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1954 OSCA MT4 Navigation
It is believed that this OSCA MT4 was originally equipped with a 1500 engine, number 1506. It was delivered to OSCA's official North American distributor Edgar Fronteras in August 1954 and sold new to Harry Allen Chapman of Tucson, Arizona. It campaigned from late 1954 to mid-1955 at sports car races throughout Arizona and California by Chapman and William 'Bumpy' Bell. Among the accolades it achieved were a 1st place finish in the Junior Drivers race at March Field and a 1st in Class and 3rd Overall in the first annual Wilcox Sports Car Races.
Around mid-1955, the car is believed to have been sold through Ernie McAfee to Seymour Leson from Lafayette, California who continued to race it throughout the remainder of 1955. It was advertised for sale in MotoRacing magazine in May of 1956 and eventually sold to Alvin F. Chase of Alamo, California. It remained with Mr. Chase through the early 1960s when it was sold to Larry Evans of Danville, California who occasionally entered it in Bay Area autocross events, winning 1st Overall at the 1962 San Francisco International Auto Show.
When the original Fiat-based gearbox failed while in Evan's care, it was replaced with a ZF five-speed unit. By 1965, the car had been painted black and was powered by an aluminum Buick V-8 engine and Studebaker rear end.
Eventually, the car was acquired by a Washington-state-based enthusiast, and while owned by Reid Mathiesen, was involved in a road accident, which damaged the passenger side. Around 1976, the car was purchased by John Hunholz and an original engine from Stephen Block. A restoration soon began but was never completed in his care. The car recently entered the care of its current caretaker after residing in single-family ownership for four decades.
In 2022, the car was brought to the Gooding & Company auction at Amelia Island where it was estimated to sell for $1.1 to $1.4 million. It was listed as being an 'Ideal Restoration Candidate.' Although there was interest, the car would leave the auction unsold.By Daniel Vaughan | May 2022
Around mid-1955, the car is believed to have been sold through Ernie McAfee to Seymour Leson from Lafayette, California who continued to race it throughout the remainder of 1955. It was advertised for sale in MotoRacing magazine in May of 1956 and eventually sold to Alvin F. Chase of Alamo, California. It remained with Mr. Chase through the early 1960s when it was sold to Larry Evans of Danville, California who occasionally entered it in Bay Area autocross events, winning 1st Overall at the 1962 San Francisco International Auto Show.
When the original Fiat-based gearbox failed while in Evan's care, it was replaced with a ZF five-speed unit. By 1965, the car had been painted black and was powered by an aluminum Buick V-8 engine and Studebaker rear end.
Eventually, the car was acquired by a Washington-state-based enthusiast, and while owned by Reid Mathiesen, was involved in a road accident, which damaged the passenger side. Around 1976, the car was purchased by John Hunholz and an original engine from Stephen Block. A restoration soon began but was never completed in his care. The car recently entered the care of its current caretaker after residing in single-family ownership for four decades.
In 2022, the car was brought to the Gooding & Company auction at Amelia Island where it was estimated to sell for $1.1 to $1.4 million. It was listed as being an 'Ideal Restoration Candidate.' Although there was interest, the car would leave the auction unsold.By Daniel Vaughan | May 2022
2022 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,100,000-USD $1,400,000
Lot was not sold
Recent Sales of the OSCA MT4
(Data based on Model Year 1954 sales)
| 1954 OSCA MT4 by Morelli Chassis#: 1147 Sold for USD$1,365,792 2023 RM Sothebys : Le Mans |
OSCA MT4s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1954 OSCA MT4's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
| Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 OSCA MT4 2-AD 1500 SPIDER | 1148 | 2022 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction | $1,100,000 | $1,400,000 | |
| 1954 OSCA MT4 1500 by Frua | 1142 | 2017 RM Sotheby's : Paris | $975,000 | $1,175,000 |
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