Pick of the Day: OSCA MT4-2AD

Everyone loves Maseratis. As part of the troika of postwar exotics from Italy (including Ferrari and Lamborghini), Maserati has produced some of the most beautiful, elegant, and mechanically interesting cars. However, the Maserati Brothers claim another brand in their portfolio: OSCA. Our Pick of the Day is a 1954 OSCA MT4-2AD for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Brookfield, Connecticut. (Click the link to view the listing)

The story starts in 1914 with four Maserati Brothers establishing their automobile company. However, Maserati as we know it was never run by the brothers because they (by now, there were three) sold their shares to the Adolfo Orsi family in 1937 while continuing to work for the company’s engineering department under contract. However, after 10 years, the contract was up, freeing the brothers and allowing them to form a new company.

Called Officine Specializzate Construzione Automobili (O.S.C.A.), the fledgling company produced the MT4 (Maserati Tipo 4 cilindri) as its first car in 1948. Originally a 1.1-liter four, this engine went through several iterations in the ensuing years including bumps up to 1.5 liters. As the engine evolved, so did the body, with coachbuilders handling the designs instead of the OSCA factory. Race or class wins under its belt included Sebring, Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, Giro di Sicilia, and the Dolomite rally.

This 1954 OSCA MT4-2AD, chassis 1147, is one of approximately 70-80 MT4s built. Featuring Spyder coachwork and the twin-cam update (2 Alberi di Distribuzione) for the 1491cc four, this MT4 also has the twin sparkplug update offering a robust 120 horsepower. The American connection for this OSCA goes back to 1954, and it even was tested by Road & Track in 1955. After a slew of owners on the West Coast, it ended up in the garage of John Hunholz, an enthusiast who tried to undertake a restoration, but it ended up being a stillborn project for 45 years.

While OSCA didn’t manage to survive the way Maserati did, it is still part of a scene of small Italian manufacturers with strong engineering talent. “The twin plug per cylinder head is fed fuel by a pair of 39 DC03 weber carburetors. The correct setup for this car,” says the seller. Cars like this don’t come up for sale often and they are never cheap — in the case of this MT4-2AD, it will cost you $1,250,000. “It is an excellent car for restoration,” adds the seller. “Original chassis, original body, and original engine.” So, be sure to have some change once you pick it up.