Mark Osborne
Global Director of Motorsport
LOT 128 *
1956 Maserati A6G/2000 Coupe Coachwork by Allemano Chassis no. 2147 Engine no. 2180
Sold for €931,500 inc. premium
Lot 128*
1956 Maserati A6G/2000 Coupe
1956 Maserati A6G/2000 Coupe
Coachwork by Allemano
Chassis no. 2147
Engine no. 2180
Coachwork by Allemano
Chassis no. 2147
Engine no. 2180
• Bespoke configured by Maserati for open road rally competition
• First owned by Richard "Dick" Cicurel
• Long, continuous history including the Rosso et Bianco and Louwman Collections
• Meticulously restored to its original configuration and dramatic livery
• Ideal for long distance open road events and tours
As builders of small displacement sports and open-wheel formula cars in the late 30's and early postwar years Maserati reigned supreme. Quickly migrating from the 4-cylinder formula cars of the Thirties, Maserati developed the 1.5 litre 6-cylinder A6G with a variety of bore/stroke dimensions and both single and double overhead camshafts. Maserati offered both single and double ignition cylinder heads, squeezing every ounce of performance from its engines' basic competence.
The A6GCS sports cars and A6GCM monopostos were consistently successful and competitive buyers took notice until in 1954 Maserati responded with the A6G/54 (later named A6G/2000) Gran Turismo, a barely disguised competition car with wider and more comfortable bodywork from a variety of coachbuilders like Pinin Farina, Frua, Allemano and, in lightweight streamlined form, Zagato.
Over-square bore and stroke of 76.5mm x 72mm was at the cutting edge of engine design for the time leading to reliable high speed performance at 6,000 rpm that made 2-litre Maseratis effective competitors with bigger engines from Jaguar, Aston Martin and even Ferrari.
1956 was an auspicious year for Maserati for, in addition to the A6G race cars, it saw the introduction of the famed 250F grand prix monoposto, a car that in the hands of Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss and others would be for the next several years the most viable and consistent competitor to the Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari GP cars. The success of the 250F grand prix raised awareness of Maserati and brought the A6G/2000 to the attention of a wider market.
One of the competitive-minded individuals attracted to Maserati was an American living in Europe, Richard "Dick" Cicurel, who purchased this A6G/2000 with coachwork by Allemano in 1956 while making a long series of specific requests of Maserati for his intended use of it in rally racing. The surviving copies of the Maserati build sheets show some 50 specific details. It has been confirmed by Maserati historian Ermanno Cozza as the sole rally equipped A6G/2000 built by Maserati.
Marchal fog lamps, special backup lights, competition differential, large fuel tank with quick-fill cap, Halda Speedpilot, a folding armrest and map light for the navigator, Becker Europa multi-band radio, extra instruments and even a Jaeger-LeCoultre chronograph (supplied by Circurel from a Bugatti he owned) were among the many special features. It was at the time the most expensive Maserati road car ever built.
Cicurel rallied it several times but after it was damaged in a road accident he returned it to Maserati for repair. When completed its chassis was renumbered by Maserati from the original 2144 to the present 2147 and was used in Maserati advertising and brochures in the distinctive Alfa Red over Black livery it bears today.
It subsequently passed through the hands of two owners in Italy before coming to the U.S. in 1976, then was acquired by the Rosso et Bianco collection of Peter Kaus in 1988 and Evert Louwman in the Netherlands in 2004. In 2006 Bonhams sold it at Gstaad accompanied by its present engine, 2180, from the singularly important prototype A6G Gran Sport Spider by Frua.
It has since been restored by experts in Italy where great care was taken to present it in its original, singular rally-equipped configuration and original colors and materials as delivered by Maserati in 1956. Seldom used by its most recent long term owner, it has been carefully stored among his extensive collection of sports, sports-racing and grand touring cars from the 1950's and 60's.
Today, when even supercars like the Maserati MC20 with acres of carbon fibre weigh in at nearly two tons, the A6G/2000 of 1956 was barely half that mass, contributing to its responsive performance. 2147 begs to be exploited in long distance open road events as intended by its first owner.
