1954 OSCA MT4 1500 Spider (Frua coachwork)
- Engine
- 1.5L DOHC inline-four, twin-ignition, 135 bhp
- Colour
- Red (originally); later repainted black with yellow and red longitudinal stripes
The OSCA MT4 1500 (chassis 1142), built in 1954 by the Maserati brothers' post-Maserati venture, is believed to be the first example of its type fitted with twin-ignition. Originally raced by Italian privateer Giulio Cabianca and subsequently by the Marquis Alfonso de Portago and Roberto Mieres, it compiled an exceptional 1954 competition record including a 10th-place overall finish at the Mille Miglia and a strong showing at the Carrera Panamericana. After decades in notable European collections, the car underwent a comprehensive five-year restoration and has since participated in prestigious historic events.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate €975,000 – €1,175,000
- 1954 → 1954Private saleHans Tannerpartial documentation
Respected Ferrari historian who held the car briefly before it moved to its next owner.
- 1954 → 1954Private saleAlfonso de Portagopartial documentation
Spanish aristocrat and noted racing driver who repainted the car black with yellow and red stripes and entered it under Scuderia Espagna.
- 1954-04-08 → 1954Factory deliveryGiulio Cabiancafull documentation
Italian privateer who took original delivery; car wore Verona registration plates and Frua bodywork in red. Sold the car shortly after mid-1954.
- 1954-10-01 →Acquisition unknownGiannino Parravicinipartial documentation
Registered in Milan, though this may have been a nominal registration for tax reasons rather than reflecting genuine ownership. Car was subsequently exported to Mexico for the Carrera Panamericana.
- 1987-10-01 →Private salePeter Kauspartial documentation
Purchased for the well-known Rosso Bianco Collection; intervening history between the mid-1950s and this acquisition is largely unknown.
- → 2003-09-01Acquisition unknownPeter Wunschpartial documentation
Collector based in Herrsching who held the car prior to the consignors.
- 2003-09-01 →Private saleDüsseldorf collector pairfull documentation
Two German collectors who undertook a thorough five-year restoration with OSCA specialist Heinz Kosler; documentation includes restoration photos and detail records. A rear chassis section was replaced and a new cylinder block was cast by Hall & Hall.
Competition
- 1954Targa FlorioDriver: Giulio CabiancaDNF
- 1954Imola Grand PrixDriver: Giulio CabiancaDNF
- 1954Tour de France AutomobileDriver: Alfonso de PortagoDNF
Edmund Nelson again accompanied Portago; pair did not reach the finish.
- 1954Carrera PanamericanaDriver: Roberto MieresDNF — engine failure on fourth stage
Car wore number 52 and was backed by Suixtil and Club Automovil Sport; completed the first three legs before retiring on the Puebla–Mexico City stretch.
- 1954-03-28Corsa sulle ToricelleDriver: Giulio Cabianca1st in class, 3rd overall
- 1954-04-04Giro di SiciliaDriver: Giulio CabiancaDNF
Car carried race number 335 and had a third driving lamp fitted centrally at the top of the grille.
- 1954-04-11Coppa della ToscanaDriver: Giulio Cabianca1st in class, 16th overall
- 1954-05-02Mille MigliaDriver: Giulio Cabianca10th overall, 2nd in class
Ran as number 343; finished behind factory entries from Ferrari, Lancia, Porsche, and Maserati.
- 1954-07-11Coppa d'Oro delle DolomitiDriver: Giulio Cabianca2nd in class
- 1954-08-01Nürburgring Rhineland CupDriver: Alfonso de PortagoDNF
Car ran under Scuderia Espagna banner; Edmund Nelson was co-driver or companion for the campaign.
- 1956-08-26Ollons-Villars HillclimbDriver: Robert Jenny2nd in class
Swiss dealer Jenny borrowed the car for the event; regarded as the last known period competition appearance.
- 2009Mille Miglia Storica
Participated as part of historic touring event during the consignors' ownership.
- 2009Nürburgring OGP
- 2010Mille Miglia Storica
- 2010Goodwood Festival of Speed
- 2011Schloss Bensberg Classic
Maintenance & restoration
- 1954Modification
Car was repainted from original red to black with yellow and red longitudinal stripes when in de Portago's ownership.
- —RestorationHeinz Kosler
Comprehensive restoration lasting approximately five years, carried out with close attention to authenticity. Work included replacement of a section of the rear chassis and casting of a new cylinder block at Hall & Hall using an original unit as a template.
Commissioned by the Düsseldorf-based owners who acquired the car in September 2003; photographic documentation of the process is retained in the history file.
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