1955 OSCA MT4-2AD
- Engine
- 1.35L inline-four twin-cam, aluminium block
The OSCA MT4-2AD chassis 1156 is one of approximately 72 hand-built examples produced by the Maserati brothers after founding Officine Specializzate Costruzioni Automobili in 1947. Delivered as a rolling chassis to Giuseppe Rossi in May 1955 with a 1,100-cc twin-cam engine and bespoke aluminium coachwork fabricated by Rossi himself, it raced extensively across Italy and France before receiving Morelli replacement bodywork and a larger OSCA engine following an accident at the 1959 Targa Florio. It later underwent a comprehensive mechanical and body restoration under Tommaso Gelmini and has since competed in multiple historic Mille Miglia events.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate €1,100,000 – €1,300,000
- 1955-05-01 →Factory deliveryGiuseppe Rossipartial documentation
Received the car as a rolling chassis and fabricated his own aluminium bodywork in-house rather than commissioning a coachbuilder. Shared the car with a friend from 1958 onward and continued racing across Italy and France.
- 1958 →Acquisition unknownEnzo Buzzettipartial documentation
Co-used the car alongside Rossi; drove it at the 1959 Targa Florio where a crash destroyed the original body, leading to replacement coachwork from Morelli and a larger engine fitment.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownLocal Italian racer, identity unknownnone documentation
Competed with the car in regional events before it was restored and passed on.
- Date unknownPrivate saleMr. Nonato, OSCA collectorpartial documentation
Acquired the car following a restoration carried out in the mid-1990s; purchase included both the 1,500-cc and 1,350-cc engines as well as the original front bonnet.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownTommaso Gelminipartial documentation
Undertook a thorough restoration: mechanical work handled by specialist Gianni Torelli and chassis plus bodywork rebuilt by Mario Galbiati.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownRecent owner, identity unstatedpartial documentation
Campaigned the car extensively in historic motorsport, including multiple Mille Miglia participations; car is presented in this condition at auction.
Competition
- 19591959 Targa FlorioDriver: Enzo BuzzettiDNF — accident
Crash during the event destroyed the original bespoke bodywork; Morelli supplied a replacement body consistent with its other OSCA coachwork of the era.
- 19661966 final race, venue unspecified1st in class
Car ran with a 1,500-cc Fiat engine substituted for the earlier OSCA unit and won its category convincingly; described as the car's last competitive outing in period.
- —Italian and French racesDriver: Giuseppe Rossimultiple class wins reported
Car ran with Rossi's self-built aluminium body at various venues across Italy and France, with considerable success, prior to 1959.
- —Local races, venue unspecified
Subsequent anonymous owner entered the car in regional competition before the mid-1990s restoration.
- —Mille Miglia (historic, multiple editions)
During recent ownership the car participated in more than one edition of the revived Mille Miglia as well as other historic events.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1959BodyworkMorelli
Original aluminium coachwork replaced following race damage; new body supplied by Morelli, a coachbuilder who had produced comparable bodywork for several other OSCAs during the 1950s.
- 1959Engine rebuild
Original 1,100-cc unit replaced with a new 1,300-cc OSCA proprietary engine block to improve competitiveness.
- —Modification
Engine replaced with a 1,500-cc Fiat unit ahead of the 1966 season.
- —Restoration
Car underwent a restoration believed to have taken place in the mid-1990s prior to its sale to collector Mr Nonato.
- —Restoration
Comprehensive restoration commissioned by Tommaso Gelmini: mechanical systems fully overhauled by Gianni Torelli and complete chassis plus bodywork refurbishment carried out by Mario Galbiati.
Two named specialists involved: Gianni Torelli (mechanical) and Mario Galbiati (chassis and body).
- —Modification
Original Fiat gearbox replaced with a period ZF unit, chosen for its superior reliability.
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