Maserati A6 G/54 Vignale Coupe

The Maserati A6G/54 Vignale Coupé, chassis 2031, stands as a unique masterpiece, a one-off design penned by Giovanni Michelotti and built by Vignale. Its striking two-tone silver and blue exterior, paired with a refined blue interior and grey carpets, created an elegant yet aggressive composition. The front end exuded a sense of dynamism, while the curvaceous fenders evoked the poised tension of a feline ready to pounce, giving the rear a distinctly “nervous” energy. Equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission and Borrani wheels, it was a testament to Maserati’s craftsmanship and Vignale’s design prowess. First unveiled at the 1951 Paris Motor Show, the car soon found its first owner, Guglielmo Dei of Rome, bearing the registration “126793 TO.” A year later, it was entered into the Tour de France in September 1952, with Schwob d’Hericourt and Albertini behind the wheel. However, the race proved challenging, and the car failed to finish. After its brief racing stint, the A6G/54 made its way to the United States, where it eventually came into the possession of Bob Estes in California. At some point, its original Maserati engine was removed, replaced with a Shelby 260 engine and transmission, dramatically altering its character. By 1972, the once-glorious coupé had fallen into obscurity, discovered in a Los Angeles scrapyard by Paul Merrigan, who purchased it for a mere $425. A decade later, in 1982, its original Maserati engine resurfaced in another junkyard near L.A., acquired for just $200. With the missing piece of its identity restored, the car underwent a full and meticulous restoration, bringing it back to its original splendor. The reborn Maserati made a triumphant return to the automotive stage in 1998, winning First in Class at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, a testament to the dedication and craftsmanship behind its restoration. Two years later, it changed hands when Chris Drake of the UK acquired it, and in August 2000, it was offered at the Brooks Quail Lodge Auction, fetching $283,000, including premiums. Shortly thereafter, it was purchased by Douglas Jamieson of the UK through Coys of Kensington, who later listed it for sale at £250,000. Eventually, Maserati A6G Vignale 2031 found a new home in Japan, becoming part of the esteemed collection of Shigeru Hoshino in Fuji City.