To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Paris event, 6 February
2019.
Estimate:
€1.100.000 - €1.300.000
- One of approximately 72 MT4-based examples built
- Equipped with a 1,350-cc OSCA engine fitted in period
- Retains original registration number
- Eligible for a host of classic racing events, including the
Mille Miglia
In 1937, the three remaining Maserati brothers sold their shares in
the family marque but remained on to help Adolfo Orsi for the next
decade. Motorsport fanatics through and through, Bindo, Ettore and
Ernesto could not stay away from engineering race cars for very
long - in 1947 the brothers founded O.S.C.A., short for Officine
Specializzate Costruzioni Automobili and released the first MT4 - a
spry lightweight tube-frame chassis with independent front
suspension equipped with a Fiat 1,100-cc block.
Soon, the brothers Maserati were working to increase engine
displacement, and in 1950 the MT4-2AD arrived. Equipped with a new
twin cam head fitted to a proprietary block, the aluminium-block
engine was originally offered in 1,100 cc before increasing to
1,340 cc. Sources report a grand total of 72 MT4s, equipped with
engines of varying displacement, being produced before the company
sold out to Count Domenico Agusta in 1963. Offered here is one of
these incredibly rare hand-built sports racers.
As was often the case, chassis no. 1156 was delivered as a rolling
chassis fitted with a MT4-2AD 1,100-cc engine to Mr Giuseppe Rossi
in May 1955. Instead of hiring an expensive coachbuilder to provide
a body, Rossi created his own aluminium coachwork - in this
configuration, the MT4 raced throughout Italy and France with much
success. In 1957, the OSCA was registered in Rome with the number
ROMA 301866 - the plate it retains to this day.
By 1958, Mr. Rossi was sharing the OSCA with his friend Enzo
Buzzetti. It was Buzzetti who was driving the MT4 during the 1959
Targo Florio when an accident wrote off the car's unique body - the
replacement coachwork was provided by Morelli, who had provided
similar bodies for several OSCAs throughout the decade. Also, at
this time, a new 1,300-cc OSCA block was fitted, allowing Rossi and
Buzzetti to partake in more competitive racing.
In 1966, chassis no. 1156 competed in its final race; now equipped
with a 1,500-cc Fiat engine, the OSCA handily won its class. After
passing to another owner who raced the MT4 locally, the car was
restored in the mid-1990s and then sold to OSCA collector Mr
Nonato, along with both the 1,500-cc and 1,350-cc engines, and the
original front bonnet. A full restoration was undertaken by the
next owner, Tommaso Gelmini; the mechanics were overhauled by
specialist Gianni Torelli, with a complete chassis and body
restoration by Mario Galbiati.
Today the OSCA is fitted with the 1,350-cc engine and a period ZF
gearbox, which is more reliable than the original Fiat model. In
recent ownership chassis 1156 has competed at many historic races,
including multiple Mille Miglias. Still a true competitor, this
OSCA MT4 offers future ownership the chance to run some of the
world's greatest driving events in style. To view this car and
others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM
website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/pa19.