A comfortable, fast, lightweight grand touring Maserati, it is the ideal entrant for events like the Mille Miglia with early competition history and unique factory-supplied rally configuration, a Maserati that is impossible to overlook.
Please note that if this vehicle is sold to a French private buyer or an EU private individual the reduced rate of Import VAT at 5.5% will be charged on the hammer price. The Import VAT will be invoiced to you by our custom broker who will also charge a clearance fee. If you buy as a Trader or Company however, the Finances Publiques will charge you directly (based on our customs broker clearance) and the French VAT Import Charges will not appear on your Bonhams invoice. Please note that if you purchase as an EU Company, you are required to pay the VAT in your registered country at the relevant rate. Import rates to other EU Countries may vary and an administration fee will be charged to prepare the necessary customs clearance. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.
• First owned by Richard "Dick" Cicurel
• Long, continuous history including the Rosso et Bianco and Louwman Collections
• Meticulously restored to its original configuration and dramatic livery
• Ideal for long distance open road events and tours
As builders of small displacement sports and open-wheel formula cars in the late 30's and early postwar years Maserati reigned supreme. Quickly migrating from the 4-cylinder formula cars of the Thirties, Maserati developed the 1.5 litre 6-cylinder A6G with a variety of bore/stroke dimensions and both single and double overhead camshafts. Maserati offered both single and double ignition cylinder heads, squeezing every ounce of performance from its engines' basic competence.
The A6GCS sports cars and A6GCM monopostos were consistently successful and competitive buyers took notice until in 1954 Maserati responded with the A6G/54 (later named A6G/2000) Gran Turismo, a barely disguised competition car with wider and more comfortable bodywork from a variety of coachbuilders like Pinin Farina, Frua, Allemano and, in lightweight streamlined form, Zagato.
Over-square bore and stroke of 76.5mm x 72mm was at the cutting edge of engine design for the time leading to reliable high speed performance at 6,000 rpm that made 2-litre Maseratis effective competitors with bigger engines from Jaguar, Aston Martin and even Ferrari.
1956 was an auspicious year for Maserati for, in addition to the A6G race cars, it saw the introduction of the famed 250F grand prix monoposto, a car that in the hands of Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss and others would be for the next several years the most viable and consistent competitor to the Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari GP cars. The success of the 250F grand prix raised awareness of Maserati and brought the A6G/2000 to the attention of a wider market.
One of the competitive-minded individuals attracted to Maserati was an American living in Europe, Richard "Dick" Cicurel, who purchased this A6G/2000 with coachwork by Allemano in 1956 while making a long series of specific requests of Maserati for his intended use of it in rally racing. The surviving copies of the Maserati build sheets show some 50 specific details. It has been confirmed by Maserati historian Ermanno Cozza as the sole rally equipped A6G/2000 built by Maserati.
Marchal fog lamps, special backup lights, competition differential, large fuel tank with quick-fill cap, Halda Speedpilot, a folding armrest and map light for the navigator, Becker Europa multi-band radio, extra instruments and even a Jaeger-LeCoultre chronograph (supplied by Circurel from a Bugatti he owned) were among the many special features. It was at the time the most expensive Maserati road car ever built.
Cicurel rallied it several times but after it was damaged in a road accident he returned it to Maserati for repair. When completed its chassis was renumbered by Maserati from the original 2144 to the present 2147 and was used in Maserati advertising and brochures in the distinctive Alfa Red over Black livery it bears today.
It subsequently passed through the hands of two owners in Italy before coming to the U.S. in 1976, then was acquired by the Rosso et Bianco collection of Peter Kaus in 1988 and Evert Louwman in the Netherlands in 2004. In 2006 Bonhams sold it at Gstaad accompanied by its present engine, 2180, from the singularly important prototype A6G Gran Sport Spider by Frua.
It has since been restored by experts in Italy where great care was taken to present it in its original, singular rally-equipped configuration and original colors and materials as delivered by Maserati in 1956. Seldom used by its most recent long term owner, it has been carefully stored among his extensive collection of sports, sports-racing and grand touring cars from the 1950's and 60's.
