Cars 1954-1955
See also : Cars Cars II Post war cars Ferrari Early Ferrari British cars Jaguar Mercedes Benz Porsche Germany II
Chronology : 1954
Chronology : 1954
1954 The Open Wheeled Champion
2013 SOLD 19.6 M£ including premium
Everything goes very fast, in any meaning of the word, for Mercedes-Benz at the beginning of 1954. Technology is the best asset to win competitions. For coming back to racing, the German brand aligns the 300SL model for endurance and the W196 single-seater model for Formula 1.
They must win. Mercedes managed to take the best driver, Juan Manuel Fangio, world champion in 1951 with Alfa Romeo, who had just won the first two grand prix of the season on a Maserati.
For their first collaboration, Mercedes and Fangio win the Reims grand prix on a W196 with enclosed wheels. Surrounding the wheel by a piece of bodywork is a theoretical advantage because it limits the impact of air friction. The top speed exceeds 200 km / h.
At that time, the skill of the pilot is prevailing on theories. The next grand prix, at Silverstone, is sinuous. Powerless against Ferrari, Fangio requires the withdrawal of the enclosing to improve his freedom of action. This is the right decision.
Thus are born the chassis 005 and 006 of the W196. With the open wheeled 006, Fangio wins the next two grand prix, in Germany at the Nürburgring and in Switzerland at Bremgarten.
The 006 has no rival for the title of most prestigious single-seater car of all time, formerly driven by the most skilful driver of all time. It is for sale on July 12 by Bonhams at Goodwood.
POST SALE COMMENT
006 is not far from being the most prestigious car of all time in all categories. Its result at auction is the highest of all time: £ 19.6 million including premium.
An open wheeled W196 (perhaps the 006) is driven by Fangio himself during a demonstration at the Nürburgring in 1986. The image below is licensed under Creative Commons with attribution By Lothar Spurzem [CC-BY-SA-2.0-de (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/de/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons.
They must win. Mercedes managed to take the best driver, Juan Manuel Fangio, world champion in 1951 with Alfa Romeo, who had just won the first two grand prix of the season on a Maserati.
For their first collaboration, Mercedes and Fangio win the Reims grand prix on a W196 with enclosed wheels. Surrounding the wheel by a piece of bodywork is a theoretical advantage because it limits the impact of air friction. The top speed exceeds 200 km / h.
At that time, the skill of the pilot is prevailing on theories. The next grand prix, at Silverstone, is sinuous. Powerless against Ferrari, Fangio requires the withdrawal of the enclosing to improve his freedom of action. This is the right decision.
Thus are born the chassis 005 and 006 of the W196. With the open wheeled 006, Fangio wins the next two grand prix, in Germany at the Nürburgring and in Switzerland at Bremgarten.
The 006 has no rival for the title of most prestigious single-seater car of all time, formerly driven by the most skilful driver of all time. It is for sale on July 12 by Bonhams at Goodwood.
POST SALE COMMENT
006 is not far from being the most prestigious car of all time in all categories. Its result at auction is the highest of all time: £ 19.6 million including premium.
An open wheeled W196 (perhaps the 006) is driven by Fangio himself during a demonstration at the Nürburgring in 1986. The image below is licensed under Creative Commons with attribution By Lothar Spurzem [CC-BY-SA-2.0-de (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/de/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons.
1954 The Fearsome 49
2014 SOLD 10.7 M£ including premium
The increase of power in motor racing seemed to have no limit. Each year, Ferrari improved his models. Top auction results enable to mark the story of this succession of new models that will be discontinued in 1955 by the regulation changes resulting from the accident at Le Mans.
In 1953, to follow the success of the 340MM, Ferrari prepares the 375MM. An intermediate specimen between these two models coachworked in berlinetta by Pinin Farina was sold for € 9.9 million including premium by RM Auctions on May 25, 2013. This car driven by Farina, Hawthorn, Ascari and Maglioli has a very good competition record.
