1960 OSCA Formula Junior

The Formula Junior racing class was established by Count Giovanni 'Johnny' Lurani in 1958. It was an affordable class that allowed talented drivers to shine resulting in many competitive entrees. Engines and many of the mechanical components were production based which helped keep costs to a minimum.

The Series original in Italy and many of the car's that raced were built by Italian companies. The first race was won by a Taraschi. The series quickly became popular and many other countries began announcing their own 'Junior' championship series.

Officine Specializzate Costruzioni Automobili (OSCA) was established in 1947. The company was founded by Ernesto, Ettore, and Bindo Maserati, brothers who left Maserati when their contract with Adolfo Orsi expired. In 1937 the Maserati brothers had sold their shares of the company to the Orsi family.

With the popularity of Formula Junior, there was a considerable market for an OSCA entry. Work began on a FJ car near the end of 1958 and the new cars were ready for the start of the 1959 season. Power was from a Fiat 1100 engine fitted with twin-choke Webers and produced 80 horsepower. It was given a four-speed gearbox which was also a Fiat unit. The gearbox was mounted off-set to the left in the conventional steel ladder frame. In the front was a double wishbone suspension setup, with a live axle in the rear. Hydraulically operated drum brakes could be found at all four corners. Again, many of the components were sourced from Fiat. The aluminum body was built in Ferrara by Morelli. The Osca FJ cars were some of the most attractive cars that circled the tracks.

An OSCA Formula Junior racing car was driven by Colin Davis, along with a Stanguellini and a Taraschi, to win the International Championship in 1959.

A total of 15 examples were produced between 1959 and 1960. The car's competitive streak came to a close in the 1960s as Lotus and Cooper fielded their mid-engine cars, making the front-engine examples obsolete.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2017