Concours of Elegance: Frua Spider fits the bill.

At the A. Lange & Söhne-presented Concours of Elegance in 2023 at Hampton Court Palace, the magnificent 1955 A6GCS Frua Spider will make its debut in the United Kingdom.

Only two of the three completed with charming Frua coachwork remain, making this exceptional automobile one of the most beautiful and desirable of the 1950s. From September 1st through the 3rd, it will be seen among more than seventy other privately owned automobiles borrowed from prestigious collections around the globe. The 2023 event promises to be another spectacular palace setting for a spectacular car extravaganza.

The official Maserati dealer in Rome, Gugliemo 'Mimmo' Dei, commissioned a small series of superbly coachbuilt cars based on the high-performance A6GCS platform, one of which is this stunning A6GCS Frua Spider. The A6GCS/53, with its motorsport-honed mechanicals, was initially designed for the 1953 World Sports Car Championship (the 'CS' stands for 'Corsa Sport'). It was built around a race-bred, lightweight tubular chassis by Gilco and powered by a 170 hp in-line six-cylinder engine designed by legendary engine manufacturer Columbo for Formula 2 competition.

Dei wanted to combine the A6GCS's race-car performance with an exquisite open top body, so he had Turin's Carrozzeria Frua create a single spider version. The finished product was a work of automotive beauty, combining spider-like delicacy with wonderful handling and startlingly strong race-car performance.

1955 Maserati A6GCS Frua Spider

In fact, Dei was so satisfied that he ordered two further Frua bodied vehicles to be built, one of which is the 1956-built chassis 2110 that will be on exhibit at Hampton Court. These two vehicles were even more spectacular than the rest thanks to the ultra-high performance dry-sump A6G/54 motor hiding behind the superb Frua coachwork, which not only produced an impressive amount of power but also reached a whopping 7,300 rpm at full throttle.

Chassis 2110 stayed in Italy for some time after its construction, but it was eventually transferred to the United States in the late 1950s, where it has remained ever since. After a protracted restoration under the direction of Maserati enthusiast Adolfo Orsi, Chassis 2110 resurfaced at Villa d'Este in 2010 and won the Coppa d'Oro, or "Best in Show," trophy.

This will be the first public showing of the Frua Spider since its triumphal debut on the beaches of Lake Como 13 years ago, and the first time it has been presented in the United Kingdom.

In addition to showcasing 70 unique and extraordinary Concours Vehicles at next September's glamorous event, the Le Mans Centenary commemoration will take place in 2023. The Concours of Elegance will include and display an additional 1,000 cars in addition to the main display.

Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace

James Brooks-Ward, Concours of Elegance CEO, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have secured this exceptional Maserati for our event in September. We set ourselves the task of assembling the world’s rarest, most spectacular motor cars – this Frua Spider fits the bill in some style.

“It’s a real tour de force of sports car design and engineering, with supremely elegant 1950s open-top styling that belies true race-bred performance. It’s a real privilege to show such a special car – one of just two in existence – on UK soil for the very first time.”

Further star cars will be announced in the coming months, along with further exciting categories, as we build towards September’s event.

With champagne from Charles Heidsieck, picnics from Fortnum & Mason, and a smorgasbord of art, jewellery, and fashion displays, Concours of Elegance 2023 will once again be an occasion of sheer luxury, beyond only the automobile displays. A. Lange & Söhne, the event's Presenting Partner, will once again present a selection of its finest mechanical clocks.

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