# 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 (120 kW) to 197 hp (147 kW). It was developed by Alberto Massimino and Vittorio Bellentani.
* Initially with a 1,987 cc (121.3 cu in) capacity (72.6 mm × 80 mm (2.86 in × 3.15 in), with a compression ratio of 13.5 :1) delivering 160 hp (120 kW), in 1951 and 1952
* Then 1,988 cc (121.3 cu in) capacity (75 mm × 75 mm (2.95 in × 2.95 in), with a compression ratio of 13.5 :1, with twin ignition) delivering 180 hp (130 kW), in late 1952
* And finally with a 1,970 cc (120 cu in) capacity 76.2 mm × 72 mm (3.00 in × 2.83 in), with a compression ratio of 12 :1, with twin ignition) delivering 197 hp (147 kW), in 1953.
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 (1,210–1,260 lb), 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 2,280 mm (90 in); this was extended to 2,310 mm (91 in) in the later version. The front track was initially 1,278 mm (50.3 in) and was reduced to 1,200 mm (47 in) as the car received larger wheels in its later version. The rear track received the same treatment going from 1,225 mm (48.2 in) to 1,160 mm (46 in). The spoked wheels were initially 4 in × 15 in (100 mm × 380 mm), replaced by 5 in × 16 in (127.000 mm × 406.400 mm), in 1953.

## Evolution

The 1953 version was the work of Gioacchino Colombo who modified the car significantly: now with a nearly 200 hp (150 kW) 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.

### Podium finishes

| Class | Date | Race | Driver | Position | Team |
| World Championship F2 | 9/1952 | 23rd Gran Premio d´Italia | José Froilán González | 2 | Officine Alfieri Maserati |
| World Championship F2 | 1/1953 | 1st Gran Premio de la Rep. Argentina | José Froilán González | 3 | Officine Alfieri Maserati |
| World Championship F2 | 6/1953 | 4th Grote Prijs van Nederland | Felice Bonetto | 3 | Officine Alfieri Maserati |
| World Championship F2 | 6/1953 | 15th Grand Prix de Belgique | Onofre Marimón | 3 | Officine Alfieri Maserati |
| World Championship F2 | 7/1953 | 11th Grand Prix de l´ACF | Juan Manuel Fangio | 2 | Officine Alfieri Maserati |
| World Championship F2 | 7/1953 | 11th Grand Prix de l´ACF | José Froilán González | 3 | Officine Alfieri Maserati |
| World Championship F2 | 7/1953 | 6 RAC British Grand Prix | Juan Manuel Fangio | 2 | Officine Alfieri Maserati |
| World Championship F2 | 8/1953 | 16th Grosser Preis von Deutschland | Juan Manuel Fangio | 2 | Officine Alfieri Maserati |
| World Championship F2 | 9/1953 | 24th Gran Premio d´Italia | Juan Manuel Fangio | 1 | Officine Alfieri Maserati |
| Non-championship F2 | 9/1952 | 3rd Gran Premio di Modena | José Froilán González | 2 | Officine Alfieri Maserati |
| Non-championship F2 | 3/1953 | 3rd Gran Premio di Siracusa | Emmanuel de Graffenried | 1 | Enrico Platé |
| Non-championship F2 | 4/1953 | 5th Lavant Cup Goodwood | Emmanuel de Graffenried | 1 | Privateer |
| Non-championship F2 | 5/1953 | 6th Gran Premio di Napoli | Juan Manuel Fangio | 2 | Officine Alfieri Maserati |
| Non-championship F2 | 5/1953 | 6th Gran Premio di Napoli | José Froilán González | 3 | Officine Alfieri Maserati |
| Non-championship F2 | 5/1953 | 17th Internationales ADAC Eifelrennen | Emmanuel de Graffenried | 1 | Privateer |
| Non-championship F2 | 9/1953 | 4th Gran Premio di Modena | Juan Manuel Fangio | 1 | Officine Alfieri Maserati |
| Non-championship F2 | 9/1953 | 4th Gran Premio di Modena | Onofre Marimón | 2 | Officine Alfieri Maserati |
| Non-championship F2 | 9/1953 | 4th Gran Premio di Modena | Emmanuel de Graffenried | 3 | Officine Alfieri Maserati |
| (Non-championship) F2 | 6/1954 | 24th Grand Prix des Frontiéres | Prince Bira | 1 | Privateer |
| Non-championship F1 | 1/1954 | 11th Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires | Roberto Miéres | 2 | Privateer |
| Non-championship F1 | 4/1954 | 15th Grand Prix Automobile de Pau | Roberto Miéres | 3 | Officine Alfieri Maserati |
| Non-championship F1 | 6/1954 | 13th Gran Premio di Roma | Harry Schell | 2 | Privateer |
| Non-championship F1 | 8/1954 | 23rd Circuito di Pescara | Harry Schell | 3 | Privateer |

## Technical information

| A6GCM | 1951/1952 | Late 1952 | 1953 |
| engine | 6-cylinder inline engine, crankcase made of light alloy | 6-cylinder inline engine, crankcase made of light alloy | 6-cylinder inline engine, crankcase made of light alloy |
| displacement | 1,987 cc (121.3 cu in) | 1,988 cc (121.3 cu in) | 1,970 cc (120 cu in) |
| bore × stroke | 72.6mm × 80mm | 75mm × 75mm | 76.2mm × 72mm |
| compression ratio | 13.5:1 | 13.5:1 | 12:1 |
| Power at 1/min | 160 hp (120 kW) at 6500 rpm | 180 hp (130 kW) at 7300 rpm | 197 hp (147 kW) at 8000 rpm |
| valve control | two overhead camshaftn / 2 valves per cylinder | two overhead camshaftn / 2 valves per cylinder | two overhead camshaftn / 2 valves per cylinder |
| Carburettor | 3 × Weber 38DOC03 | 3 × Weber 38DOC03 | 3 × Weber 38DOC03 |
| Fuel | Mixture of 85% methyl alcohol, 10% acetone and 5% pure benzene | Mixture of 85% methyl alcohol, 10% acetone and 5% pure benzene | Mixture of 85% methyl alcohol, 10% acetone and 5% pure benzene |
| cooling | Water, with centrifugal pump and cooler | Water, with centrifugal pump and cooler | Water, with centrifugal pump and cooler |
| transmission | 4-speed, 1 reverse gear, multi-plate dry clutch | 4-speed, 1 reverse gear, multi-plate dry clutch | 4-speed, 1 reverse gear, multi-plate dry clutch |
| brakes | drum brake front and rear | drum brake front and rear | drum brake front and rear |
| Shock absorber | Houdaille lever shock absorbers front and rear | Houdaille lever shock absorbers front and rear | Houdaille lever shock absorbers front and rear |
| Front suspension | Independent suspension, coil springs | Independent suspension, coil springs | Independent suspension, coil springs |
| rear suspension | Rigid axle, leaf springs | Rigid axle, leaf springs | Rigid axle, leaf springs |
| body and frame | Tubular steel frame | Tubular steel frame | Tubular steel frame |
| Wheelbase | 2280mm | 2280mm | 2310mm |
| Track width front / rear | 1278mm / 1200mm | 1278mm / 1200mm | 1225mm / 1160mm |
| curb weight (without driver) | 760 kg | 760 kg | 750 kg |
| tank capacity | 160 l | 160 l | 200 l |
| top speed | 250-280 km/h | 250-280 km/h | 250-280 km/h |