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1949 Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato)

Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949
Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949
Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949
Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949
Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949
Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949
Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949
Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949
Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949
Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949
Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949
Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949
Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949
Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949
Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949 - Interior
Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949 - Interior
Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949
Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949
Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949
Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949
Images: Zagato; Bonhams
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1946 Maserati A6G 1500 Coupé
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Zagato - The factory prototype
One of the most evocative names in the history of motor sport, Maserati devoted itself exclusively to racing prior to WW2, only turning to the manufacture of road cars in the late 1940s with the introduction of the A6 1500.

Società Anonima Officine Alfieri Maserati was founded in Bologna in December 1914 by Alfieri Maserati together with his brothers Ettore and Ernesto, the fledgling company specialising in the preparation and tuning of Isotta Fraschinis for road racing. In the early 1920s a successful collaboration with Diatto led to Alfieri designing his first Grand Prix car, powered by a 2.0-litre, supercharged, twin-overhead-camshaft, straight-eight engine. When Diatto folded, this design formed the basis of the first Maserati car, the Tipo 26 of 1926. The Maserati's debut was a successful one, Alfieri winning his class in that year's Targa Florio, a race dominated by Bugatti.

Maserati enjoyed outstanding success in European voiturette racing throughout the 1930s but its most remarkable result was achieved across the Atlantic: Wilbur Shaw winning the Indianapolis 500 at the wheel of a Tipo 8CTF in 1939, a feat he repeated the following year. By this time however, the surviving Maserati brothers had sold the firm to industrialist Adolfo Orsi, who relocated the company to nearby Modena.

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, and produced its maximum output of 65bhp at 4,700rpm. 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. Top speed, depending on coachwork, was in the region of 90-95mph. Of the 61 cars built between 1947 and 1950, most were bodied as coupés by Pinin Farina. Chassis number '052' though, wears typically stylish coachwork by Carrozzeria Zagato.

One of the oldest and most respected of automotive design firms, Zagato was founded in Milan in 1919 by Ugo Zagato, who used techniques learned in the wartime aeronautics industry to create a series of lightweight competition cars. Alfa Romeo immediately realised the potential of Zagato's designs and thus commenced a fruitful collaboration that lasts to this day. Legendary racing models such as Alfa's 1500, 1750 Gran Sport and 2300 8C were followed by luxurious coupés and roadsters on FIAT and Lancia chassis. After WW2 Zagato was quick to exploit the popularity of the new GT racing category, supplying factory teams and catering for the growing privateer scene with road-able cars that nevertheless could be driven competitively on the racetrack come the weekend. Zagato's own history records that, 'avante garde styling, together with light weight and wind-cheating lines were a trademark that distinguished Zagato's cars of that era - Maserati, Alfa Romeo, FIAT, Lancia, Abarth, Ferrari and Aston Martin.'

We are advised that chassis number '052' was extensively tested by the factory on the roads around Modena between October 1945 and September 1946. '052' is the second A6 1500, the numbering sequence having commenced with '051'. However, the latter had previously been classified as a Tipo 6CS/46, so arguably '052' is the first of the true A6 1500s. In its original form, the car was fitted with a Maserati-built barchetta body, pictures of which are on file together with dynamometer sheets recording tests carried out by the factory on the special racing engine, number '052', which features individually water-cooled cylinders. In 1948 Maserati sent the rolling chassis to Carrozzeria Zagato, where it was re-bodied with two-seater 'Panoramica'-style coupé coachwork in aluminium. This was the first such co-operation between Maserati and Zagato, making this car of even greater historical significance.

www.bonhams.com


In 1919, Ugo Zagato founded his carrozzeria bringing his expertise in aviation to what, at the time, was a new automotive sector.

In the ‘20s, the lightweight, aircraft-inspired Zagato bodyworks imposed themselves leaders in competition.

The innovative spirit of Zagato characterized the pioneering era of automobiles. Even during the Second World War, fleeing from the fury of conflict, Ugo Zagato continued his studies on aerodynamics.

In the late ‘40s, this focus created a new form called Panoramica, which was inspired by aircraft cockpits and influenced the innovative use of Plexiglas to model state-of-the-art glass surfaces for maximum visibility.

The Maserati A6 1500 was one of the first examples of this new experimental body: a breakthrough design and revolutionary form in every component that was also united by an innate and elegant class. So unique, only the classic Maserati front grill permitted this car recognition as a model of the Tridente.