Jim Kimberly is the most discerning customer. Appreciating that the performance of the 340MM had been limited by problems of overheating, he requests Ferrari to change the brake system of his new 375MM. This 1953 car coachworked in spider by Pinin Farina was sold for $ 9.1 million including premium by RM Auctions on August 16, 2013.
In 1954, Ferrari is again increasing the power. The new model is the 375 Plus, with a volume of 4.9 liters which provides a tremendous power and earns it the nickname of Fearsome 49. Five cars are made.
The first of these five 375 Plus, coachworked in spider by Pinin Farina, is for sale on June 27 by Bonhams in London during the Goodwood festival of speed, lot 320. Used extensively in competition in 1954 notably with Maglioli, this car was owned for a short time in 1955 by Kimberly. Dismantled by a subsequent owner, it was restored in a satisfactory state of authenticity including the reassembly with its original engine.
The technological achievement of this line of models is the 410S, built in four units in 1955. This wonderful super-powerful car had an improved stability through a reduced chassis. The only 410S that was coachworked in berlinetta by Scaglietti was sold for $ 8.25 million including premium by RM Auctions on August 17, 2012.
I invite you to view the video shared by Bonhams.
POST SALE COMMENT
The importance of this car in the history of Ferrari was announced many months before the sale. It was sold for £ 10.7 million including premium.
In 1953, to follow the success of the 340MM, Ferrari prepares the 375MM. An intermediate specimen between these two models coachworked in berlinetta by Pinin Farina was sold for € 9.9 million including premium by RM Auctions on May 25, 2013. This car driven by Farina, Hawthorn, Ascari and Maglioli has a very good competition record.
Jim Kimberly is the most discerning customer. Appreciating that the performance of the 340MM had been limited by problems of overheating, he requests Ferrari to change the brake system of his new 375MM. This 1953 car coachworked in spider by Pinin Farina was sold for $ 9.1 million including premium by RM Auctions on August 16, 2013.
In 1954, Ferrari is again increasing the power. The new model is the 375 Plus, with a volume of 4.9 liters which provides a tremendous power and earns it the nickname of Fearsome 49. Five cars are made.
The first of these five 375 Plus, coachworked in spider by Pinin Farina, is for sale on June 27 by Bonhams in London during the Goodwood festival of speed, lot 320. Used extensively in competition in 1954 notably with Maglioli, this car was owned for a short time in 1955 by Kimberly. Dismantled by a subsequent owner, it was restored in a satisfactory state of authenticity including the reassembly with its original engine.
The technological achievement of this line of models is the 410S, built in four units in 1955. This wonderful super-powerful car had an improved stability through a reduced chassis. The only 410S that was coachworked in berlinetta by Scaglietti was sold for $ 8.25 million including premium by RM Auctions on August 17, 2012.
I invite you to view the video shared by Bonhams.
POST SALE COMMENT
The importance of this car in the history of Ferrari was announced many months before the sale. It was sold for £ 10.7 million including premium.
1955 For Winning the Pan-Am
2014 SOLD for $ 23M including premium
In 1950, the Mexican government created the Carrera Panamericana. The difficulty of this endurance race over 3300 Km of roads stirs the lust of the best car brands.
In 1954, the Pan-Am was won by Umberto Maglioli for Scuderia Ferrari with a Ferrari 375 Plus. 375 Plus was the technological sensation of the year, designed for power and endurance with its huge engine of 4.9 liters.
In 1955, Ferrari wants to do even better. The model 410 Sport or 410 S CM is based on a volume of engine similar to the 375 Plus but the mechanical equipment around is highly changed. CM meaning Carrera Messicana clearly indicates that Ferrari relied on the Pan-Am for demonstrating their superiority.
It is required that the car is stable. A new chassis lowers the center of gravity and the wheelbase is slightly reduced to a new standard that will be used two years later for the 250 Testarossa.
The car must be independent over long distances. To avoid refueling, the 410 S is equipped with a vast reservoir of 195 liters and large pipes.
Four cars are built, the first two for private clients and the other two for the Scuderia.
