1954 OSCA MT4 Spider

OSCA translates to Officine Specializzate Construzione Automobile. They were built in Bologna, Italy by the Maserati Brothers from 1947, when they left the company bearing their name, until 1967 when they retired. The OSCAs were known in the racing world as the 'Giant Killers' - and for good reason. They were designed specifically for the track and offered a superior power-to-weight ratio that allowed them to outlast and outpace the competition.

In 1954 OSCA introduced the MT4 chassis with an improved 2AD 1500cc twin-spark engine, which produced well over 130 horsepower. These OSCA MT4 2AD 1500s proved themselves time after time against cars with engines two, three and four times the MT4's displacement. The superb design and exceptional build quality made it the car to beat in the 1500cc class for almost a decade.

This OSCA MT4 2AD 1500 Morelli Spider was sold new to Guatemalan racing driver Manfredo Lippmann for the 1954 Carrera Panamericana. After the race, he bought a Ferrari 250 Monza and left the OSCA at Luigi Chinetti's Ferrari dealership. The car was paired for a short period with the talented Mexican racing drivers Pedro and Ricardo Rodriguez, then Lippmann reacquired it and had it completely restored. Over 50 years after he first bought it, Lippmann sold his MT4 1500 Spider to the current owners in 2007, and it has been enjoyed by them on many rallies and tours.

Original 'Certificato d'Origine,' original invoice and documentation of the spare parts.

OSCAs were constructed as pure race cars to challenge the big cylinder cars. OSCAs were driven by numerous famous pilots, even triumphant in 1954 winning the 12 Hours of Sebring with legendary driver Sir Stirling Moss at the wheel.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2019