1948 O.S.C.A. MT4 1100

In 1937, following a period of financial difficulty, Ettore, Ernesto and Bindo Maserati sold the company bearing their family name to the industrialist Adolfo Orsi. Under the terms of the agreement, the brothers remained with Maserati for a further ten years, continuing to contribute their considerable technical experience to the Modena manufacturer. Once this contractual commitment had expired, they returned to San Lazzaro di Savena, near Bologna, where in 1947 they founded Officine Specializzate Costruzione Automobili, better known as O.S.C.A. The new company was established to produce lightweight competition cars in limited numbers. Without the financial resources of a major manufacturer, the Maserati brothers concentrated on small-displacement sports cars whose performance would depend upon low weight, mechanical refinement and handling rather than outright power. Their first model was the MT4, its designation standing for Maserati Tipo 4 cilindri. Introduced in 1948, the MT4 was initially conceived for the 1,100 cc racing category. Its construction reflected the brothers’ extensive competition experience and retained some of the principles employed in the Maserati A6GCS, one of the last cars developed during their time at Maserati. The MT4 featured a lightweight tubular chassis, independent front suspension by unequal-length wishbones and a live rear axle. Its compact four-cylinder engine was developed from Fiat-based origins, while the open two-seater bodywork followed the essential barchetta format required of a purpose-built sports-racing car. The MT4 first appeared in competition during the 1948 season. Following an early outing at the Coppa Acerbo at Pescara, Luigi Villoresi drove the new O.S.C.A. to victory at the Grand Prix of Naples. This immediate success demonstrated the effectiveness of the brothers’ approach and marked the beginning of an exceptional competition career. Giulio Cabianca was among the first private drivers to recognise the car’s potential and contributed to a growing series of victories that established O.S.C.A. as a formidable presence in the smaller-capacity classes. Throughout the first half of the 1950s, the MT4 was continuously developed. Engine capacity increased and increasingly sophisticated cylinder heads were introduced, while the chassis and bodywork were adapted to suit different circuits, categories and customer requirements. The original single-overhead-camshaft engine was followed by the twin-cam MT4-2AD, and successive versions competed with capacities ranging from approximately 1.1 to 1.5 litres. In its ultimate form, the engine displaced 1,491 cc and was equipped with twin ignition. The combination of modest dimensions, low weight and highly developed mechanical components made the MT4 one of the most effective sports-racing cars of its generation. Its greatest international achievement came at the 1954 12 Hours of Sebring, where the 1.5-litre MT4 entered by Briggs Cunningham and driven by Stirling Moss and Bill Lloyd won the race outright, defeating numerous larger and more powerful cars. Most MT4s were built as open two-seaters, with many receiving lightweight aluminium coachwork by Morelli of Ferrara. Other chassis were clothed by specialist coachbuilders including Frua and Vignale, which also produced a small number of berlinettas and individual interpretations. As was common among actively raced cars of the period, several MT4s were subsequently modified, re-engined or rebodied in order to remain competitive in changing racing categories. Produced in relatively small numbers between 1948 and the mid-1950s, the MT4 became O.S.C.A.’s most numerous and successful model. It established the technical principles and competitive reputation upon which the company built its subsequent range of sports cars and single-seaters, powered by four-, six- and twelve-cylinder engines of widely differing capacities.

The O.S.C.A. MT4 with chassis no. 1101 is the first example of this model produced in 1948. For this reason, it was probably not entrusted to external coachbuilders but was bodied in house as a red "siluro" with motorcycle fenders, as usual in the period for sports. The car was born with engine #1101 of the "MT4 1100" type and registered to O.S.C.A. itself in August. On the 15th of the month, it made its debut at the Gran Premio di Pescara with Franco Cornacchia at the wheel. It is the beginning of a long and brilliant career, which will alternate between glories, accidents, and even tragic events. The first success was achieved in September with Gigi Villoresi: 1st overall at the Gran Premio di Napoli. Chassis no. 1101 took part in many races and achieved success up to the 1949 Mille Miglia, again with Cornacchia: an excellent race ended prematurely by a broken valve. The 1949 season continued with mixed successes. In 1950 the car appears to take part in two races only, but its career continues. In 1952 the car became the property of the racing driver Armando François, who updated it to the new regulations with a barchetta body with integrated fenders, designed by the Fratelli Morelli and made it more competitive with an MT4-2AD engine. François drove it in many races, including at the Nurburgring, until May 8, 1955, when he had a terrible accident at the Circuito di Santa Gorizia which destroyed the rear part of the car. The pilot died shortly after due to his injuries. The car changed hands, was repaired and its career never stops. It continued to race with good results until 1962, then passed from owner to owner, and became an important part of vintage car collections. In a period yet to be specified, the car was restored, bringing it back to its pristine state, with the "torpedo" body and the original engine. In 1992, chassis no. 1101 received its Fiva pass and took part in its first Mille Miglia re-enactment. In 1996 made its debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, returning in 2018. From the 1990s to today, the car was increasingly featured in sector publications and books regarding the model and its sporting past as a star witness and in books of motorsport’s history, such as Mille Miglia's Chassis Volume III, published by Automotive Masterpieces. It will also be featured in the forthcoming Targa Florio’s Chassis, Coppa D’Oro delle Dolomiti Chassis and Giro di Sicilia Chassis books, all by Automotive Masterpieces.