The first is a spyder. It waits in vain for the Mexican race which is canceled after the accident at Le Mans for the great frustration of Enzo Ferrari. It has been little raced and has an incident free history.
It is offered in Monterey by Rick Cole in an auction that ends on August 17 without a floor session. It is illustrated on the article shared by Sports Car Digest.
The second car is the only of the four to have been coachworked as a berlinetta. It was sold for $ 8.25 million including premium by RM Auctions on August 17, 2012. The last two are spyders. One of them was sold for $ 3.8 million including premium by RM Auctions in August 2001, an outstanding price for that time.
POST SALE COMMENT
Reported as unsold with a maximum bid of $ 22.111M.
Sports Car Digest later caught the information that it was sold in post block sale for a final price of $ 23M.
In 1954, the Pan-Am was won by Umberto Maglioli for Scuderia Ferrari with a Ferrari 375 Plus. 375 Plus was the technological sensation of the year, designed for power and endurance with its huge engine of 4.9 liters.
In 1955, Ferrari wants to do even better. The model 410 Sport or 410 S CM is based on a volume of engine similar to the 375 Plus but the mechanical equipment around is highly changed. CM meaning Carrera Messicana clearly indicates that Ferrari relied on the Pan-Am for demonstrating their superiority.
It is required that the car is stable. A new chassis lowers the center of gravity and the wheelbase is slightly reduced to a new standard that will be used two years later for the 250 Testarossa.
The car must be independent over long distances. To avoid refueling, the 410 S is equipped with a vast reservoir of 195 liters and large pipes.
Four cars are built, the first two for private clients and the other two for the Scuderia.
The first is a spyder. It waits in vain for the Mexican race which is canceled after the accident at Le Mans for the great frustration of Enzo Ferrari. It has been little raced and has an incident free history.
It is offered in Monterey by Rick Cole in an auction that ends on August 17 without a floor session. It is illustrated on the article shared by Sports Car Digest.
The second car is the only of the four to have been coachworked as a berlinetta. It was sold for $ 8.25 million including premium by RM Auctions on August 17, 2012. The last two are spyders. One of them was sold for $ 3.8 million including premium by RM Auctions in August 2001, an outstanding price for that time.
POST SALE COMMENT
Reported as unsold with a maximum bid of $ 22.111M.
Sports Car Digest later caught the information that it was sold in post block sale for a final price of $ 23M.
1955 Short Nose for Ecurie Ecosse
2016 SOLD for $ 21.8M including premium
In the early 1950s, Jaguar targets Le Mans. The C-Type perfectly meets this ambition. Design changes are frequent to maintain competitiveness and to follow the rule changes made necessary to ensure the safety.
The C-Type Lightweight from 1953 is a transition model preparing the 1954 D-type. In 1955, the D-Type Long Nose carries the expectations of the brand. In the same year, for meeting the requirement to engage commercially available models in competition, Jaguar begins to produce in series the D-Type model with its 1954 "short nose".
The first two commercial D-Type, chassis XKD 501 and 502, are delivered in 1955 to Ecurie Ecosse, a private team that works closely with Jaguar. Due to an accident, XKD 501 cannot participate at Le Mans in its first year.
The disaster of Le Mans significantly changes the game. Mercedes-Benz will not return. In 1956, a regulatory limitation of the fuel creates a headache for high volume engines. The XKD 501 of the Ecurie Ecosse wins the race one lap ahead of an Aston Martin. The feat of the Ecurie Ecosse is of high merit because the car is equipped with a big 3.4-liter engine.
Still more important changes are being considered in the rules. In 1957 Jaguar terminates its racing team. In 1958 Le Mans limits the size of engines to 3 liters, precipitating the end of career of the glorious chain of the C-Types and D-Types. It is funny to note that "C" meant Competition while "D" is simply the next after C in the alphabet.
