MASERATI

6CM

1531

The Maserati 6CM stands as one of the most important racing cars in prewar motorsport history. Built for the fiercely competitive Voiturette class, the 1936 Maserati 6CM brought cutting edge engineering, balance, and performance to the fore. Chassis number 1531, one of the first and most significant examples, was originally fitted with the engine from the Maserati 4CM before receiving further upgrades and competing at the highest level for more than a decade.

Early Context and Development

By the mid 1930s, the Maserati brothers faced increasingly difficult competition in Grand Prix racing from Alfa Romeo’s well funded program and the formidable state backed Daimler Mercedes and Auto Union teams. Consequently, they made the strategic decision to focus on the voiturette one liter class, beginning with the four cylinder 4CM in 1932. The 4CM in its 1.1, 1.5, and 2.0 liter versions filled the grid until 1936 when Maserati developed the exceptional 6CM, emerging as one of the most successful voiturette racing cars of the prewar era.

As noted by Adam Ferrington and Alessandro Silva in “From Voiturettes to Formula 1,” Maserati completed 33 examples of the 6CM from 1936 to 1939, including a few 6CM 4CM hybrids. The model was originally powered by a twin overhead cam 1493 cc six cylinder engine, with a Weber 55ASL carburetor and Roots type supercharger producing 175 horsepower. The chassis featured a 2490 millimeter wheelbase and independent front suspension via torsion bars, initially paired with semi elliptic rear springs later refined to a quarter elliptic setup.

Chassis 1531 Factory Debut and Racing Pedigree

Chassis number 1531 is widely acknowledged as the first 6CM built, completed on 7 April 1936, painted in red, and receiving its Certificato di Origine on 9 April. Just two days later, it debuted at the Circuito di Monaco for the Coupe de Prince Rainier, driven by Gino Rovere, Maserati’s Chairman and main financial backer. Despite starting fourth on the grid, co driver Freddy Zehender retired with a broken accelerator.

The car was then entrusted to Count Carlo Felice “Didi” Trossi, who delivered significant works victories at the Nürburgring Eifelrennen, Grand Prix de Picardie, Circuito di Milano, Coppa Ciano, and more. In 1937, it passed to privateer Piero Dusio, who continued its winning form, including a notable victory at the Circuito di Milano under Eugenio Siena.

In 1938, the 6CM was campaigned by Squadra Automobilistica Torino with drivers such as Gianni Battaglia, Pietro Ghersi, and Giorgio Pelassa, achieving podiums at major races including Tripoli, Varese, and Berne. In 1939, it was sold to Andrea Brezzi, who replaced the engine with a powerful 1496 cc supercharged inline four from the 4CM. Piero Taruffi drove it to 8th at Tripoli in 1940, followed by Nunzio Nasi finishing 8th in the Targa Florio.

Postwar Revival and Modern Competition

After World War II, 1531 reappeared under the ownership of American Lucy O’Reilly Schell and her son Harry Schell. The car competed in top level postwar Grands Prix across France and Italy. Giovanni Bracco took over in 1947 with strong results in hillclimbs and circuit races, followed by Arthur Legat in 1949.

Through the 1950s to 1970s, the car passed through hands including André Pilette, Ken Rudd, and Joel E. Finn. In 1980 it joined Paul Colborne, and later Robin Lodge who restored and raced the car in the Grand Prix de l’Age d’Or in 2000. Collector Tommaso Gelmini actively raced it in the Shell Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge before it passed to Federico Buratti in the 2010s, who ran it at the Grand Prix Historique de Monaco and Donington.

Since 2017, chassis 1531 has resided in a prominent European collection. It was fully restored in Geneva and remains an active historic racing competitor. Notably, it achieved two podiums at the Grand Prix Historique de Monaco in 2018 and 2022.