VIN: Tony Parravano's Maserati A6 GCS Series 2 chassis 2049
History of chassis 2049
Of the 52 second generation A6 GCS built, chassis 2049 was the only example to receive bodywork by Vignale.
During 1952 and 1953, Vignale were the most popular coachbuilder of Ferrari sports racing cars. In an attempt to capture business from Maserati customers, Vignale created this unique A6 GCS for their stand at the Turin Motor Show in April 1953.
Bristling with trademark Vignale features like inboard covered headlights and cut-away bodywork, it also incorporated the type of signature chrome embellishments frequently seen on the firm’s road car bodies.
Chassis 2049 was sold to wealthy Italian-American property developer, Tony Parravano. At the time, Parravano already owned a Frua-bodied two-litre A6G plus a couple of Ferraris, one of which finished fifth on the 1952 Carrera Panamericana.
The A6 GCS was Parravano’s first sports racing car. He would later return to Maserati for a 150 S, 300 S, 350 S, 450 S and a 250 F. His largesse single-handedly funded the development of Maserati’s V8 engine; in 1956, he reputedly spent around $500,000 with the company.
Not content with just Maseratis, between 1951 and 1956, Parravano was an equally prolific Ferrari customer.
Chassis 2049 was always campaigned with works support. The A6 GCS made its competition debut on August 15th 1953 at the Pescara 12 Hour race. Entered as part of a two-car factory team, Guido Mancini and Silvio Dal Cin finished second overall and won the two-litre Sports class.
Two weeks later, 2049 was a last minute call up for the Nurburgring 1000km World Sportscar Championship race. This time it was driven by Hans Herrmann and Parravano’s good friend, Jack McAfee.
Owing to a faulty oil line, the engine failed. There was a possibility the car had not been prepared to Maserati’s normal high standard as Parravano had been expecting to run a new 4.5-litre Ferrari 340 Mille Miglia in Germany. However, when he and McAfee arrived at the factory, they were informed by Enzo Ferrari that the car would not be ready for several more weeks.
After its retirement at the Nurburgring, chassis 2049 returned to the Maserati factory for an engine rebuild.
It was next seen at the 1954 Mille Miglia with Fernando Mancini and Silvio Dal Cin on board. Unfortunately, the race ended in disaster when Mancini crashed and poor Silvio Dal Cin was fatally injured.
After the accident, chassis 2049 went back to the factory and, in 1955, was rebuilt with Scaglietti bodywork. It was sold to Bruno Fanzoni at the end of the year, but is not understood to have raced again.
Notable History
04/1953 Turin Salon
Sold to Tony Parravano
15/08/1953 IND Pescara 12 Hours (G. Mancini / S. Dal Cin) 2nd oa, 1st S2.0 class (#??)
30/08/1953 WSC Nurburgring 1000km (H. Herrmann / J. McAfee) DNF (#21)
02/05/1954 WSC Mille Miglia (F. Mancini / S. Dal Cin) DNF (#519)
Returned to Maserati after fatal accident on the 1954 Mille Miglia
1955 rebuilt with Scaglietti bodywork
Sold to Bruno Franzoni
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Maserati - https://maserati.com
