1937 Maserati 6CM

History

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he Maserati 6CM was introduced in 1936 and produced through 1939 with twenty-eight examples produced. It followed on the heals of the 4CM; the CM representing Corsa Monotipo and the 4 symbolizing the number of cylinders in the engine. The 6CM had six-cylinders and displaced 1500cc. It was mounted on a tubular chassis and with the addition of a Roots-Type supercharger the DOHC engine produced 155 bhp. Within a few years, that number was increased to 175 horsepower. Power was sent to the rear wheels with the help of a four-speed manual gearbox. The vehicle weighed about 650 kgs and had a top speed of about 140 mph. The suspension was comprised of an independent front setup with torsion bars and semi-ecliptics at the rear. Therear was later updated to quarter-ecliptics.The vehicle was created to race in the Voiturette class, with Voiturette meaning 'small car' in French. Rules stated that the engine was to be a maximum of 1.5 liters and Maserati felt that they could produce a vehicle that was competitive and popular with privateers. They were right. Though it was raced part-way through the 1936, the official debut was at the Milan Motor Show. This was the first Maserati to ever be displayed at a motorshow.During the following season both the factory and privateers entered the Maserati 6CM's in motorsport competition. With so many examples produced it was one of Maserati's most popular pre-war racers created. The decision to stay in the Voiturette class turned out to be prosperous for the