Today, when even supercars like the Maserati MC20 with acres of carbon fibre weigh in at nearly two tons, the A6G/2000 of 1956 was barely half that mass, contributing to its responsive performance. 2147 begs to be exploited in long distance open road events as intended by its first owner.
A comfortable, fast, lightweight grand touring Maserati, it is the ideal entrant for events like the Mille Miglia with early competition history and unique factory-supplied rally configuration, a Maserati that is impossible to overlook.
Please note that if this vehicle is sold to a French private buyer or an EU private individual the reduced rate of Import VAT at 5.5% will be charged on the hammer price. The Import VAT will be invoiced to you by our custom broker who will also charge a clearance fee. If you buy as a Trader or Company however, the Finances Publiques will charge you directly (based on our customs broker clearance) and the French VAT Import Charges will not appear on your Bonhams invoice. Please note that if you purchase as an EU Company, you are required to pay the VAT in your registered country at the relevant rate. Import rates to other EU Countries may vary and an administration fee will be charged to prepare the necessary customs clearance. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.
Footnotes
1956 Maserati A6G/2000 coupé
Carrosserie Allemano
Châssis n° 2147
Moteur n° 2180
• Préparation spéciale par Maserati pour épreuves sur routes ouvertes
• Premier propriétaire Richard « Dick » Cicurel
• Long historique continu, incluant les collections Rosso et Bianco et Louwman
• Méticuleusement restaurée dans sa configuration et sa livrée d'origine
• Idéale pour les manifestations de longue distance sur route
Moteur 6 cylindres, double arbre à cames en tête, double allumage, 1 986 cm3
Trois carburateurs double corps Weber 36DO4
150 ch à 6 000 tr/min
Boîte manuelle à 4 rapports
Freins à tambour hydrauliques aux 4 roues
Suspension avant indépendante, amortisseurs à ressorts hélicoïdaux, essieu arrière rigide à ressorts à lames
La Maserati A6G/2000
Comme constructeur de voitures de sport de petite cylindrée et de monoplaces dans les années 1930 et les premières années d'après-guerre, Maserati régnait en maître. Abandonnant rapidement des voitures de Formule à quatre cylindres des années 1930, Maserati développa un 6 cylindres A6G de 1,5 litre avec un choix d'alésages et de courses tant avec simple arbre à cames qu'avec double arbre à cames en tête. Maserati proposait le simple ou le double allumage, tirant le maximum du potentiel de son moteur de base.
Les A6GCS sport et A6GCM monoplaces étaient particulièrement compétitives et les clients ne manquèrent pas de s'en apercevoir jusqu'à ce qu'en 1954 Maserati réponde à la demande avec l'A6G/54 (plus tard rebaptisée A6G/2000) Gran Turismo, une voiture de compétition déguisée en voiture de tourisme avec des carrosseries plus confortables émanant de carrossiers comme Pinin Farina, Frua, Allemano et, dans une forme allégée et aérodynamique, de Zagato.
Les dimensions super carrées de 76,5 mm x 72 mm de ses cylindres étaient à l'avant-garde de l'ingénierie moteur à l'époque, autorisant de hauts régimes de 6 000 tr/min qui faisaient des Maserati 2 litres des concurrentes redoutables face aux Jaguar, Aston Martin et même Ferrari de plus fortes cylindrées.
1956 fut une année faste pour Maserati car, en plus des A6G de compétition, la marque dévoilait la fameuse monoplace 250F de Grand Prix, un modèle qui aux mains de Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss et d'autres allait être dans les années qui suivirent la concurrente la plus menaçante et la plus présente face aux Mercedes-Benz et Ferrari de Grand Prix. Les succès de la 250F de Grand Prix firent la réputation de Maserati et ouvrirent à l'A6G/2000 un plus vaste marché.
