Makes › Maserati › 6CM · Factory competition · 1936–1939 Ultra Rare
Maserati
6CM
1.5-litre voiturette single-seater
Still being researched: identification guide, full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: asopuma from Paris, France · CC BY 2.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 27 Built
- Years
- 1936–1939
- Engine
- Front-mounted inline six, cylinders cast in block with head and mounted in pairs on the crankcase
- Power
- Not yet verified
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The 6CM was Maserati's 1.5-litre six-cylinder voiturette, built to answer the ERA and combining the lessons of the V8RI and the 4CM. It started in 1936 and stayed competitive until the end of the decade; its engine line led to the post-war 6CS/46 and A6.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionAll 6CM built ('totaling 27 cars'; Ultimatecarpage gives 28) | 271 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
The 6CM appeared in 1936 with the conventional frame and rigid rear axle of the 4CM, independent front suspension taken from the V8RI, and an inline six with cylinders cast in block with the head and mounted in pairs on the crankcase. It proved more than a match for the ERA.
In 1938 it was radically modified with a more powerful engine, semi-cantilever rear leaf springs, a lowered frame and fairings over the side suspension; in 1939 a third version added a taller radiator cowling. The last two cars used a four-valve-per-cylinder (24-valve) engine with little success.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard 6CM.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Front-mounted inline six, cylinders cast in block with head and mounted in pairs on the crankcase2 Independently researched |
| Displacement | Not yet verified |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Valvetrain | Four valves per cylinder (24-valve) in the last two cars2 Independently researched |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | Not yet verified |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Conventional frame taken from the 4CM2 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Independent (from the V8RI)2 Independently researched |
| Rear suspension | Rigid rear axle (1936); semi-cantilever leaf springs from 19382 Independently researched |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
RM Sotheby's – 1936 Maserati 6CM (Monaco 2023) Level B
- 27 All 6CM built ('totaling 27 cars'; Ultimatecarpage gives 28)
-
2
Maserati Tipo 6CM gallery notes Level C maserati.org.au (Maserati Club of Australia)
- in-line 6 cylinder motor, cylinders cast in block with the head, mounted in pairs
- a four valve per cylinder motor (24 valve) was used in the last two cars
- conventional frame from the 4CM
- independent front suspension from the V8RI
- rigid rear axle; new semi-cantilever rear leaf springs in 1938
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