1959 OSCA S-Type

OSCA (Officine Specializzate Costruzione Automobili) quickly became an outstanding competitor and campaigned in top international events by some of the era's finest drivers and racing teams. Among the list of accomplishments was an overall victory scored by Stirling Moss and Bill Lloyd with Briggs Cunningham's OSCA MT4 at the 1954 12 Hours of Sebring.

Founded in late 1947 by Ernesto, Ettore, and Bindo Maserati O.S.C.A., the hand-built vehicles they created were to the highest standards, setting them apart from almost all other race cars. Among their earliest creation was the MT4 (for Maserati Tipo 4), which was built entirely at the OSCA factory, and the small cycle-fendered 'Siluro' (torpedo) sports car was powered by a well-engineered 1,092cc overhead-camshaft engine. The MT4 2AD version soon followed, equipped with a new twin camshaft head with a lightweight aluminum block and head. Engine displacement eventually grew to 1,490cc and was a competitive force in the small-displacement classes. Among the accolades was winning the 1954 Sebring 12 Hours along with numerous class wins at Le Mans and the Mille Miglia.

The OSCA Type S-187 (1956 to 1958)
The OSCA S-187 was introduced in 1956 and was equipped with a 747cc DOHC four-cylinder engine installed in a low-slung, heavily braced tubular chassis. The engine was often bored out by privateers to 850cc - and up to 1,000cc. The engine had a hemispherical-shaped head, twin plugs, twin overhead camshafts, and Weber carburetors producing approximately 70 horsepower (in 747cc guise). The name, S-187 was in reference to its displacement per cylinder (186.49cc).

The slippery coachwork featured a clamshell-style front and rear bodywork, a first for an OSCA sports racing car. Four-wheel hydraulic brakes provided the stopping power, the transmission had four forward gears, and the suspension was independent all round.

The chassis had an overall length of 2100mm, a front track of 1145mm, and a rear track of 1130mm.

The OSCA Type S-187 N (1959 to 1960)
The OSCA Type S-187 N was powered by a 747cc engine with 9.5:1 compression, two Weber 33 DS carburetors, and produced 72 horsepower at 7,600 RPM. The top speed of the S-187 was approximately 180 km/h, while the S-187 N topped out at around 190 km/h.

The OSCA Tipo S-273 (1957 to 1959)
The S-273 was similar to the S-187 but with a 1,092.40cc displacement (the displacement per cylinder was 273.10cc, thus the '273' name). It had a 70mm bore, a 71mm stroke, 9.5:1 compression, a pair of Weber 38 DCO3 carburetors, single spark plug ignition, an electric fuel pump, and delivered 95 horsepower at 7,000 RPM.

The Maserati brothers sold the company in 1963 to Count Domenico Agusta, owner of MV Agusta. OSCA production eventually ceased in 1967.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2018