RM Sotheby’s, Monterey, USA 15-17 August
THE MARKET / Auction Previews
Competition cars don’t come much more beautiful than the Fantuzzi-styled and built Maserati A6GCS. Fresh out of long-term ownership, this 1954 racer will be one of RM Sotheby’s headline lots at this year’s extended three-day auction on 15-17 August during the Monterey Car Week.
Chassis #2078 was driven by Maserati and Ferrari works driver Luigi Musso during the Maserati factory team’s 1954 campaign. Its most notable result was third place overall in the Mille Miglia, although it also finished third at the Imola Grand Prix and took first in class at the Targa Florio. That year saw plenty of other victories and podiums at smaller races, too.
Following this moderate success in Europe, the A6GCS set sail for South America with privateer racer Ricardo Grandio. He entered chassis #2078 into several South American races throughout the 1955 and 1956 seasons, and achieved a third-place finish in the 1955 Buenos Aires 1000km.
After passing through a number of other owners in South America, the Maserati eventually returned to Europe in the early 1980s when it was bought by an Italian industrialist. It was a frequent entrant in the Mille Miglia from 1987 to 1992, and ventured out once again in 1995.
It was bought in 1998 by the current owner, an enthusiastic US collector. Continuing in the spirit of its previous custodians, the Maserati has been used extensively in classic events including the Monterey Historics, Mille Miglia and Colorado Grand.
It was most recently restored in 2013, after which it went on to win the Gran Turismo Award at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours. It is offered in fully turnkey condition, ready to race, and even comes with its original matching numbers engine.
It’s the first time this A6GCS has come to auction and RM estimates it will make $3,250,000-3,750,000 in Monterey.
rmsothebys.com
