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1-Of-3: 1951 Maserati A6G/2000 Frua Spyder

The automotive industry has evolved dramatically over the past 70-years, and many traits once considered to be relatively common have now disappeared into the mists of time. One of those is the work of specialist coachbuilders. Manufacturers had the option to send their creations to these artists to have them weave their magic in steel, aluminum, or fiberglass. With body-on-frame making way for unitary construction, this has enormously reduced the scope of this type of work. However, it was an option that was still available in the 1950s, and companies like Maserati utilized it to produce some achingly beautiful cars. One of these was the Maserati A6G/2000 Spyder, and this vehicle is 1-of-3 built on a short wheelbase chassis by renowned coachbuilders Carrozzeria Pietro Frua. This car has undergone a recent painstaking restoration, and it is as beautiful now as the day it rolled out of the Frua studio. The owner has decided to part with this rare Italian thoroughbred, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. The Maserati is located in Reno, Nevada, and the bidding has reached $42,600. However, I suspect that there is some way to go before the reserve will be met.

The owner provides a comprehensive history of this Maserati, and it has led quite a life in both Italy and the US. The company delivered the A6G to Carrozzeria Pietro Frua in July of 1950, and it took Frua six months to create the beautiful bespoke body. It was instantly snapped up by its first owner and then changed hands several times before finding its way onto US soil in around 1957. It plied Californian roads for a few years before it was used in SCCA competition for a while by one of its owners. The car was later retired to a single-car garage and remained untouched until the owner passed away. His daughters inherited the vehicle, and after years of negotiation, the car changed hands in 2000. The new owner returned the Maserati to Italy, and it was here that the body was painstakingly restored to its former glory. The panels are laser straight, with no evidence of ripples or other marks. The deep blue paint shines beautifully, with a glass-like appearance. The trim and chrome are faultless, but these caused some heartache during the restoration process. Some pieces had been damaged or lost, but the restoration company managed to produce replacement parts utilizing molds taken from another A6G. The wire wheels are correct for the vehicle, as is the soft-top. Overall, this is an Italian classic that would seem to need nothing.

The Maserati isn’t a number-matching classic, but the engine bay houses a correct 1,954cc OHC 6-cylinder engine. Maserati bolted a 4-speed manual transmission to this, which sends the six’s 110hp to the rear wheels. It seems that almost every aspect of this classic has a story to tell, and the motor is no exception. The car retained its original six (#2017) until it came to California. The owner at that time decided to perform a transplant, and a Corvette six found its way under the hood. This probably made sense because maintenance and performance upgrades for a Corvette motor would be easier to find in California than for a thoroughbred Italian sports car. When the restoring owner purchased the car, he also managed to find another engine. This was engine #2013, which had been fitted to another A6G. That car was competing in the 1948 Mille Miglia when it was involved in a fatal accident. The vehicle was dismantled, and it was that engine that we find in this car today. Incredibly, engine #2017 also exists, but it currently resides in an A6/1500 that is in Italy. When the restoring owner shipped the Maserati to Italy, he entrusted it to the specialists at Officine Candini to return the A6G to its factory specifications. The work has been completed, and this classic is ready to be driven and enjoyed by its next owner.

The Maserati’s interior presents just as beautifully as the rest of the vehicle, and its restoration is the handiwork of Italian specialists Interni Maieli. All of the upholstered surfaces are trimmed in rich red leather, and this appears to be flawless. All of that leather gives the interior a luxurious and inviting appearance, but components like the beautiful Jaeger gauges add a touch of purpose for the sporting driver. The wood-rimmed wheel is free from wear, and the carpet is just as impressive. The Maserati doesn’t come with niceties like a radio, but there is a clock fitted into the dash on the passenger side. Entertainment on the road is restricted to talking to your passenger or listening to the sweet song being played by that glorious Maserati six.

This 1951 Maserati A6G/2000 is a beautiful car, and you will almost certainly be waiting a long time before you see another example of the short-wheelbase version. The quality of the restoration work is difficult to fault, and it is one of those classics that is much a sculpture as it is a car. I have sat admiring these photos for hours, and I continue to find small details that add to the vehicle’s overall beauty and appeal. I said that there was probably some way to go before the auction reaches its reserve, and I have said this with some justification. With only three examples built, they rarely come onto the market. However, this car was sold at auction back in 2019. The sale price was an eye-watering $2,755,000! Since then, a lot has changed globally, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see this magnificent car break through the $3 million barrier. Would you drive it for that price, or is its fate to serve as a museum exhibit?

