Okay, I'm a hopeless sentimentalist, so when I began researching this Zagato-bodied 1956 Maserati A6G Berlinetta, which appeared at the inaugural Palm Springs Desert Classic Concours, I may have had a lump in my throat: the A6 2000 was the last to trace its lineage directly to the Maserati brothers and is known for excellent performance plus several superb bodies by Italy's best coachbuilders. Note the unusual "double bubble" roof, a stylistic technique that designer Zagato had also applied to some Alfa Romeos in an effort to provide sufficient headroom while improving the aerodynamics. Constructed on a tube frame, it features a coil-spring independent front suspension and live rear axle. The 2.0 liter twin-cam six developed 160 horsepower, quite remarkable for an engine of that size. Although this Maserati was involved in a serious accident during a test drive the damaged car was rebuilt by the factory over a two-year period. Today's owner, John Bookout of Houston, TX, acquired the car in 2000, after which it spent several years undergoing a total restoration.

[Photo: Mel Satok]