A6G-2000 Allemano

This certainly looks different.
A6G-2000 Allemano sn2144-2147 for the upcoming Artcurial Auction in Paris.
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Yep. But already discussed here!

 

Any history on this car (2116)? Photo from the net.
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First owner from Venezuela. Stayed in that country until the 80s.
Fitted with a non-matching-no.-engine
Now in Italy.

 

The picture was taken in front of a hotel I know, "Villa Olmi Resort" in Florence. I stayed there for a couple of days 2 years ago. The hotel owner is a Ferrari enthusiast, maybe this beautiful Maserati is also in his collection today.

 

I was recently presented this car #2116. If you have any more information about #2116 or car #2112 please email me.

 

Beautiful....

 

#2112 is a Zagato coupe, owned by a friend of mine.
#2116 has a non-matching-no.-engine fitted. It was a spare engine for #2112 and bears the same no.!

 

The A6G 2000 engine from the Zagatos had no gasket!
It is much likely that Maserati made 2 engines for #2112 (as they did with #2148!).
I contacted the FActory about this case with #2112 and they confirmed to me that #2116 received the engine #2112 "...later than 1965...". At that time chassis #2112 was in the USA since 8 years and - with engine!
I recently checked the engine of #2112 and there are no (!) traces of any over-stamping etc.! Also the internal-no. is the same as listed on the build-sheet.

What the owner of chassis #2112 does not like is the fact that someone in the USA offers his car for sale!

I was offered #2116 for sale 3 months ago via a person I never met or had any conversation with. Unfortunately at some point this person never answered some more specific questions.............!

 

What were the main differences in the engines fitted to the Zagato AG6’s, and the engines fitted to all other AG6’s in that series? Did all the AG6’s have Weber 40dc03’s, or was this just the Zagato Comp cars ? Or did the other production AG6’s have different carburetors, or lesser competition engine features, such as the gasketless engine ?

 

I saw two A6G 2000 engines, side by side. One was from an A6G 2000 Frua and the other from a Zagato. Despite the different carburetors we could not see any differences.

What makes a difference between both cars (and the Allemano) is the much less weight of the Zagato. Another difference was the gearbox. Maserati supplied 2 versions:

- from ZF and synchronised (very similar to the BMW 507/503)
- from Zagato in-house, non-synchronised.

While all Zagato had the in-house version, both boxes had been fitted to all other cars, possibly on demand by the 1st owners.

 

I was sent to Geneva a couple years back to look at #2116 for client , was a very honest car. Not perfect but also not over restored. There were some questions on the engine number and I drove it before the engine was rebuilt so at the time it needed a rebuild.

Here is a video taken from the inspection in Gstaad,


Maserati A6G 2000 on Vimeo


Zac

 

Probably you are already aware, but the Zagato in-house gearbox is the same as used in the A6 1500.

Don

 

Thank you for responding to my questions. It has taken me time to research your comments on the original engine *2112*.

I have found no evidence that the original engine *2112* is installed in any other Maserati A6G/54 other than *2116*. I have found no evidence that where was a duplicate engine with the a genuine Maserati signature stamping *2112*. The evidence I see is that the Zagato *2112* is a restamping, as the Zagato car lost it’s engine to *2116*.

I checked with Maserati reviewing the factory archives. Maserati did not produce two engines numbered *2112*. It was not in the normal course of Maserati’s production to do such things, especially in that series. For *2112* there is no documentation to support this. In all of the works records there is nothing to suggest another motor manufactured with this 2112 number at any time. Comparing this duplicate engine possibility of 2148 to 2112 is not a credible possibility. Further the factory build sheet on *2112* has no mention of this.

There is an “internal” engine number ( IN) on all production A6G engines. This was used by the factory at that time for logistic in-house purposes. It was stamped on the engine block only. This number is held in confidence by the Maserati archivist and only people who had reviewed the build sheets would have that information. So, let us go further on the mix up on why *2112* is now in *2116*.

In the “Orsini-Zagari” book it is correctly reported that the engine in *2116* was replaced on 16th May 1957 at the factory, the factory now confirms this today with the technical data sheet of the A6G/54 chassis *2116*. This A6G was sold to it’s first owner in June 1957, there is no record on who , if anyone u, sed the car before the first delivery.

We know that when *2116* was build the engine *2116* was installed. It was recorded that the engine *2116*was replaced by the factory 16th May 1957 before the delivery to the Venezuelan new owner. But the I.N. of the new engine fitted in May 1957 is reported on the data sheet is not the I.N. of the engine *2112*.

When it was delivered to the first owner in 1957, 2116 was fitted with a replacement engine of an unknown number but with an IN not the same as the one on *2112*. There is no record on which engine number was installed into *2116* on May 16, 1957. Given this affirmation , how and when did the engine *2112* find it’s way into *2116*?

