TRUE IDENTITY CLARIFIED

STARTING POINT
The historical identity of this car has remained subject to persistent confusion. Over the years, the car has frequently been misrepresented as an O.S.C.A. model rather than a Fiat-based special, largely because of its twin-cam engine derived from O.S.C.A., the presence of O.S.C.A.-marked instrumentation, and even a non-original badge fitted to the grille. Further uncertainty stemmed from the recurrent use of incorrect names such as “Maina” or “Fissore-Maina.” As a result, the car’s correct designation, origin, and attribution were often blurred between conflicting interpretations in secondary references and registration documents.

RESEARCH
This case demonstrates how even when a car is already known to be rare and significant, rigorous historical research can add substantial value by correcting misattributions. The Automotive Masterpieces research focused on resolving these longstanding ambiguities through a precise reconstruction of the car’s technical and historical identity. First, the investigation clarified definitively that chassis 118SB029454 is not an O.S.C.A.-built vehicle, but a Fiat 1600 S Spider built on the correct Fiat 118SB platform, distinct from the tubular chassis of the O.S.C.A. 1600 GT. The O.S.C.A. connection was shown to concern only the engine, not the construction or manufacturer of the car itself. Equally important was the correction of the misleading “Maina” attribution. Research confirmed that Maina was not a coachbuilder: Franco Maina was head of design at Fissore and should properly be credited as the stylist of the car within Fissore’s production, which remained the official coachbuilder name carried by the vehicle. Through this work, the correct identification and naming of the car were restored, replacing decades of imprecise or incorrect descriptions. In parallel, photographs and license plate documentation were located, providing further historical anchoring and supporting the car’s early Italian registration and originality.