XKD 501 was maintained in its configuration and its engine of the 1956 Le Mans victory. Its condition is certainly the most authentic among the five Jaguar that won at Le Mans in the 1950s. It had been fitted before Le Mans with the engine from the third D -Type of Ecurie Ecosse, XKD 561, a car that the team mostly used as a spare.
XKD 501 is estimated $ 20M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 19, lot 114. In its class, glory brings an added value : in very good condition, XKD 561 was sold for £ 2.6M including premium by Bonhams on December 1, 2013. Please watch the video shared by RM.
The C-Type Lightweight from 1953 is a transition model preparing the 1954 D-type. In 1955, the D-Type Long Nose carries the expectations of the brand. In the same year, for meeting the requirement to engage commercially available models in competition, Jaguar begins to produce in series the D-Type model with its 1954 "short nose".
The first two commercial D-Type, chassis XKD 501 and 502, are delivered in 1955 to Ecurie Ecosse, a private team that works closely with Jaguar. Due to an accident, XKD 501 cannot participate at Le Mans in its first year.
The disaster of Le Mans significantly changes the game. Mercedes-Benz will not return. In 1956, a regulatory limitation of the fuel creates a headache for high volume engines. The XKD 501 of the Ecurie Ecosse wins the race one lap ahead of an Aston Martin. The feat of the Ecurie Ecosse is of high merit because the car is equipped with a big 3.4-liter engine.
Still more important changes are being considered in the rules. In 1957 Jaguar terminates its racing team. In 1958 Le Mans limits the size of engines to 3 liters, precipitating the end of career of the glorious chain of the C-Types and D-Types. It is funny to note that "C" meant Competition while "D" is simply the next after C in the alphabet.
XKD 501 was maintained in its configuration and its engine of the 1956 Le Mans victory. Its condition is certainly the most authentic among the five Jaguar that won at Le Mans in the 1950s. It had been fitted before Le Mans with the engine from the third D -Type of Ecurie Ecosse, XKD 561, a car that the team mostly used as a spare.
XKD 501 is estimated $ 20M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 19, lot 114. In its class, glory brings an added value : in very good condition, XKD 561 was sold for £ 2.6M including premium by Bonhams on December 1, 2013. Please watch the video shared by RM.
1955 Power and Stability of the Ferrari 410S
2012 SOLD 8.25 M$ including premium
The variety of the races on road and track forced the best brands in the 1950s to imagine the solutions needed to win in all circumstances. The diversity of models, sometimes built in only a few units, is a direct consequence.
In 1955, the Carrera Panamericana, on the rough roads of Mexico, is one of the most dangerous races. Ferrari, of course, wants to win and designs the 410S for this goal. S in 410S means Sport, not to be confused with the 410 Superamerica released on the same year.
The 410S is a technical achievement. It comes in the continuity of the 375 Plus, with an increased power of the engine and an improved stability by a slight reduction of the chassis. It was probably the most powerful car of its time, even when considering all brands.
Four units were built. The last two were for the competition, where they had a very short career due to the questionings related to the disaster at Le Mans, including the cancellation of the Carrera Panamericana. The first unit received a spyder body comparable to racing models.
The second 410S, for sale on August 17 by RM Auctions in Monterey, is unique.
Specially designed for its original owner, it was realized as a road car with a body designed and built by Scaglietti. This berlinetta is the only closed car of this extraordinary and exceedingly rare model. Aesthetically speaking, with its very long bonnet, it can be considered as a masterpiece of Scaglietti.
I invite you to play the video shared on YouTube by RM Auctions.
POST SALE COMMENT
This Ferrari remarkable for its performance for the period and its unique body has been sold for $ 7.5 million before fees, 8.25 million including premium.
In 1955, the Carrera Panamericana, on the rough roads of Mexico, is one of the most dangerous races. Ferrari, of course, wants to win and designs the 410S for this goal. S in 410S means Sport, not to be confused with the 410 Superamerica released on the same year.
The 410S is a technical achievement. It comes in the continuity of the 375 Plus, with an increased power of the engine and an improved stability by a slight reduction of the chassis. It was probably the most powerful car of its time, even when considering all brands.