Zagato


Основатель ателье Уго Загато (Ugo Zagato) до создания своей компании сменил несколько профессий, и в том числе занимался авиаконструированием. Свою страсть к самолётам Уго пронёс через годы и в 1947 году благодаря интересу главы фирмы к аэродинамике на свет появилось купе Panoramica. Интерьер модели был создан по образу самолётных кокпитов, а часть остекления была выполнена из плексигласа. Maserati A6 1500 стал одним из первых автомобилей, получивших инновационный дизайн кузова. Дизайн был настолько необычен, что только классическая решётка радиатора выдавала принадлежность модели к итальянской марке.
Coachbuilder: Zagato
1927 Bugatti Tipo 43 (Zagato), 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I (Zagato), 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport (Zagato), 1932 Maserati V4 Sport (Zagato), 1934 Isotta Fraschini 8A (Zagato), 1936 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Tipo Pescara (Zagato), 1936 Fiat 500A Topolino Trasformabile (Zagato), 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B (Zagato), 1938 Fiat 1500 Spider MM (Zagato), 1938 Lancia Aprilia Sport (Zagato), 1938 Lancia Aprilia Villoresi (Zagato), 1947 Fiat 1100 Panoramica (Zagato), 1947 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8C Monterosa (Zagato), 1948 Ferrari 166 MM Panoramica (Zagato), 1948 Fiat 1400 Panoramica (Zagato), 1948 MG 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1949 Alfa Romeo 2500 SS Panoramica (Zagato), 1949 Lancia Ardea Panoramica (Zagato), 1949 Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1950 Fiat 500 C Panoramica (Zagato), 1952 Fiat 8VZ (Zagato), 1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 SSZ (Zagato), 1954 Maserati A6G (Zagato), 1955 Maserati A6G Spider (Zagato), 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlina (Zagato), 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Corsa (Zagato), 1956 Ferrari 250 GTZ Prototipo (Zagato), 1957 Abarth 750 Spyder (Zagato), 1957 Abarth Fiat 500 GT Coupe (Zagato), 1957 Abarth Fiat 750 GT Coupe (Zagato), 1957 AC Ace Bristol (Zagato), 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Competizone (Zagato), 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso (Zagato), 1957 Lancia Appia GTS (Zagato), 1957 Maserati 450S Coupe (Zagato), 1958 Abarth Fiat 750 Record Monza (Zagato), 1958 Lancia Appia GTE (Zagato), 1958 Lancia Flaminia Sport (Zagato), 1960 Abarth Fiat 1000 (Zagato), 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ (Zagato), 1960 Bristol GT 406 Z (Zagato), 1960 Bristol GT 407 Z (Zagato), 1960 OSCA 1600 GTZ (Zagato), 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GTZ (Zagato), 1961 Lancia Appia Sport (Zagato), 1961 Mini Cat (Zagato), 1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ1 (Zagato), 1963 Lancia Flavia Sport (Zagato), 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ2 (Zagato), 1964 Fiat 850 Z Coupe (Zagato), 1964 Hillman Zimp (Zagato), 1964 Lancia Flaminia Super Sport (Zagato), 1965 Alfa Romeo 2600 SZ (Zagato), 1965 Lamborghini 3500 GTZ (Zagato), 1965 Lancia Fulvia Sport (Zagato), 1967 Fiat 125 GTZ (Zagato), 1967 Lancia Flavia Super Sport (Zagato), 1967 Rover 2000 TCZ (Zagato), 1968 Lancia Fulvia Spider (Zagato), 1969 Alfa Romeo Junior Z (Zagato), 1969 Fiat 500 Zanzara (Zagato), 1969 Volvo GTZ 2000 (Zagato), 1970 Cadillac NART (Zagato), 1970 Honda Hondina (Zagato), 1970 Volvo GTZ 3000 (Zagato), 1971 Ferrari 3Z Spider (Zagato), 1972 Fiat 132 Aster (Zagato), 1972 Iso Varedo (Zagato), 1972 Zagato Zele, 1974 Ferrari 330 Convertibile (Zagato), 1975 Bristol 412 Covertibile (Zagato), 1975 Zagato Zeta 80, 1981 Zagato Chicane, 1983 Alfa Romeo Zeta Sei (Zagato), 1984 Alfa Romeo Tempo Libero (Zagato), 1984 Maserati Biturbo Spyder (Zagato), 1986 Aston Martin Vantage (Zagato), 1988 Maserati Karif (Zagato), 