from Bologna to Modena. When they sold the company, the brothers had agreed to stay with Maserati for another ten years performing duties as chief engineers. In 1948, after their ten-year agreement was satisfied, they left the company and formed OSCA.

With the chief engineers gone, the company was positioned for failure, but the company did have a strong history and more importantly, they had a newly developed straight-six engine, courtesy of the Maserati brothers. The engine produced by Maserati brothers was nothing spectacular; the 1.5-liter power-plant produced 65 horsepower. It was, however, a good starting point and would prove to be very tunable in the years to come. The primary intention for the engine was competition, but Orsi understood that money needed to be made so that it could be spent. So Orsi commissioned a sports road car that could be produced for exclusive clientele.

In 1947 Maserati introduced the Maserati A6 with custom coachwork by Pinin Farina. Under the hood was the 1.5-liter single overhead camshaft engine matted to a four-speed gearbox. The steel tubular frame was suspended by a live rear axle and a front wishbone suspension. Even though Pinin Farina is noted for its elegant styling, its design of the A6 was not well received. Coupled with poor performance, the vehicle was not well received.

Modifications were performed on the engine resulting in an increase to 2 liters and 100 horsepower. Three updated versions of the A6 were displayed at the 1951 Paris Motorshow. The Berlina body styles were created by Pinin Farina and were the standard style; the Spider variants were created by Frua, and the Coupe was courtesy of Vignale. With all the mechanical improvements and body style options available, the two-liter A6 was poised for success. With only 16 examples created, the A6 proved it needed more work.

The famous Gioacchino Colombo, known for his work with Ferrari, joined Maserati in 1953. His first task was to modify the A6GCM to include a DOHC valve train, dual-spark ignition, and more. Horsepower rose to nearly 200. The success of Maserati in racing was heightened with the new engine and new drivers such as Fangio, Gonzalez, Marimon, Bonetto, and de Graffenried. Fangio had won the 1953 Italian Grand Prix driving a Ferrari.

The third iteration of the A6 occurred in 1954, dubbed the A6G/54. This was the same year for the introduction of the Maserati 250F, which, in the hands of the capable Fangio won the Argentine Grand Prix on its debut. The A6G/54 was outfitted with a competitive engine and wonderful styling from Frua and Zagato. Production lasted until 1954 with multiple types of body styles being created. One of the most memorable body styles was the 19 lightweight Zagato bodies which could often be seen at race tracks. All of the Zagato hand-formed body styles were unique, even the interior.

The Maserati A6GCS was produced from 1953 through 1955 with a total of 52 examples being constructed. Four where Berlinetta bodies by Pininfarina while 48 were in Spyder configuration and bodied by Fantuzi. The A6GCS was very important to Maserati and scored many victories for the marque. In 1953 the A6GCs won its class at the Mille Miglia in its inaugural debut.

The Maserati A6G/2000 was produced from 1954 through 1957 with 60 examples being created, all receiving custom bodywork from prestigious coachbuilders such as Zagato, Pinin Farina, Vignale, and others. Serafino Allemano constructed twenty-one examples of the A6G/2000. All of these cars were equipped with the DOHC engines. The A6G/2000 is sometimes referred to as the A6G/54. These second series cars used many mechanical components from its predecessor, such as its twin parallel tube design. The engine, however, had been modified which resulted in an increase in horsepower.

The A6G/54 was replaced by the 3500 GT. The A6 endured many growing pains but by the final iteration, the A6 variants were respectable and stylish machines. With the mechanical prowess of Colombo and the driving talent of Fangio and others, Maserati could continue to provide competition on the race track. While back at home, the A6 provided the bread-and-butter to continue racing and further development.

by Dan Vaughan