The Fiat Bartoletti 642 was a striking combination of utility and Italian style, built on Fiat’s 642 RN2 chassis and bodied by Bartoletti to carry multiple race cars in a two-deck layout, ramps, integrated storage for tools and spare parts, and an enclosed cab for long journeys across Europe. Finished in Maserati blue and yellow, the truck projected the marque’s elegance and professionalism wherever it appeared.
Throughout the 1950s, the Bartoletti 642 was instrumental in Maserati’s sports car racing campaigns, transporting A6 GCS cars to events across Italy and beyond. At the 1953 Mille Miglia, the A6 GCS #525, driven by Giletti and factory mechanic Guerino Bertocchi, benefitted from the transporter’s mobile support, allowing it to tackle the grueling thousand-mile endurance course with preparation and precision. Two years later, the A6 GCS #408 made its mark at the 1955 Giro di Sicilia with Maria Teresa de Filippis behind the wheel, one of the few women competing at this level in the era, demonstrating Maserati’s willingness to support both male and female drivers in top-tier events. Beyond these highlights, the A6 GCS also saw success at the Targa Florio and Coppa Inter-Europa, often securing class victories and high finishes thanks to the careful preparation made possible by the Bartoletti 642.