In the Maserati Archives at the factory, there is a contemporize hand written note that Mr. Cozza reports that *2116* was fitted with engine * 2112* by someone between after 1965.

In Arizona, in the 1980’s, when owned by Mr Ron McKinney of Phoenix, Arizona the Zagato car *2112* did not have it’s original motor. When owned by Ron McKinney he wanted to locate it and at that time tried to obtain some missing exterior trim directly from the factory but he failed to locate the 2112 motor or even the correct type of motor. In fact , when 2112 was exported from the USA , it had no engine at all. That is well known fact, not written into your Zagato book. I believe I have a photo of it with no engine. During the restoration for Count Vittorio Zanon suddenly 2112 appeared with an engine stamped 2112.

The engine data plate for the engine *2112* is mounted on the cowl of *2116* next to the chassis plate *2116* , both these plates have been on *2116* for decades, and are genuine.

I did see *2112* in Monaco in 1999, and I am certain I still have the photo of the engine and stampings I took in 1999 when I viewed the Zagato *2112* with an attentive interest in the motor. I’ll have to check an old hard drive.

In my opinion, there is only one *2112* original motor, and that motor has been installed in *2116* car since the 1960’s.

 

Mr. Cox,
please understand that the first engines Maserati made for the A6G/54 had single ignition. This was with chassis #2102, #2105, #2106, #2107 and most likely also with #2112 as it was a very early car.

All this cars -despite chassis #2105- had been converted little later by the Factory to double-ignition.

This change of engines had been reported by Denis Jenkinson in his report for MOTORSPORT upon his and Moss`test drive prior to the MM 1956 in chassis #2102.

Maserati made -at least- for one car two engines: #2148 received a new motor, stamped 2148 with its 1st owner Tedeschi. The "old" and damaged engine, also correctly stamped 2148, survived and was purchased by the current owner of chassis #2148 about 4 years ago.

btw.- Maserati produced a 2nd engine for the 300S #3073. This car was delivered new to MCA in Long Island together with a 2nd motor stamped 3073. All MCA-records survived and this is confirmed on the invoice to MCA for that chassis.

However - The Alemanno #2116 is a non-matching-no.-car today. It was offered to me for sale by a very strange contact about 7 months ago. It comes for sale by BONHAMS in Belgium very soon. We`ll see....

 

Thank you for those details. Your point that 2148 had two engines because of a damaged one, and that 300S #3078 had a replacement gives no credence to the story of the Zagato 2112 arriving with no engine to Italy in the 1990’s while it’s engine was fitted to *2116*. If those comparable 2148 & 3078 instances have support documentation, the 2112 Zagato has none.

The documentation in your Zagato book ommits important information that the Zagato 2112 arrives in Europe from the USA in 1990’s no engine, and then appears suddenly in the late 1990’s with Count Vittorio Zanon with the another engine *2112*.

It’s only recently that this ‘’two’’ engine theories start to be a used as a possibility. My point was here is no evidence to suggest that 2112 ever had a second engine produced by the factory, none whatsoever. There are no notes, no invoices, no remarks, and nothing historical from any of the owners or from Maserati’s Factory Archives. Nothing Exist.

What we have here is a Zagato A6G *2112* with non-matching numbers, and also the Allemano *2116* . It’s clear that the original Zagato *2112* engine was fitted to *2116*. In my opinion, and seeing the ''fog level'' of chassis *2112* , the 2112 engine in the Zagato is either a re-stamped Italian job by Team Zanon, or a forged original engine – it’s one or the other. Forget about what you see, we all know stamping dies are existing in most good shops.

All that makes both these A6G/54s non-matching number cars. IMO it enhances the value of 2116, and it hits the value of the Zagato 2112 between the headlights at 100 KM an hour. That important signature piece of the Zagato *2112* is on another canvas.

The fact that you failed to mention the Zagato 2112 arriving in EEC in the 1990’s engine-less in your Zagato book is easy to assess, but if that Zagato is down the street from you, owned by a friend is there another reason for non-disclosure in your book?

Now that this is all about matching numbers, I am trying to arrive at a value for the 2112 engine by not having it in the Zagato. That means, the Zagato 2112 will be certainly examined at one point in time, and the cat will be out of the bag.

I ask these question not in condemation to the errors in your fine book, but to broach the subject given the recent record price of an Allemano AG6 2190 , cut into the format of a different design A6GCS chassis , fitted with an engine called an A6GCS ( I see nothing in the records that it ever was), fitted with an Alfa Romeo gearbox, and adapted to a beautiful original body from a different model Maserati – all built up and selling for $2,530,000. I guess you can consider 2190 a replica of the original car, using parts from another type Maserati or how else describe it?

