The revival of sporting activity in Italy after the Second World War, as far as motor sport was concerned, was a rather slow process. In desperate need of repair, the road network and the few permanent circuits like Monza were reduced to a pitiful state. The few pre-war race cars remaining were showing their years, in spite of the efforts of enthusiasts and owners who had rescued them from the horrors of war. Understandably, energies and resources were concentrated on activities of greater social and economic importance.
If Maserati initially threw its efforts towards sports cars it was because of necessity rather than choice. In the years leading up to the war, plans were drafted for a six cylinder, normally aspirated, 1.5 litre engine. This was derived directly from that of the supercharged 6CM