Four units were built. The last two were for the competition, where they had a very short career due to the questionings related to the disaster at Le Mans, including the cancellation of the Carrera Panamericana. The first unit received a spyder body comparable to racing models.
The second 410S, for sale on August 17 by RM Auctions in Monterey, is unique.
Specially designed for its original owner, it was realized as a road car with a body designed and built by Scaglietti. This berlinetta is the only closed car of this extraordinary and exceedingly rare model. Aesthetically speaking, with its very long bonnet, it can be considered as a masterpiece of Scaglietti.
I invite you to play the video shared on YouTube by RM Auctions.
POST SALE COMMENT
This Ferrari remarkable for its performance for the period and its unique body has been sold for $ 7.5 million before fees, 8.25 million including premium.
1955 Ferrari 250 GT
2021 SOLD for € 6.2M by RM Sotheby's
In the GT class, the Ferrari 250 was originally made in two series, the 250 Europa released in 1953 with a Lampredi V12 engine, and the 250 Europa GT released in 1954 with a V12 Colombo.
For the GT competition, the successful 250 MM will need a successor. In 1955 Ferrari prepares in four prototypes a Speciale 250 Europa GT Competizione with the V12 Colombo.
The third prototype is fitted by Pinin Farina as a berlinetta similar to the 375 MM. This forerunner of the TdF was sold € 6.2M by RM Sotheby's on November 19, 2021, lot 152. The engine, gear box and rear axle are in matching numbers.
For the GT competition, the successful 250 MM will need a successor. In 1955 Ferrari prepares in four prototypes a Speciale 250 Europa GT Competizione with the V12 Colombo.
The third prototype is fitted by Pinin Farina as a berlinetta similar to the 375 MM. This forerunner of the TdF was sold € 6.2M by RM Sotheby's on November 19, 2021, lot 152. The engine, gear box and rear axle are in matching numbers.
1955 Ferrari 250 GT
2013 SOLD 7.2 M$ including premium
The risk was with technical developments that increased the power and speed of the cars. The accident at Le Mans in 1955 led the organizers to create more stringent regulations. In Mexico, the very dangerous Carrera Panamericana is prohibited.
The Ferrari 250 GT supersedes at that time the glorious 250 MM, and will be as successful or even more. The berlinettas aim to win on the road. Pinin Farina designs for the competition a light aluminum body.
One of the earliest examples of 250 GT berlinetta competizione was delivered to Alfonso de Portago. Known to be mad of speed both on the road and in bobsleigh, the young marquess went to belong to the Scuderia Ferrari.
He sought the extreme speed, the rest did not matter. His berlinetta was white, without unnecessary equipment. It was restored as close as possible to its original configuration. It never had a major accident and retains its original engine.
This Ferrari is estimated $ 6.5 million, for sale on August 18 at Pebble Beach by Gooding, lot 143. It is a wonderful witness to its tragic year.
Two years later on 12 May 1957, Portago enters the worst sporting legend with another Ferrari. A tire explodes at 240 Km/h. He and his co-pilot are killed along with ten spectators. The accident, one of the most serious in the history of car racing, generates the definitive suspension of the prestigious Mille Miglia race.
POST SALE COMMENT
Great Ferrari cars find buyers. This one was sold for $ 7.2 million including premium, which corresponds to its lower estimate.
The Ferrari 250 GT supersedes at that time the glorious 250 MM, and will be as successful or even more. The berlinettas aim to win on the road. Pinin Farina designs for the competition a light aluminum body.
One of the earliest examples of 250 GT berlinetta competizione was delivered to Alfonso de Portago. Known to be mad of speed both on the road and in bobsleigh, the young marquess went to belong to the Scuderia Ferrari.
He sought the extreme speed, the rest did not matter. His berlinetta was white, without unnecessary equipment. It was restored as close as possible to its original configuration. It never had a major accident and retains its original engine.
This Ferrari is estimated $ 6.5 million, for sale on August 18 at Pebble Beach by Gooding, lot 143. It is a wonderful witness to its tragic year.
