Peter Giddings Racing
1952 OSCA MT4 2AD, Chassis no. 1129, engine no. 1311O.S.C.A. (Officine Specializate Costruzione Automobili—Fratelli Maserati S.p.A.) was an Italian manufacturer of racing and sports cars established in San Lazzaro di Savena, Bologna, by Ernesto and Bindo Maserati after the Maserati brand was sold to the Orsi family in 1948. OSCA was active from 1949 until it closed down in 1967. Its name is usually abbreviated to OSCA or Osca. O.S.C.A.'s first car was the MT4, for Maserati Tipo 4 cilindri. The 1092 cc engine (71 bhp at 6000 rpm) had a FIAT-derived block with an alloy head. The bodywork was built as a two-seater Barchetta. The MT4 first raced in 1948 at the Grand Prix of Naples, where it was driven to a win by Luigi Villoresi. The engine was modified to 1342 cc (with 89 bhp at 5500 rpm) in 1949. In 1950, a new DOHC head (MT4-2AD) raised power (to a maximum of 100 bhp) at 6300 rpm), and in 1953 the engine was enlarged to 1491 cc (108 bhp at 6,200 rpm). This OSCA, chassis number 1129, one of six Frua-bodied spyders constructed, was delivered in June 1953 to Briggs Cunningham at Costa Mesa, California (confirmed by Alfieri Maserati from his personal family archives). In 1954, the car was sold to Walt Hansgen. Subsequent owners were Dick Gent, Otto Linton, Walter R. Hoover, Bob Klay, and Phil Stevens. About 1970-71, Stanley Nowak (author of "The Most Successful Maserati - the OSCA MT4") acquired the car. In 1972 the car was sold to Jack Farnsworth, then to Joel Finn, then to Robert Gellis. Tim Hart bought the car and had it restored by Steven Griswold in 1978/79 prior to its appearance in Pebble Beach in 1979 where it won the Pebble Beach Cup for 'Best Presentation and Performance at the Monterey Historic Races'. Peter Giddings purchased the car in 1980. Peter sold the car to Michael Lynch of Carmel, California; author, journalist, and automotive historian. Richard Riddell of Laguna Beach, California acquired the car in February 1982. He then had the engine replaced by engine #1505, a 1491 cc engine from chassis No. 1146 that was prepared for racing by Phil Reilly. This was a straight swap, engine no. 1311 went into chassis no. 1146. OSCA chassis no. 1311 with engine no. 1505 was sold at the Pebble Beach Auction in August 1998 to Roger Earl and Tony Pickering of England. It has subsequently completed more than six sessions of the Mille Miglia, several times at the Le Mans Legends race, and many other European venues. SPECIFICATIONS: ENGINE TRANSMISSION DIFFERENTIAL BRAKES CHASSIS & BODY STEERING SUSPENSION WEIGHTS & MEASURES CAPACITIES PERFORMANCE
OSCA MT4 2AD, s/n 1129, outside Peter's shop.
OSCA MT4 2AD, s/n 1129, rear view.
An OSCA 1491 cc Twin-Plug Engine
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