Maserati A6GCM

The Maserati A6GCM is a single seater racing car from the Italian manufacturer Maserati. Developed for Formula Two, 12 cars were built between 1951 and 1953.

Introduction
The A6GCM belongs to the A6 family of Maserati vehicles which comprised many models from street cars to racing cars. The name of the car is derived as follows:

A6 : the name of the series : A for Alfieri (Maserati), 6 for 6 cylinders

G : Ghisa, the engine block was in cast iron

C : Corsa, for Racing

M : Monoposto, for single seater.

The Tipo6 CS (Corsa Sportivo: barchetta) has been spotted as a good contender even in front of single seaters in Formula 2, despite its small engine. Thus Maserati decided to develop a specific model that would meet the new FIA racing rules.

Design
The inline 6-cylinder two-liter engine with DOHC and 12 valves, 3 two-barrel (twin choke) Weber carburetors delivered 160 hp to 197 hp. It was developed by Alberto Massimino and Vittorio Bellentani. The engine was mated to a 4-speed gearbox. The frame was developed by Medardo Fantuzzi. The car was bodied in aluminum and weighed 550 - 570 kg, depending on the engine installed. The rigid rear axle employed cantilevered leaf springs combined with Houdaille shock absorbers; in front, coil springs are used also combined with Houdaille shock absorbers. The brakes are hydraulic driven drums. The initial wheelbase was 2280 mm; this was extended to 2310 mm in the later version. The front track was initially 1278 mm and was reduced to 1200 mm as the car received larger wheels in its later version. The rear track received the same treatment going from 1225 mm to 1160 mm. The spoked wheels were initially 4 x, replaced by 5 x, in 1953.
 * Initially with a 1987 cc capacity (72.6 x, with a compression ratio of 13.5 :1) delivering 160 hp, in 1951 and 1952
 * Then 1988 cc capacity (75 x, with a compression ratio of 13.5 :1, with twin ignition) delivering 180 hp, in late 1952
 * And finally with a 1970 cc capacity 76.2 x, with a compression ratio of 12 :1, with twin ignition) delivering 197 hp, in 1953.

Evolution


The 1953 version was the work of Gioacchino Colombo who modified the car significantly: now with a nearly 200 hp engine, new suspension and improved brakes. The body was also reworked and made narrower and the car received an oval front grill. This version is known as the "interim" A6GCM or A6SSG.

The A6GCM foreshadowed the next model: the 250F. In fact several of the later A6GCMs, produced in late 1952 and 1953, were converted to 250Fs in 1954.

Results
The same model raced in Formula One races and in Formula Two, in races which counted for the World Championship as well as in non-championship events, as it was often the case in the early 1950s.

With 151 race starts and 81 race finishes, with 23 podiums and 6 Grand Prix race wins, the A6GCM has had an exceptional track record supported by exceptional drivers.

Note: when Maserati competed in its home town, Modena, in 1953, it managed to finish in the top three positions.