1989 Alfa Romeo SZ (ES-30) (Zagato), 1989 Autech Stelvio (Zagato), 1991 Autech Gavia (Zagato), 1991 Ferrari 348 Elaborazione (Zagato), 1992 Alfa Romeo RZ (Zagato), 1992 Fiat 500 Z-Eco (Zagato), 1992 Lancia Hyena (Zagato), 1992 Nissan 300 Bambu (Zagato), 1992 Nissan 300 Seta (Zagato), 1993 Ferrari FZ93 (Zagato), 1994 Fiat Punto Monomille (Zagato), 1996 Lamborghini Raptor (Zagato), 1996 Zagato Bravo Bis, 1997 Lamborghini LM003 (Zagato), 1998 Zagato Zuma, 1999 Iso City (Zagato), 1999 Lamborghini Canto (Zagato), 2001 Toyota VM180 (Zagato), 2002 Aston Martin DB7 (Zagato), 2003 Aston Martin DB AR1 (Zagato), 2004 Aston Martin Vanquish Roadster (Zagato), 2005 Lancia Ypsilon Sport (Zagato), 2006 Ferrari 575 GTZ (Zagato), 2007 Diatto Ottovu (Zagato), 2007 Maserati GS (Zagato), 2007 Spyker C12 (Zagato), 2008 Bentley Continental GTZ (Zagato), 2010 Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa (Zagato), 2011 Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale (Zagato), 2011 Aston Martin V12 (Zagato), 2011 Fiat 500 Coupe (Zagato), 2012 BMW Zagato Coupe (Zagato), 2012 BMW Zagato Roadster (Zagato), 2013 Aston Martin DB9 Spyder Centennial (Zagato), 2013 Aston Martin DBS Coupe Centennial (Zagato), 2014 Aston Martin Virage Shooting Brake (Zagato), 2014 Lamborghini 5-95 (Zagato), 2015 Maserati Mostro (Zagato), 2016 Aston Martin Vanquish (Zagato), 2016 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante (Zagato), 2017 Aston Martin Vanquish Shooting Brake (Zagato), 2017 Aston Martin Vanquish Speedster (Zagato), 2017 Iso Rivolta Vision Gran Turismo (Zagato), 2020 Aston Martin DBS GT (Zagato), 2020 Iso Rivolta GTZ (Zagato), 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia SWB (Zagato), 2022 Maserati Mostro Barchetta (Zagato)
Other Maserati
1932 Maserati V4 Sport (Zagato), 1934 Maserati 1100 Tipo 4CS, 1947 Maserati A6 1500 Berlinetta Speciale (Pininfarina), 1949 Maserati A6G 1500 Panoramica (Zagato), 1954 Maserati A6G (Zagato), 1954 Maserati A6GCS Berlinetta (Pininfarina), 1955 Maserati A6G Spider (Zagato), 1956 Maserati A6G/2000 Spyder (Frua), 1957 Maserati 3500 GT (Allemano), 1957 Maserati 3500 GT Coupe (Touring), 1957 Maserati 450S Coupe (Zagato), 1959 Maserati 3500 GT Coupe (Bertone), 1959 Maserati 3500 GT Spider (Frua), 1959 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder (Vignale), 1959 Maserati 5000 GT (Touring), 1960 Maserati 5000 GT (Monterosa), 1961 Maserati 3500 GTI Coupe (Frua), 1961 Maserati 5000 GT (Ghia), 1961 Maserati 5000 GT Coupe (Bertone), 1961 Maserati 5000 GT 'Gianni Agnelli' (Pininfarina), 1961 Maserati 5000 GT Indianapolis (Allemano), 1961 Maserati 5000GT (Michelotti), 1962 Maserati 3500 GT (Touring), 1962 Maserati 3500 GT 'Tight' (Boneschi), 1962 Maserati 3500 GTI Coupe (Frua), 1962 Maserati 5000 GT (Frua), 1962 Maserati Sebring (Vignale), 1963 Maserati 3500 GTI Spider (Vignale), 1966 Maserati 3500 GT Coupe (Moretti), 1966 Maserati Ghibli (Ghia), 1966 Maserati Mexico (Vignale), 1968 Maserati Ghibli Spider (Ghia), 1968 Maserati Simun (Ghia), 1969 Maserati Indy (Vignale), 1971 Maserati Bora, 1972 Maserati Boomerang (ItalDesign), 1972 Maserati Khamsin (Bertone), 1974 Maserati Coupe (ItalDesign), 1974 Maserati Quattroporte II (Bertone), 1984 Maserati Biturbo Spyder (Zagato), 1988 Maserati Karif (Zagato), 1995 Maserati Auge (Castagna), 2000 Maserati Buran (ItalDesign), 2001 Maserati 320S (ItalDesign), 2003 Maserati Kubang GT Wagon (ItalDesign), 2003 Maserati Quattroporte (Pininfarina), 2005 Maserati Birdcage 75th (Pininfarina), 2007 Maserati GS (Zagato), 2008 Maserati A8 GCS Berlinetta (Touring), 2008 Maserati Bellagio (Touring), 2008 Maserati Chicane (IED), 2011 Maserati Kubang, 2014 Maserati Alfieri, 2015 Maserati Mostro (Zagato), 2022 Maserati Mostro Barchetta (Zagato)
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