The project Tipo 53 was designed by Vittorio Bellentani in 1953 and utilized the 4CF2 1484.1 cc engine, fitted with twin Weber 45 DCO3 carburetors and producing 140 hp (103 kW) at 7500 rpm.

[3][4] The engine was developed from Alberto Massimino's earlier two-liter version, created to offer a simpler design suitable for private competitors in Formula 2 racing.

[11] Stirling Moss referred to the series 2 car that he drove to victories at Monza and Nürburgring in 1956 as "overbodied and a bit gutless", which helps explain the numerous swaps for two-litre engines.

This iteration was updated and lighter at 130 kg (287 lb), thanks to the generous use of magnesium alloys, and developed 165 hp (121 kW) at 8,500 rpm rather than the 140 of the original design.

The best result achieved with the Tipo 6 engine was at the 1961 Monaco Grand Prix, the first race entered, where Maurice Trintignant took seventh place for Serenissima in a Cooper T51.

The last race entered was at the 1963 South African Grand Prix, where privateer Trevor Blokdyk reached the finishing line in 12th place in another Cooper Maserati.

[8] Alejandro de Tomaso finished fourth overall at the 1956 1000 km Buenos Aires, behind two Maserati 300S and a Ferrari 857 Monza, all with factory backing.