1975 Osella PA3
- Engine
- BMW M12
The Osella PA3 (chassis PA029) is a 2-litre Italian sports-racing car powered by a BMW M12 engine, built during the mid-1970s when Osella produced some of the most competitive machinery in its class. The car competed in the 1976 4 Hours of Monza and later passed through British ownership, undergoing a thorough ground-up rebuild that included a new monocoque and replacement engine. In subsequent historic competition it proved highly effective, claiming four outright wins in the 2014 HSCC Martini series and drawing praise from racing driver Ian Flux as the finest 2-litre sports car he had experienced.
Ownership
- 2015-07-23Auction saleSold £125,000 (≈ $156K)
- 2024-08-24Auction saleEstimate £120,000 – £140,000
- → 2011Private saleColin Poolpartial documentation
Acquired from Francesco Molina in the early 1990s and was reportedly responsible for bringing most UK-based Osellas into the country. The car was primarily used for hillclimbing during his tenure.
- 2011 → 2015Private salePrevious ownerpartial documentation
Commissioned a comprehensive two-year rebuild including a new tub and replacement engine, then actively campaigned the car in historic events between 2011 and 2014.
- 2015 →AuctionCurrent ownerpartial documentation
Acquired at a Silverstone auction in 2015 and campaigned the car in historic motorsport, with all maintenance carried out by TT Motors regardless of cost.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownFrancesco Molinapartial documentation
Based in Pescara, Italy; sold the car to Colin Pool in the early 1990s.
Competition
- 19761976 4 Hours of Monza11th overall
- 2011HSCC Martini2011 HSCC Martini, Brands HatchDNF — fuel pressure failure
Running in fourth position when fuel pressure issues ended the car's first outing following its rebuild.
- 2013Donington race 2, 2013DNF while leading
Was leading when detached bodywork forced retirement, denying a second consecutive win.
- 2013Donington race 1, 20131st
First of two races entered at Donington that year; resulted in a win.
- 2014HSCC Martini2014 HSCC Martini series1st in all four rounds entered
Entered four races and won every one; Ian Flux drove the car and described it as the finest 2-litre sports car he had experienced.
- 20232023 Silverstone Festival
Most recent competitive outing; recorded a lap time of 2:05.9.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2011RestorationMartin Slater / Lyncar
Full ground-up rebuild commissioned by the then-new owner: a fresh monocoque was fabricated by Martin Slater of Lyncar, a replacement BMW M12 engine was sourced from Wassermann, and every remaining component was either overhauled or renewed. The process spanned approximately two years.
Replacement engine procured from Wassermann. Work targeted race-winning specification throughout.
- —Engine rebuildTT Motors
BMW M12 engine rebuilt by TT Motors during the current owner's tenure; approximately 200 miles recorded since completion out of a projected 1,000-mile service life.
Described as a recent rebuild at time of cataloguing.
- —ServiceTT Motors
Ongoing maintenance and care carried out by TT Motors throughout the current owner's period of use, with expenditure not treated as a limiting factor.
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