1961 OSCA 1600 GT

The O.S.C.A. Company was founded in Bologna, Italy in 1947 by the three surviving Maserati brothers, who had previously sold the rights to their name in 1938. The Maserati brothers had been very successful during the 1930s in motor racing, especially with the small-displacement sports cars. The death of Alfieri was devastating for the company, but the company continued to score racing successes, though their financial stability was beginning to falter. The remaining three Maserati brothers decided to sell their company to the Orsi brothers in 1937. A condition in the sales contract stated that the brothers would continue to design cars for the Orsis for a decade. After their contract was satisfied in 1947, the brothers started a new company, OSCA - meaning Officine Specializzate Construzione Automobili.

The endeavors of the newly formed OSCA Company were similar to the early years of the Maserati Company - the focus was on building racing cars. The early cars were powered by a one-liter engine, and weighed in at less than 1,000 pounds. One of the earliest cars was the MT4, which was instantly successful in competition, earning many victories and evening a class victory at the 1953 LeMans. Another source of income for the OSCA Company was supplying 1500cc and 1600cc twin cam engines to Fiat.

As the 1950s came to a close, the brothers began expanding their catalog to include road-going cars. One such example was the 1600 GTS, fitted with a 1600cc engine and offering 140 horsepower. It featured double overhead camshafts, twin side-draft Webers and four-wheel disc brakes. There were just 128 examples of this model produced and they were bodied by Boneschi, Fissori and Zagato. Only 32 examples had the 'double bubble' Zagato body.

The Zagato body opened its doors in 1919, and specialized in lightweight, sleek, and generally timeless styling efforts.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Zagato

This example has been prepared for both rally and track use. It has performed well on multiple Colorado Grand tours. Changes for racing include special wheels, a roll bar and lightweight glass.

In 1963, the Maserati brothers sold the OSCA company to Augusta and continued to do design work for Augusta until 1966.

GT Coupe by Touring
Chassis number: 0019
Engine number: 8477

The Maserati brothers left their Maserati Company in 1947 to begin a new venture, which they called Officine Specializzate Costruzione Automobili, or 'OSCA'. The purpose was to build competition cars which soon led to the construction of small-displacement road cars built in limited quantity.

It is believed that 128 examples of the OSCA 1600 GT were built. Of those, two known examples were bodied by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan. These cars were given Touring's famed Superleggera construction of aluminum skin over a small-tube frame.

This particular example, wearing coachwork by Touring, was shown at the 1961 Torino Auto Show on the Carrozzeria Touring stand. It was then sold to an Italian owner and resided in Europe for many years. It was given a restoration overseen by Carlo Anderloni, son of Carrozzeria Touring's founder and based upon Touring's original renderings. More recently, the car was re-painted and re-trimmed in period-correct Celeste Chiaro.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Zagato
Chassis number: 006
Engine number: 003

The Officine Specializzate Construzione Automobili, or OSCA Company was founded in 1947 by the Maserati brothers, who had sold their company 10 years earlier. They intended to build competition cars, however, economics dictated they return to constructing small-displacement road cars in a limited quantity.

This particular example is one of the limited-production coupes built and one of approximately 100 Zagato-bodied cars. Possibly as few as 60 chassis were sold. Designed by Ercole Spada, it wore hand-formed lightweight alloy coachwork over a tube-frame assembly. The iconic 'double-bubble' roofline allowed its occupants additional headroom.

It is believed that this example has had one two owners before being acquired by Bellancanto S.p.a. Beginning in 2009, the engine was given a restoration, which included custom CP pistons and Carrillo connecting rods, which were shaved for reduced weight before being blueprinted and balanced. NOS parts included the flywheel, ring gear, water pump impeller, and oil pump gears. Additional work was performed in 2012, addressing the suspension, steering, and a bare-metal repaint in the car's original red color.

by Dan Vaughan