In 1936, Maserati continued to refine its racing cars to compete in the Grand Prix and voiturette (small car) categories. The company introduced the Maserati 6CM, a significant evolution designed to compete in the voiturette class, which was gaining popularity as an alternative to full Grand Prix racing.

Maserati 6CM: Overview

The Maserati 6CM (Six Cylinder Monoposto) was explicitly developed for the 1.5-liter voiturette class, a stepping stone for smaller, lighter, and more affordable racing cars than the larger Grand Prix vehicles.

Design and Engineering

  • Chassis:

    • A tubular steel frame with significantly improved rigidity and weight distribution compared to earlier models.

    • Designed for a monoposto (single-seater) layout, emphasizing aerodynamics and driver ergonomics.

  • Engine:

    • A 1.5-liter straight-six engine, supercharged with a Roots-type blower.

    • Produced approximately 155 horsepower at 6,200 rpm.

    • The engine featured dual overhead camshafts and could deliver high-revving performance for its size.

  • Transmission: A four-speed manual gearbox was optimized for smooth power delivery.

  • Suspension:

    • The 6CM featured a significant innovation: independent front suspension with wishbones and torsion bars. This was a significant advancement over the rigid front axles of earlier models.

    • The rear suspension used a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs.

  • Brakes: Four-wheel drum brakes provided stopping power, although braking technology remained challenging in this era.

Performance

  • The car's lightweight construction and smaller engine made it highly agile. Its excellent handling characteristics suited it to the tight circuits often used in voiturette racing.

  • Its top speed was approximately 210 km/h (130 mph), which is impressive for a 1.5-liter car.

Racing History in 1936

The Maserati 6CM made its debut in 1936 and quickly became a dominant force in the voiturette category:

Competition: The 6CM's primary rivals were cars from ERA (English Racing Automobiles) and Alfa Romeo, particularly the Alfa Romeo Tipo B and Tipo C, which were adapted for voiturette racing.

Drivers: Prominent drivers like Luigi Villoresi, Carlo Felice Trossi, and Piero Taruffi piloted the 6CM with notable success.

Victories: The car secured multiple wins in voiturette races across Europe, particularly in Italy and France, where the competition was fierce. It demonstrated Maserati's ability to adapt and innovate in the smaller-engine class.

The 6CM established Maserati as a leader in voiturette racing during the mid-1930s. Its success in this category helped sustain Maserati's reputation and finances when Grand Prix racing was dominated by heavily funded German teams like Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union.

The advancements in suspension and chassis design made the 6CM a technological stepping stone for future Maserati race cars.

Key Specifications of the Maserati 6CM

Feature

Details

Engine

1.5L supercharged straight-six

Horsepower

155 hp at 6,200 rpm

Top Speed

210 km/h (130 mph)

Transmission

4-speed manual

Chassis

Tubular steel frame

Brakes

Drum brakes

Suspension

Independent front, live rear axle

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