Are the facts in this market really important, and even if a signature component is altered or forged, is it just normal to accept it? What’s to stop me from building a Zagato with the original 2112 engine – I wouldn’t even have to cut the chassis. I can build a zagato body for less than $200,000 totally completed by Zagato.

My point with the heat of this reply is not to upset the experts out there that we all rely on, but to come to a better resource of documentation that stands the acid test. Your response is of great interest of course. I am no Maserati expert, just someone who reads the fine print and I am interested on professional opinions of experts and how academic those need to be constant and reliable. I am responding to you because you are an expert in these Maserati Masterpieces, and when experts talk, I listen. I am listening.

 

Mr. Cox,

to set one thing clear:

when my friend purchased #2112 in 2005 in Holland (where it had been sold by Simon Kidston as a matching-no.-car!) he was not aware that the car had no engine installed when came back from the US! Nor was I - and: was I not involved in the sale of the car!
At that time #2116 was somewhat off the radar and when I came across an Italian magazine feature about it I was surprised to find a "2nd" engine 2112 in it.
Little earlier I had found the 2nd engine 2148 in Italy. All this three engines were correctly stamped (typography etc). So the assumption that Maserati made a 2nd engine 2112 was logical (btw. - Maserati did not mention anywhere that they made spare-engines of the same no. Not with #2148 nor with the 300S #3073 or any other car - but they did!).

Also Maserati threw away their older build-sheets when they issued a new one. So any concrete (earlier) proof is not there by any (earlier) document. That they converted the early Zagato from single to double ignition is not written anywhere! It was told to me by Cozza...

The fact that chassis #2112 is owned by a friend of mine has nothing to do with my writing of the 2112-chapter for my book nor had it any whatsoever influence on it.

 

Mr. Baeumer,

Thank you for replying. Let me fill in your missing 2112 history- so you know for your future book.

Your statement about missing records, and Maserati 's possibility making a second engine for 2112 doesn’t hold water at all . I surprised to hear that, still.

The 2112 file at Maserati was not destroyed, misplaced or altered – nor was that of 2116. All the information is still there, in full.

The arrival of 2112 in Italy in 1990 is well known, and the missing engine is no secret, it’s never been a secret. I knew that Ron McKinnley could never find a correct motor for the Zagato, he searched for a long time – giving up in the end.

I looked at the Zagato 2112 car in the USA in the 1980’s. At that time no one would ever consider buying another good car for just the engine, and 2116 was off the screen I agree.

What , when, and why you wrote the chapter of your friend’s 2112 car is now not relative. I do understand that facts change when new information is found and affirmed by documents, history, and in photos - questions never stop coming, as we both know.

So, you can have this information to add to your 2112 Zagato history . Massimo Colombo had bought 2112 from America in unrestored condition, it came from American with no engine. The car was in Italy in May 1990. Colombo sold it to Zanon. Zanon had it restored in Italy, then it appeared with an engine stamped 2112. For some time, no one would touch the car, because everyone know the engine was not the genuine one.

Attached for your amended book is a photo of 2112 take in May 1990, as it sat in Italy with no engine.
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Thank you Walter for sharing your views and passion on A6G/54's. I do agree, it is allot of car compared to the F-cars. Under rated, and so rare. the actually have not ''come-onn' yet. Consider a 330GTC or a A6G/2000 ---------wow.

I may not sleep if I build a Zagato against the original coachwork. IThe frua made it tempting, Sam Mann is not the only person allowed to cobble up cars and make them prettier

If I manage the sleep, I am certainly going to Hell for doing such a thing !
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The description of the "De Zoute" sale of 2116 is online:

1957 Maserati A6G/54GT Coupé
Registration no. Carrozzeria Allemano
Chassis no. 2116
Engine no. 2112 (see text below)
When post-war production resumed in 1947, as well as continuing in its traditional role as builder of Grand Prix cars, Maserati commenced the manufacture of sports-racing and road cars. Its first true road-going model - the A6 1500 - made its sensational public debut at the 1947 Geneva Salon, where the Pinin Farina-bodied coupé was well received by both press and public. The A6 1500's engine was a 1,488cc single-overhead-camshaft six, similar to the A6GCS sports car's 2.0-litre unit. Its chassis was of the ladder frame type, the double-wishbone front suspension was derived from racing practice and coil springs suspended the live rear axle.

In 1954 Maserati introduced the A6G/54, which was clearly aimed at customers seeking to combine everyday road-going practicality with occasional competition use. The first A6G/54 made its debut at the 1954 Paris Salon, wearing coupé coachwork by Carrozzeria Frua. The A6G engine was an in-line six-cylinder with twin overhead camshafts and bore/stroke dimensions of 76.5x72mm for a displacement of 1,986cc. Equipped with three twin-choke Weber car¬burettors, it delivered a claimed 150bhp at 6,000rpm. Dry weight was around 840kg and maximum speed in the region of 195-210km/h. The A6G/54's tubular chassis was similar to that of its predecessor's but incorporated improved suspension and A6GCS inspired steering and brakes.