La voiture proposée
Un des clients passionnés de compétition attirés par Maserati était un Américain vivant en Europe, Richard « Dick » Cicurel, qui acheta cette A6G/2000 à carrosserie Allemano en 1956 en spécifiant une longue liste d'aménagements spéciaux à Maserati pour l'usage qu'il comptait en faire en rallye. La fiche constructeur de Maserati montre quelques 50 demandes particulières. Ermanno Cozza, l'historien de Maserati, a confirmé que c'est la seule A6G/2000 équipée pour le rallye construite par Maserati.
Les antibrouillard Marchal, les feux de recul, le différentiel de compétition, le réservoir de grande capacité avec bouchon à remplissage rapide, l'ordinateur mécanique Halda Speedpilot, l'accoudoir pliant et la lampe de lecture pour la navigation, la radio Becker Europa multi-bande, les instruments supplémentaires et même un chronographe Jaeger-LeCoultre (celui d'une Bugatti que possédait Circurel) font partie des nombreuses requêtes spéciales. C'était à l'époque la plus coûteuse des Maserati de route jamais construite.
Cicurel l'engagea en rallye à plusieurs reprises, mais, après l'avoir endommagée dans un accident de la route, il la renvoya chez Maserati pour réparation. Lorsque les travaux furent achevés son châssis fut renuméroté par Maserati du numéro 2144 d'origine au numéro 2147 qu'elle arbore aujourd'hui et fut utilisée dans les publicités et les brochures Maserati dans sa livrée rouge Alfa sur noir d'aujourd'hui.
Elle passa ensuite aux mains de deux propriétaires successifs en Italie avant de partir aux États-Unis en 1976, puis fut acquise par les collections Rosso et Bianco de Peter Kaus en 1988 puis Evert Louwman en Hollande en 2004. En 2006, Bonhams l'a vendue à Gstaad équipée de son moteur actuel, 2180, provenant du très important prototype A6G Gran Sport Spider de Frua.
Elle a depuis été restaurée par des experts en Italie où on a pris grand soin de la restituer dans sa configuration d'origine particulière avec ses équipements de rallye dans sa couleur et ses matériaux, telle qu'elle a été livrée par Maserati en 1956. Rarement utilisée par son plus récent propriétaire, elle a été soigneusement entreposée dans son importante collection de voitures de sports, de compétition et de grand tourisme des années 1950 et 1960.
Aujourd'hui, alors que même des supercars comme la Maserati MC20 bardée de fibre de carbone pèse presque deux tonnes, l'A6G/2000 de 1956 pèse à peine la moitié de ce poids, ce qui contribue à ses incroyables performances. 2147 ne demande qu'à participer à des manifestations longue distance sur route ouverte, comme l'avait envisagé son premier propriétaire.
Cette Maserati de grand tourisme confortable, rapide et légère, est idéale pour des épreuves comme les Mille Miglia avec son historique en compétition et sa configuration rallye d'usine. Une Maserati qu'il est impossible d'ignorer.
Veuillez noter que, si ce véhicule est vendu à un acheteur français privé ou à un particulier membre d'un pays de l'UE, le taux réduit de TVA d'importation de 5,5% sera appliqué au prix d'adjudication. La TVA d'importation vous sera facturée par notre courtier en douane qui vous facturera aussi des frais de dédouanement. Toutefois, si vous achetez en tant que marchand ou que société, les Finances Publiques vous factureront directement (sur la base du dédouanement effectué par notre courtier en douane) et la TVA française d'importation n'apparaîtra pas sur la facture que Bonhams vous délivrera. Veuillez noter que, si vous achetez en tant que société de l'UE, vous devez payer la TVA dans votre pays d'immatriculation, au taux en vigueur. Les taux pour importation dans les autres pays de l'UE peuvent varier, et il vous sera facturé des frais administratifs relatifs à la préparation des opérations de dédouanement. Pour toute question relative au dédouanement, veuillez contacter le département Motorcar de Bonhams ou les sociétés de transport que nous recommandons.
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| * | Import low rate |
| VAT on imported items at a reduced rate of 5.5% on the hammer price and the prevailing rate on buyer's premium if the item remains in EU. TVA sur les objets importés à un taux réduit de 5.5% sur le prix d'adjudication et un taux en vigueur sur la prime d'achat dans le cas où l'objet reste dans l'Union Européenne. |