Two years later on 12 May 1957, Portago enters the worst sporting legend with another Ferrari. A tire explodes at 240 Km/h. He and his co-pilot are killed along with ten spectators. The accident, one of the most serious in the history of car racing, generates the definitive suspension of the prestigious Mille Miglia race.
POST SALE COMMENT
Great Ferrari cars find buyers. This one was sold for $ 7.2 million including premium, which corresponds to its lower estimate.
1955 Jaguar for Privateers
2021 SOLD for $ 6M including premium
Jaguar is hoping to make a commercial profit from the great performance of the D-Type in 1954 at Le Mans : second position overall for Hamilton and Rolt and top speed record at 278 Km/h by Moss. In the following year the brand accepts orders from private teams. The improved 'long nose' variant will however remain for the exclusive use of the works team.
A little more than 50 short nosed cars are produced for the trade. After the 1956 season Jaguar observes the saturation of the market and all the chassis remaining in the factory are converted into the road going XKSS limited series. Ecurie Ecosse's victories at Le Mans in 1956 and 1957 do not revert the termination of the D-Type.
Selling it was never easy. A red painted D-Type sent to a dealer in Manchester in December 1955 cannot find a buyer. Returned to London, it finally dazzles a driver who buys it to Bernie Ecclestone acting as a trader. After a significant participation in British races from 1956 to 1958, the car becomes the property of the female driver Jean Bloxham who races it twice.
This D-Type has never been modified or damaged and has even been repainted in its original factory red. Former owners praised its comfort and its ideal handling in heavy rain. It is estimated $ 5.75M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Scottsdale AZ on January 22, 2021, lot 141. It had passed from a much higher estimate at Gooding on January, 19, 2018, lot 55.
A little more than 50 short nosed cars are produced for the trade. After the 1956 season Jaguar observes the saturation of the market and all the chassis remaining in the factory are converted into the road going XKSS limited series. Ecurie Ecosse's victories at Le Mans in 1956 and 1957 do not revert the termination of the D-Type.
Selling it was never easy. A red painted D-Type sent to a dealer in Manchester in December 1955 cannot find a buyer. Returned to London, it finally dazzles a driver who buys it to Bernie Ecclestone acting as a trader. After a significant participation in British races from 1956 to 1958, the car becomes the property of the female driver Jean Bloxham who races it twice.
This D-Type has never been modified or damaged and has even been repainted in its original factory red. Former owners praised its comfort and its ideal handling in heavy rain. It is estimated $ 5.75M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Scottsdale AZ on January 22, 2021, lot 141. It had passed from a much higher estimate at Gooding on January, 19, 2018, lot 55.
1955 Porsche against the Giants
2016 SOLD for $ 5.3M including premium
The increase of power of the racing cars in the first half of the 1950s seems inevitable and is indeed somewhat frightening when we consider in rear view the disasters at Le Mans and in the Mille Miglia.
Amidst the bolides by Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and Maserati, Porsche has the merit of finding innovative solutions by promoting small cars with low displacement volumes in a brilliant technology that reaches the extreme limit of feasibility.
The 356 had opened to Porsche the market of the sports cars. The 550 Spyder is their first experience of a car designed for the race. From its first competition in 1953, this model with a 1.5 liter engine built its reputation as a killer of giants.
The 550 is a victim of its own success and many units were damaged. One of them, made in 1955, is in an exceptional condition close to a time capsule.
Its early history is not known. Discovered by an amateur in Massachusetts in the early 1960s within a lot of second hand cars, it has preserved up to now its original paint and upholstery, and of course kept also its matching number equipment. It is one of very few examples by which an amateur can still retrieve the pleasure of driving an authentic Porsche Spyder of the 1950s.
This wonder was only 16,000 km from new when it was acquired in 2007 by Jerry Seinfeld. The comedian, also known for his great enthusiast in driving old Porsche cars, respected and maintained its perfect condition, adding only 800 Km to its odometer. Now he chooses to part ways from it. This car is estimated $ 5M for sale by Gooding in Amelia Island on March 11, lot 034.
