1959 OSCA S-Type Roadster

The OSCA S273 was originally designed for the 1100cc OSCA engine, although this car was fitted by the factory with the tiny 750cc 4-cylinder, 75 bhp motor. It was ordered by Briggs Cunningham and was delivered in the summer of 1959 to Cunningham's race manager, Alfred Momo in New York City, who prepared it for the Cunningham team. Cunningham owned several OSCAs in period, and the S273 was entered at six events during 1959. The car's most significant race was at the 1960 12 Hours of Sebring, where it was co-driven by Denise McCluggage and Marianne Windridge. After that the car was not used again by the Cunningham team and was sold to privateer Cecil Schoeneman who drove it in several races in the Midwest. At this point, the original 750cc engine was at the end of its life, and a larger 860cc Tipo 187 engine was fitted. Then the car was sold to Dr. John Hunholz of Washington. He restored the OSCA, keeping it for the next four decades, until its current owner acquired the car in August 2015. It has now been restored again and wears its original Cunningham livery.

This particular example, chassis number 767, is a Tipo S sports racer that was delivered new to Alfred Momo's Momo Corporation in New York City and into the car of the legendary sportsman Briggs Cunningham. It left the factory powered by a Tipo 273 1100cc engine that was later re-fitted with engine number 771, a 750cc Tipo 187N unit, and prepared by Momo for Cunningham. Chassis number 767 was possibly raced at six race meetings during 1959. Its most significant race outing was at the 1960 12 Hours of Sebring. Sadly, it retired early due to cooling issues. After Sebring, it does not appear that 767 was used by the Cunningham team.

The next owner was A. Cecil Schoeneman, along with OSCA 758, on February 9th of 1961. Mr. Schoeneman raced 767 and/or its sister car from 1961 through 1963 in 11 events, with best results including 2nd Overall at the 1962 Alliance, Kansas SCCA Regionals, 2nd Overall at the 1962 Greenwood, Iowa Inaugural Race, 1st Overall the next day in the Greenwood Nationals, and 3rd Overall at the 1963 Lake Garnett Nationals.

The next owner was Steven Wacholtz of Spokane, Washington, who acquired it in March of 1971, and shortly thereafter sold it to Dr. John Hunholz of Snohomish, Washington. While in his care, the car was given a restoration. It remained with him for the next four decades until it was acquired in August of 2015 by its current owner.

The car is currently finished in period Team Cunningham livery and has a wraparound racing windscreen. It rides on Borrani wire wheels, has four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, and a four-speed manual gearbox. Power is supplied by 860cc dual overhead cam four-cylinder engine fitted with Dual Weber Twin-Choke Sidedraft carburetors offering an estimated 75 horsepower.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2018