Bodies were commissioned from Zagato (20 coupés and one spider), Frua (six coupés and 12 spiders) and Allemano (21 coupés). Maserati designated them 'Tipo A' for the Frua Spyder, 'Tipo B' for the Frua Coupé, 'Tipo C' for the Allemano Coupé and 'Tipo D' for the Zagato Coupé, the latter being a lightweight version intended for racing in the GT category. Frua had enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Maserati but the Turin-based coachbuilder was slow to introduce new styles, preferring quirky embellishments of existing designs, and delivery times were lengthy. Zagato's spartan, competition orientated offerings were not to everyone's taste either, so Maserati looked for an alternative, which it found in Serafino Allemano, another Torinese coachbuilder.

Soberly attractive, Allemano's coupés are characterised by fine and accurate workmanship, fully in accordance with Maserati's policy of building highly prestigious grand touring cars. Luxury accessories such as a radio, a Smiths heating system, and fitted luggage for the boot compartment, emphasised the move towards a high quality product.

Chassis number 2116 is one of the mere 21 Allemano-bodied examples and was dispatched new from Maserati to Abdo G. Enrique of Maracaibo, Venezuela June 10, 1957. It carried a price tag of 3,034,000 Lire. According to the Maserati records and mentioned in the Orsini-Zagari Maserati book, page 151, a substitute engine was fitted to chassis number 2116 on May 16, 1957 by the Maserati Works before the delivery to the first official owner in Venezuela. Engine 2112 is a twin-plug racing engine to full A6GS specification, originally fitted to a Zagato-bodied A6G driven by Belgian racing driver Paul Frère in 1956. We are informed by the car's current custodian that annotations in the Maserati archives by Mr. Cozza, Maserati's then oldest employee from the 1950's who later became the factory's main archivist from the 1960's, show in his factory notes that as of the mid-1960's 2116 was confirmed as still running with engine 2112 . The original engine plate 2112 is still mounted to the bulkhead of 2116. According to the vendor the engine stamping 2112 on the sump, all the part and assembly numbers on the engine and cam tower, the original camshafts and all and every chassis identification number along with all the factory identification plates bear the original stampings and are genuine. In 2013 the racing engine 2112 - and gearbox underwent a total rebuild at a cost of circa €75,000. The vendor further informs us that it was confirmed by the Maserati archive department in July 2013 that there is no record, invoice, production order or notation of two engines bearing the same number in either the 2112 or 2116 archive files.

From the 1960s onwards the Maserati resided in Southern California and in 1981 was owned by Larry Wright of San Diego. In the 1990's it returned to Italy where it has been part of a prominent collection of Italian racing and sports cars near Firenze and was more recently prepared for participation in the Mille Miglia where it was accepted but did not compete as the owner decided to enter another car from his collection. The Maserati has also been featured in several magazines.

Today this rare car is believed to have covered a mere 103,200 kilometers from new and still retains its original colour scheme of 'Blu Ritratto' with chestnut leather trim. 2116 has always been well maintained and the coachwork has always been in excellent condition. The undercarriage is clean and orderly and the interior is mostly original and much of the chrome has never been restored Its coloured instrumentation matching the exterior colour is particularly noteworthy.

The Maserati is currently registered on Italian papers and comes with a copy of the California certificate of title, valid FIVA identity papers, an Italian ASI certificate, a copy of the original Maserati factory delivery order dated June 10th 1957, a Certificato D' Origine issued by Maserati April 19, 1957 along with the delivery order for the first owner. The latter document lists the car's original specification, and further 1957 documents confirm a fitting of the second engine.

Offered for sale at auction for the very first time ever, this handsomely presented rare Maserati A6G/54 berlinetta is eligible for the popular Mille Miglia and can participate in a multitude of other prestigious events run not only in Europe but also in Japan, Australia and the USA. A rare opportunity to acquire a stylish, competition derived Gran Turismo from an historic and respected marque which will celebrate its centenary year in 2014.
Estimate:
€450,000 - 650,000
£380,000 - 540,000
US$ 610,000 - 880,000

 

Good luck for the auction...

 

Its good you don't work in Private banking in switzerland.

 

nice feature, in case you havent seen this yet

Jay Leno Tries Out Somebody Else?s 1956 Maserati A6G-2000 Allemano - Carscoops

 

I'm really surprised that Leno and the owner don't know who is the designer.....he's Giovanni Michelotti!