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 Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: 766

OSCA stands for Officina Specializzatta Construzione Automobili. Three of the six Maserati brothers, having sold their namesake company pre-WWII to Adolfo Orsi, were free to start-up again in 1947. Bindo, Ernesto and Ettore create OSCA. They manufactured mostly small race cars.

This 750cc S-Type, chassis number 766, went to LeMans in 1959 as a factory entry, shared by the Mexican Rodriguez brothers, Pedro and Ricardo, their first drive together. Regrettably, the water pump 'went' after 32 laps and it was DNF. The Maserati brothers ultimately sold OSCA to motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta in 1963.

Roadster
Chassis number: 767
Engine number: 758

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 Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: 767
Engine number: 758

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.

Roadster
Chassis number: 764

This OSCA Tipo S-187 is powered by an 845cc dual overhead camshaft inline four-cylinder engine fitted with dual Weber twin-choke carburetors and delivers an estimated 75 horsepower at 7,700 RPM. It has a four-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, and a live-rear axle.

It was acquired new in 1959 by Pennsylvanian racer Jim Eichenlaub from official OSCA importer Edgar Fronteras. While in his care, it raced extensively across the United States and scored eight H-Modified class wins and several podiums to capture the 1959 SCCA National Championship. A year later, Eichenlaub started two more races before selling the car to John Igleheart of Greenwich, Connecticut, who continued to expand upon its racing resume, earning eight class wins and three consecutive SCCA Regional titles (1961–1963).

After the 1963 season, the car was sold to Scott Garrish and driven frequently by Charlie Rainville from 1963 to 1965. Both Garrish and Rainville won several northeastern SCCA races with this OSCA during the 1965 racing season

The car remained in Mr. Rainville's care until his passing in 1985. David Castelhano purchased the OSCA from Mr. Rainville's estate and later sold it through a broker to Dan Hedborg of Sweden. It was then given a restoration with its exterior finished in yellow. In 2003, it received its FIVA Historical Technical Passport while in Mr. Hedborg's care. It was later sold to a buyer in France, and in 2018, its exterior was returned to red.

by Dan Vaughan