1954 OSCA MT4 Spider
- Engine
- Twin-cam aluminum inline-four, under 1500cc displacement
- Colour
- Red ('Rosso')
Chassis 1147 is one of two OSCA MT4 spiders entered by the factory at the 1954 Le Mans 24 Hours, where it ran as car number 43 driven by Lance Macklin and Pierre Leygonie. After leading its class by 15 laps, the car was disqualified following spectator assistance after an accident in the final hour. Subsequently raced in American SCCA events by James Simpson Jr, the MT4 passed through several owners before a comprehensive refurbishment in the early 1990s and further mechanical work thereafter. It retains its matching-numbers twin-cam engine and carries extensive period documentation.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €1,270,625 (≈ $1.4M)
- → 1954Factory deliveryOSCA factoryfull documentation
Car was entered directly by the factory at the 1954 Le Mans 24 Hours, fitted with competition-spec equipment including a riveted 100-litre fuel tank, vented front brakes, and quick-jack mounts.
- 1954 →Private saleJames Simpson Jrpartial documentation
Illinois-based OSCA enthusiast who acquired the car through American marque distributor Edgar Fronteras after it was repaired by Morelli following Le Mans; reportedly campaigned it in SCCA competition through the mid-1950s.
- → 1972Acquisition unknownGeorge Sternerpartial documentation
Pennsylvania resident who purchased the car after Simpson's death in the early 1960s; acquired it without its engine or gearbox.
- 1972 → 1989-08-01Private saleFrank Starkpartial documentation
Obtained the original engine from OSCA specialist Peter Wessel but was unable to fund a complete restoration; held the car for approximately 17 years before selling.
- 1989-08-01 → 1995-02-01Private saleScott Bormanpartial documentation
California-based buyer who carried out a thorough four-year refurbishment of the car.
- 1995-02-01 →Private saleConsignorfull documentation
Commissioned multiple mechanical restorations including a full engine rebuild in 1998, ZF gearbox rebuild in 2006, coachwork refinish in 2012, and interior retrim; maintained the car in active vintage competition. Documentation comprises four binders of research, restoration photos, and invoices.
Competition
- 1954-06-121954 Le Mans 24 HoursDriver: Lance MacklinDisqualified; unofficial 3rd in class
Co-driven by Pierre Leygonie, car number 43; built a 15-lap lead over the top Porsche before an incident in the 23rd hour required outside assistance to rejoin, leading to disqualification.
- 1954-08-01SCCALockbourne AFB sports car raceDriver: James Simpson Jr1st in class
Class victory at the airfield circuit event in August 1954 while under Simpson's ownership.
- 1954-11-01SCCAOrange Empire Sports Car Race, March AFBDriver: James Simpson Jr1st in class
Class win at March Air Force Base approximately three months after the Lockbourne event.
- 2010Mille Miglia Storica2010 Mille Miglia StoricaSuccessful outing
Completed by the consignor as part of ongoing vintage participation.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1954BodyworkMorelli
Coachwork damage from the Le Mans accident was repaired at Morelli prior to the car's export to the United States.
- 1989Restoration
A thorough, multi-year overall refurbishment lasting approximately four years was undertaken by Scott Borman after acquiring the car.
Commenced from August 1989; scope described as comprehensive.
- 1998Engine rebuildLeydon Restorations
Full rebuild of the matching-numbers twin-cam inline-four engine.
Carried out during the current consignor's ownership.
- 2006Mechanical
Complete rebuild of the all-synchromesh ZF gearbox; the installed gear ratios were optimised to suit the engine's power delivery, improving performance over the standard configuration.
Work carried out by Nino Epifani.
- 2012BodyworkWerke Classic Coach
Exterior coachwork refinished in red by Werke Classic Coach; interior retrimmed in blue leather by Skin and Bones.
Interior reupholstery by Jonathan Chase's Skin and Bones in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
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