The works Maserati A6GCS campaigned by none other than Luigi Musso is up for sale at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction

Image: Darin Schnabel ©2019 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s​

Maserati used to be a powerhouse in sports car and grand prix racing, campaigning its sublimely crafted machines all over the world. And one of the names most synonymous with the Italian tridented marque is Luigi Musso. 

This 1954 Maserati A6GCS, on sale at RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale on August 15-17 is quite special, and not just because of its estimated price of up to $3,750,000. 

In fact, this car (chassis no 2078) took second at the 1954 Targa Florio at the hands of Musso, third at the non-championship Imola Grand Prix and third overall at the Mille Miglia. Three high-profile wins in one year.

After that, it was sold to Argentinian privateer Ricardo Grandio, who campaigned the car through 1955 and ’56 in South America, including third on the rostrum at the Buenos Aires 1000km.

It was returned to the hands of an Italian owner, Gianni Vitali, who restored it in the early 1980s and entered the Mille Miglia from ’87-’92, and then again in ’95. The car was then sold to an American owner and historic racer – believed to be businessman Dean Meiling – in 1998. 

The A6GCS retains its original engine and RM Sotheby’s car specialist David Swig said that the car “stands among the very finest” Maserati racers.

“Chassis no 2078 offers a turn-key solution for today’s gentleman racer, combining exceptional period competition pedigree, a well-documented history from new, and single enthusiast ownership for the last two decades.

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“An A6GCS is a rare sight at auction, and rarer still in such well-cared-for, fresh-to-market form.”

Rare indeed, as fewer than 50 examples of this Maserati were built. No wonder it commands such a high price, given its stunning competition history and condition.