Comments

  1. Avatar Oldog4tz

    I guess I have been totally left behind in a world of 3 million dollar cars on fleabay

    Like 6
    • Avatar Steveo

      As I was reading the description I was thinking ‘$42.6k…gee, even if it goes to $60k I have that kind of money for this car…” and it got better as I read on but then I got to the $3 million bit, and sadly, no…not today.

      Like 1
  2. Avatar DayDreamBeliever

    This is an undeniably attractive car.

    The basic form is simple and clean, with just enough added attractions to make it really interesting to look at.

    From 70 years ago, this car has wheels which fill up the wheel wells, as is a very popular trend today. The restoration work appears to be exemplary.

    What a beautiful car.

    Like 13
  3. Avatar DayDreamBeliever

    BTW Adam, the text in the eBay listing indicates that a Corvette V8 resided in the engine compartment for a while, not a Chevy 6.

    Like 1
  4. Avatar Bluetec320 Member

    I really like this car! I like the cyclops headlight, the lines, and the colors. But even if I had the money to buy this, I would not because of the death engine under the hood. It would creep me out everything I drove it.

    Like 3
  5. Avatar Ralph

    Very pretty incredible and expensive car here.
    With the engine in it I don’t think I’d want this though.
    BTW current Maserati engines are built by Ferrari, does anyone know if that was the case way back then? My knowledge is not that great on Maserati history.
    Man what a car, classic fir sure.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Geoff

      Ralph, No Maserati had no connection to Ferrari back then. They were competitors. Maserati had a very long racing heritage long before Ferrari ever came along

      Like 2
  6. Avatar TimM

    Like every one is saying this is a great looking car!! Sporty and I bet for a car this old it handles great!! Having the car restored by its maker is a positive thing as well!! It almost insures no corners being cut!! Could you imagine one of the big three here in the US doing such a thing!! It might put some restoration shops out of business but you’d have a factor rebuilt car!! The idea of that is awesome!!

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Jeff

    I would drive it, not everyday but it would be on the road and not sitting in a garage

    Like 4
    • Avatar Steveo

      Exactly right. If you have $3 million for a car, you have the money to fix it if it needs something. Drive it and enjoy your money.

      Like 1
  8. Avatar Superdessucke

    So essentially, it once got today’s equivalent of an LS swap. How utterly ghastly.

    Like 3
  9. Avatar Jim

    Why would anybody post this car on EBay? Shouldn’t it be in a auction?

    Like 4
    • Avatar MikeH

      My thought exactly! A 3 mil car on ebay? My first thought was that it is a fake. But you can’t make a fake when only 3 were produced.

      Like 1
  10. Avatar Neil G

    The first word out of my mouth was NICE. That is until I saw the red convertible top and went UGH but thought I could replace it with a black top. Then reality set in when I saw the $3 million barrier and thought, Oh well, time to look at the next car…

    Like 3
  11. Avatar pete vasquez

    Maserati ( the Maserati brothers ) was independent car company , producing everything …..
    under their roof . in the day , a lot of Italian Car company’s
    ( Ferrari )made and sold road cars to fund their racing . ( G.P. &
    LeMans ) ..Maserati was direct competition to Ferrari .

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Scott Marquis

    Sadly, spent my last $3 million on true Unobtanium: toilet paper, Lysol wipes and Grape Nuts.

    Like 9
  13. Avatar losgatos_dale

    I actually enjoyed a couple minutes of fantasy that maybe, just maybe once more in my lifetime I could drive another vehicle onto the fairway at the Quail. Thanks for the sandbag about price :-) well-written

    Like 0
  14. Avatar DonS

    Beautiful car. I doubt I will ever see it in person. Wow.

    As for listing on eBay…. Global market. Cheap fees. Probably will sell off eBay in the months ahead. Hopefully someone gets to drive it around Italy yet this summer.

    Like 1
  15. Avatar Howie Mueler

    Yes $100k now and reserve not met. Why not a fancy auction rather than FeeBay?

    Like 1
  16. Avatar t-bone bob

    Ended:
    May 04, 2021 , 1:38PM
    Current bid:
    US $105,200.00
    [ 48 bids ]

    Reserve not met

    Like 1
  17. Avatar Araknid78

    Located in Reno, NV

    Like 0

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