1949 Maserati A6 1500 Coupe

Description 1949 Maserati A6 1500 Coupe s/n 059 Engine no. 059 Dark Red with Red and Tan Interior Founded in Bologna, Italy, in 1914, by Alfieri Maserati and his brothers Ettore and Ernesto, their humble skills were first offered as specialists for Isotta Fraschini, preparing their cars for road races. However, it was soon evident that Maserati was destined to build the Maserati name crafting their own racecars. The Maserati brothers were not only dedicated enthusiasts, but they were also passionate artisans and engineers – a necessary combination in order to yield fantastic performance cars, especially for premier clientele. This blend of art and engineering, a feature of Italian culture, is embodied in much of their fashion, food, and music, as well as in the fast-growing world of automobile manufacturing. Soon after inception, Maserati was building some of the finest racecars and many of the finest road cars. The often-underfunded company also competed handsomely against giants of industry, building Grand Prix cars, and winning world racing titles, including a rare win at the Indy 500. After the second world war, Maserati was not only able to survive, but they realized their future was dependent on building cars with an emphasis on dual-purpose – cars capable of top-level performance, and also beautifully appointed for street use. As technology improved and wealthy customers demanded both performance and luxury, Maserati enjoyed a robust following in both motorsports and on the showroom floor. The first of these road models was the A6 1500, which made its debut at the 1947 Geneva Salon. Upon review by the press, the beautifully crafted light-alloy Pinin Farina body was lauded by many to be among the most beautiful cars ever designed. In addition to the beauty, the A6 1500 was also innovative in that it was among the first to feature a smooth, integrated hood and fender design, leading back to a dramatic clean fastback rear with minimal chrome trim, hidden door handles, and a wide but delicately trimmed grill. All of these ideas are considered classic today, but in 1947, this design was truly revolutionary. Under the hood, engineering followed the path of excellence, where the remarkable 1,488cc single overhead-camshaft six-cylinder engine utilized aluminum and magnesium castings along with a single Weber carburetor, coupled to a four-speed manual gearbox. The ladder frame chassis featured double wishbone front suspension, similar to Maserati racecars, while the coil-sprung live-axle rear suspension balanced out the rear drive platform, yielding a lovely combination of performance and grace; a union that would herald many future Maseratis for years to come. This beautiful A6 1500 is chassis number 059, the ninth car of just 61 cars in the series produced from 1947-1951 and the only Pinin Farina Berlinetta assembled at the factory on a long wheelbase chassis. Although all the cars constructed in this series would be assembled on a standard chassis, and a long wheelbase chassis had been used in two cabriolet versions of the A6 1500 (chassis number 057 and 075), this is the only Pinin Farina Berlinetta known to have been constructed on a long wheel base chassis. Delivered new in July 1949, the car was configured at the factory with Berlinetta coachwork and finished in dark red Amaterro color. 059 has been researched and documented by renowned Maserati historian Adolfo Orsi. Mr. Orsi confirms the first owner as Mr. Americo Giol, a resident of San Polo di Piave, Italy. Though the duration of his ownership has yet to be confirmed by further registrations, it is known that his brother must have been duly impressed as Vittirio Giol soon became the first owner of chassis no. 078, also a Pinin Farina Berlinetta, constructed later in the series production. Orsi further notes that the car was next imported to the US and then to the UK sometime in the 1970s, eventually returning to Italy in 1993. By the late 90s, the car is known to have been sympathetically restored and subsequently purchased in 2000 by a Japanese collector. In 2003 this A6 1500 was entered and participated in the legendary Mille Miglia event, La Festa Mille Miglia. By 2010, this A6 1500 finds a new owner who then offers it on auction in 2015 at the Quail Lodge during the famed Carmel weekend and concours events. The current owner has continued to maintain the car to high standards, including recent detailed review and mechanical sorting by Epifani restorations. Today this wonderful car truly presents the elegance of design and engineering that have defined Maseratis. It is important to recall that this car was well ahead of Ferrari in every aspect as Maserati was already in production with the A6 1500 while Ferrari was simply a fledgling venture. Here in every respect the level individualized artistry and performance can be seen in the coachwork and mechanical specifications, further affirming Maserati as leaders of Italian craftsmanship, and pioneers of modern design and engineering. The older restoration while still very handsome has mellowed nicely in the ensuing years, and is both a testimony to the quality and the degree of preservation first offered as an original matching numbers car prior to restoration, but also to upholding the finest in restoration artisanship even in recent years. The exterior of this A6 has been finished to a high level still showing excellent paint and panel fit. The paint has settled in a bit over the years but still retains a high gloss throughout, with minor surface scratches and light marks from road use. Doors open and shut smoothly, as does the hood and trunk. Brightwork throughout the exterior has been polished and finely detailed to complement the deep red paint. Handsome design elements lightly decorate the exterior including beautifully sculpted recessed door handles, elegantly shaped grille and vent details, and exquisite headlight trim that brightens the fascia while elongating the gentl