1964 O.S.C.A 1600GT Coupe

1,568 CC DOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Twin Weber 38 DCOE Carburetors
105 BHP at 6,000 RPM
4-Speed Manual Gearbox
4-Wheel Hydraulic Girling Disc Brakes
4-Wheel Independent Double-Wishbone Suspension with Coil Springs and Hydraulic Dampers

*One of only 21 Examples produced with distinctive Fissore Coupe Coachwork
*First registered to famed Italian luxury retailer Salvatore Ferragamo
*Striking and rarely seen two-tone color scheme
*Freshly rebuilt engine, gearbox and suspension

THE O.S.C.A. FISSORE

Founded in 1947 by Ernesto Maserati and brothers Ettore and Bindo Maserati, the three Maserati brothers were compelled to depart their earlier endeavor after purchase by Adolfo Orsi. Still very much motivated to produce both sports and racing cars, they established Officine Specializzate Construzione Automobili, OSCA, registered under the Maserati brothers' names. The newly formed company immediately began development dedicated to the Italian 1,100cc class of racing, a rapidly growing segment of European motorsports competition. The brothers rapidly developed their cars to a high level winning top standings in each of the World Sportscar Championships through the 1950s and 60s. Concurrent to their race car programs OSCA developed a series of road cars including higher displacement 1600 cc cars which were offered with coachwork by Zagato, Touring, and in the case of this stunning example, Fissore. Production was very limited as finances were challenging for the small but capable company, even more so with the rare Fissore bodied examples, of which a mere 21 were built.

Fissore, a highly capable Saligliano, Italy coachbuilding firm had already established their name in the industry working on several one-off prototype and concept cars but also lending their hands in larger production car designs. Even with their capabilities in larger endeavors, the firm preferred to work in the handmade crafting traditions of coachbuilt cars achieved in a bespoke manner. Unlike other OSCA models built with Fiat support, the 1600GT was uniquely constructed as a totally OSCA derived endeavor. It was powered by the uniquely developed OSCA twin-cam engine and hand built to exacting standards for each of the premier customers. The Fissore body was hand formed over a tubular Italian built Gilco chassis, and a rare option for these cars, this example featured independent front and rear suspension, along with disc brakes all around. At the heart of the OSCA 1600, the dual-overhead cam 1600cc engine and 4-speed manual gearbox completed a package steeped in racing history but built for road use. For those who were seeking just a bit more power from the already robust GT engine, OSCA offered the GT2 package which updated the engine using twin dual-throat Weber 42 carburetion resulting in as much as 145 hp when set up with competition tuning. Of the mere 21 examples constructed between 1962 and 1967 Fissore supplied just three examples that were configured to OSCA GT2 specifications.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

One of just three Fissore GT2 OSCAs ever made, chassis 00105 was sold new to famed luxury Italian retailer Salvatore Ferragamo of Florence, Italy. Subsequently sold to Alfredo Pierucci and then in 1967 acquired by Renzo Andrei, he later sold it to the third private owner, Ida del Bigallo. The car is then known to have resided for nearly 30 years in the Mario Righini collection, where it remained until the mid-1990s. Two more owners followed until the car was imported to California where it has been under private ownership in the company of a well-known Italian car restoration expert who has finished it to the current condition. With FIVA certification having been achieved under Italian ownership, ASI, Italian ownership paperwork, and recently performed engine rebuild by Niederst Restorations, this OSCA 1600 GT2 is certainly one of the most desirable examples of the Maserati brothers' finest work.

Today this OSCA 1600 GT2 presents as a beautifully restored in its as-delivered red and black finishes, retaining the matching numbers engine, and supported by known ownership history since new. The cleanly executed Fissore coachwork is beautifully enhanced by the glossy red and black two-tone paint. The cleverly executed paint scheme creates a dramatic lower profile by minimizing the upper portion of the car, already lightened by the expansive glass and delicate pillars. The black roof and hood evoke the competition history confirmed by the GT2 performance series. The black and white Italian license plates confirm the early ownership history while other fine details delight the eye, including the beautiful grille, quad headlights, delicate side vents, and raised body cut line. Each of these details alone are uniquely inspired and yet harmoniously come together in the Fissore design as a unified and dramatic example, perfectly captured in this short wheelbase GT2. The rare, ventilated Campagnolo Amadori magnesium wheels are correctly finished in satin silver creating a dramatic and purposeful performance stance. It's easy to see how these cars made such a strong impact when first revealed – a dynamic design that continues to impress those who view it today nearly 60 years later.

The embodiment of great Italian style and motoring elegance, steeped in competition lineage, this rare Fissore bodied OSCA 1600 GT2 features stunning colors, striking design, matching numbers, and the rarity of being one of three GT2 factory models. Boasting a high-quality professional restoration, a recent professional engine rebuild, and excellent visual presentation, this wonderful OSCA is ready for enjoyable driving, vintage events, or concours exhibits.