Fiat-OSCA 1500 Aerodynamica Berlinetta, 1959
Fiat 1500
Fiat 1500•
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Chassis No.: 118S*000628
Engine No.: 0004 (See Text)
US$401,000 USD | Sold
- 1,491cc DOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
- Single Downdraft Weber Carburetor
- 104bhp at 5,800rpm
- 4-Speed Manual Gearbox
- Independent Front Suspension, Live Rear Axle w/Trailing Arms
- 4-Wheel Drum Brakes
- A breathtaking Scaglione design influenced by the "B.A.T." cars
- Never shown since its fresh, exacting restoration
- Period-correct 'Bialbero' twin-cam O.S.C.A. engine fitted
- Accompanied by the original engine block
- Offered for the first time in nearly twenty years
- Owned and restored by a passionate Italian car collector
- The sole O.S.C.A-powered example of just two cars built to this design
- A breathtaking Italian 'Etceterini' by one of history's greatest designers THE FIAT O.S.C.A.
After World War II, three of the six surviving Maserati brothers split from their eponymous company and founded
Officine Specializzate per la Costruzione Automobili Fratelli Maserati
- O.S.C.A. for short. Automobili Maserati was under the ownership of the Orsi family, and the brothers founded O.S.C.A. to focus primarily on their passion for motorsport – the tiny outfit producing little more than 30 cars per year. Despite the size of the company, O.S.C.A. cars performed magnificently in international sports car racing throughout the 1950s. Famously, at the 1954 12 Hours of Sebring, Cunningham-entered O.S.C.A. MT4s scored a shock 1st, 4th, and 5th finish against a field of unlimited displacement works cars- helped in part by the driving of Sir Stirling Moss. They additionally took class wins at the Mille Miglia and the hotly contested Index of Performance at Le Mans.
Its first offering, introduced in 1948, was the MT4 (Maserati Tipo 4), a small "Siluro" powered by a 1,092cc overhead-camshaft engine, which was immediately successful on the circuit in the hands of the great Luigi Villoresi. Enlarged in stages up to 1,491cc and given a twin-cam cylinder head, the brilliant little O.S.C.A. engine was later licensed by FIAT, for whom it was 'productionized' by ex-Ferrari designer, Aurelio Lampredi. At the same time as its twin-cam engine was powering Fiat's range-topping sports cars, O.S.C.A. began producing its own GT cars, reversing the policy that had prompted the brothers to leave Maserati in the first place.
In 1962 the engine was enlarged to 1,568cc for the otherwise virtually identical 1600S model. Power went up to 100bhp and the top speed to 175 km/h. Rare, exciting, and with jewel-like quality, any O.S.C.A. is coveted by Italian car enthusiasts.
THE CAR OFFERED
The standard Fiat O.S.C.A. 1500 wore a handsome, if somewhat understated body by Pininfarina. While undoubtedly attractive, it did little to hint at the potent twin-cam under the bonnet. Thanks to its platform construction, the 1500 lent itself well to the coachbuilder's touch, and a handful of examples received special treatment from the great Italian design houses. Our stunning featured car, chassis 118S.000628 comes from the pen of one of Italy's greatest – Franco Scaglione – under the employ of Bertone.
Scaglione's portfolio is deeply influential, and includes such timeless designs as the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint, Alfa Tipo 33 Stradale, the one-off Fiat-Abarth 1500 Bertone, and the stunning, space-age Alfa Romeo 1900 B.A.T. (Berlina Aerodinamica Tecnica) series. Officially, the B.A.T. cars were commissioned by Alfa Romeo as a study in aerodynamic design, but the series had considerable influence on other Scaglione works outside of Alfa Romeo.
That influence is clear on this marvelous little car, with its soft curves interspersed with sharp creases and dramatic fins. Compact, yet finely proportioned, it exemplifies the Italian American transatlantic style of the late 1950s. Bertone only produced two cars to this Scaglietti design, each based on a different chassis and with key detail changes. The first car was based on a Fiat 1200 chassis, and while it undoubtedly had the looks, it lacked the performance to match.
For this car, Bertone utilized the punchy 1500 O.S.C.A. platform, ensuring ample performance to live up to the space-age looks. It is distinguished primarily by its larger hood scoop (necessary to clear the twin-cam head), standard 1500 wheels, and a handful of other detail changes.
According to the consignor via his correspondence with Bertone, the two cars were shown together at the Torino motor show in 1959, then shipped off to Geneva. Bertone historians suggested this car was later shown at the Buenos Aires Motor Show where it may have found its first owner, but the early history is not known. Having seemingly disappeared after its motor show appearances, 000628 was discovered by the consignor – a passionate and prolific Italian car collector – nearly twenty years ago.
As found, the little Bertone O.S.C.A. was largely complete, but in need of restoration, appearing to have been off the road for an estimated 20 years prior to its discovery. Wearing a red paint job with a somewhat shoddy fabric interior, it was looking shabby but still quite solid and an excellent basis for restoration. Soon, the owner embarked on a highly detailed, multi-year restoration project to return this unique automobile to its former glory. Much of the work was completed in-house in the owner's personal restoration shop, with certain tasks farmed out to specialists.
The original engine was found to have a crack in the block, so a period-correct unit was sourced from a donor Fiat-O.S.C.A. 1500 roadster and built to a high standard by the renowned Marcovicci-Wenz Engineering in Ronkonkoma, New York. Originally rated at 90 bhp, this engine was dyno tested to 104bhp – ample power to propel Bertone's little spaceship along with ease. The original block has been retained and set aside and will accompany the sale. Additionally, the chassis was completely rebuilt and restored with new brakes, clutch, exhaust, and fully detailed suspension components.
Correspondence with Bertone confirmed the car was originally finished in silver over blue leather, piped in white. Upon disassembly, the owner was amazed to discover the upholstery was covering the original blue leather. Using that material as a pattern, new leather was sourced, and the cabin painstakingly restored by a world-class trimmer. The body, made in steel with an aluminum clamshell bonnet, has been beautifully refinished in its original silver. Referencing period photos, the bumpers had to be re-made by hand, and the owner scoured the globe for a pair new-old-stock front marker lamps – which he flew to Switzerland to retrieve!
The result of all this effort is a stunning little machine that exemplifies all that is fascinating and delightful about Italian 'Etceterini.' The restoration is exceptionally fresh, and the car has yet to make its concours debut since completion. The seller recommends additional break-in and shakedown miles before embarking on any significant drives, but once dialed-in, it will undoubtedly be a most exciting entry into a wide range of exclusive concours and driving events around the world.
Стоимость
1 472 672 AED