Amidst the bolides by Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and Maserati, Porsche has the merit of finding innovative solutions by promoting small cars with low displacement volumes in a brilliant technology that reaches the extreme limit of feasibility.
The 356 had opened to Porsche the market of the sports cars. The 550 Spyder is their first experience of a car designed for the race. From its first competition in 1953, this model with a 1.5 liter engine built its reputation as a killer of giants.
The 550 is a victim of its own success and many units were damaged. One of them, made in 1955, is in an exceptional condition close to a time capsule.
Its early history is not known. Discovered by an amateur in Massachusetts in the early 1960s within a lot of second hand cars, it has preserved up to now its original paint and upholstery, and of course kept also its matching number equipment. It is one of very few examples by which an amateur can still retrieve the pleasure of driving an authentic Porsche Spyder of the 1950s.
This wonder was only 16,000 km from new when it was acquired in 2007 by Jerry Seinfeld. The comedian, also known for his great enthusiast in driving old Porsche cars, respected and maintained its perfect condition, adding only 800 Km to its odometer. Now he chooses to part ways from it. This car is estimated $ 5M for sale by Gooding in Amelia Island on March 11, lot 034.
1955 A Lovely Spider by Frua
2018 SOLD for $ 5.2M including premium
Maserati specializes in racing cars. The single-seater A6GCM (Corsa Monoposto) with a 2-liter Colombo engine is exceptionally robust, finishing more than half of its races from 1952 to 1954.
The first model of road cars had appeared in 1947. The A6GCS/53 (Corsa Sportivo) introduced in 1953 is targeting the endurance races with technical solutions inspired by the A6GCM. The spider designed by Fantuzzi is essentially a two-seater version of the A6GCM.
Italians love pretty cars. In 1954 the official dealer of Maserati in Rome had assembled on chassis A6GCS/53 four berlinettas by Pinin Farina and one spider by Carrozzeria Frua. He is delighted with the elegance and balance of the Frua spider and orders two more that are assembled in 1955.
Frua is not lucky in that operation : his client is in financial difficulty and loses the Maserati franchise. Frua keeps the cars and looks for other customers. One of these cars sold in 1957 crossed the Atlantic in 1959 to charm a Californian. Appreciated for its glamorous appearance, it is very early exhibited in concours d'elegance. This spider is older, rarer and cuter than Ferrari's California.
Unfortunately its playboy owner was not a good mechanic : around 1964 he irreparably destroys the engine by a lack of maintenance in water. It is replaced by a similar engine from an A6G/54.
The Maserati Frua is estimated $ 5.5M for sale by Gooding at Pebble Beach on August 25, lot 135. Here is the link to the press release.
The first model of road cars had appeared in 1947. The A6GCS/53 (Corsa Sportivo) introduced in 1953 is targeting the endurance races with technical solutions inspired by the A6GCM. The spider designed by Fantuzzi is essentially a two-seater version of the A6GCM.
Italians love pretty cars. In 1954 the official dealer of Maserati in Rome had assembled on chassis A6GCS/53 four berlinettas by Pinin Farina and one spider by Carrozzeria Frua. He is delighted with the elegance and balance of the Frua spider and orders two more that are assembled in 1955.
Frua is not lucky in that operation : his client is in financial difficulty and loses the Maserati franchise. Frua keeps the cars and looks for other customers. One of these cars sold in 1957 crossed the Atlantic in 1959 to charm a Californian. Appreciated for its glamorous appearance, it is very early exhibited in concours d'elegance. This spider is older, rarer and cuter than Ferrari's California.
Unfortunately its playboy owner was not a good mechanic : around 1964 he irreparably destroys the engine by a lack of maintenance in water. It is replaced by a similar engine from an A6G/54.
The Maserati Frua is estimated $ 5.5M for sale by Gooding at Pebble Beach on August 25, lot 135. Here is the link to the press release.
