The Maserati name has long been associated with speed, performance, and fortitude. However, not every car produced was an instant success. One such example is the A6G which was first introduce in 1947. This model was not well received, and turned out poor performance, and lacked in style. This was in part due to a 1.5 Liter engine that could only muster a mere 65 hp. Not what one wants when in a racing machine. This was a great place to begin though, and with some tweaking, the 1953 Maserati A6G/2000 Spider turned out to be a sweet little ride.
In 1951, the A6 went through a few modifications to improve its likeability. For starters, the single overhead cam was replaced by a 2.0 liter displacement that helped to improve the hp rating to 100. This was an improvement, but still not the best tasting candy on the market, so back to the drawing board for more modification.
The coachwork by Pinin Farina for the Berlina, the Coupe by Vignale, and the Spider models by Frua gave new life to the A6, but this was still not enough to have the 2nd wave of the A6 be the success that was hoped for. Only 16 were produced in this phase of the operation. With forward thinking, aspects of the automobile were taken to heart and a prize was conceived.
The phrase “third time is a charm” really came through for the Maserati with its third stab at the A6G/2000. A few things happened here that truly made the car a success. Although it was never a speed demon, the design of the car took on a classic racing look. The addition of the DOHC valve train and a dual-spark engine with natural aspiration helped to increase output to near 200hp. The 1953 Maserati A6G/2000 Spyder was later replaced by the 3500 GT, but it is still a classic car to appreciate.
