Given how CC hunting is done in Tokyo, one is liable to get a second bite at the apple on occasion. It’s not something you can count on: some cars are there pretty much every week, others just show up once. Earlier this year, we had a look at this rather exceptional Italian racer. It showed up again sometime after I had written the post; the owner opened it up for all to take a deeper gander, I thought I might take a few additional photos. Now’s a perfect time to share these…
It’s a bit like opening a Christmas present, isn’t it? Inside this curiously-styled machine (they used to call these tubo di dentifricio (“toothpaste tube”)) lies a jewel of an Italian engine, designed by the brothers Maserati.
Here it is: a tiny but perfect 748cc 4-cyl. – just like the Austin Seven, but that’s the only thing this OSCA has in common with the venerable Britisher. Here the engine is square, with equal bore and stroke of 62mm.
This was the smallest OSCA engine ever made, but it still bore the hallmarks of its kin: two overhead cams, two twin-barrel Weber carbs, producing 70hp and sending those to a live axle (either leaf- or coil- sprung, sources disagree on this point) via a 4-speed gearbox.
With only about 450kg to haul and what looks like a pretty sleek body, the little OSCA was a force to be reckoned with. This one was raced at the 1956 Mille Miglia and won its class, mere weeks after having had its body fitted by Morelli.
Here’s the back end, which seems to have attracted a lot of attention. Not much room for groceries.
Great example of efficient packaging, isn’t it? There just isn’t any fat to trim off this OSCA. It’s as lean as can be.
Let’s hope we can all claim as much after the upcoming holidays. But this follow-up post will not be the last of 2024, as another exotic Italian we saw (a bit quickly) earlier this year was finally able to stay still long enough to be photographed properly. We’ll see about that one tomorrow.
Related post:
Curbside Classic: 1956 OSCA 750S Barchetta by Morelli – Masterly Miniature Maserati, by T87
What a find (again!) That sure is a sweet looking little engine, and 70hp from 748cc is no slouch!
So many great details, like the louvers on the hood.
A brilliant Red Barchetta from a better vanished time…
Ok, with the obligatory Rush reference out of the way…
WOW what a tiny little engine! I wonder what the red-line is for it? Somewhere over 10 or 11 thousand I would guess.
It’s probably a hoot to drive while leaving the giants stranded at the riverside.
Ok, I’ll stop now… WAIT one more…
Referencing a comment I left on the post last week on Japanese license plate decoding, if ever a tag screams for the number 21-12, it’s this one. And yes, I know 2112 was not the correct album for the song Red Barchetta, although considering its story line, if ever there was something the Solar Federation was going to ban, it would be the ICE, or just cars in general.
Pretty car and nice find, T-87!
Do you drive your Italian racer through the streets of Tokyo or do you hide the trailer round the corner? So many out of the ordinary cars get trailered in England : always give extra marks for those who brave traffic, not to mention wind and rain here, in something precious
Pretty neat! Thank you!
The front end has some shades of the Arnolt-Bristol. Perhaps a twee bit less wacky.
That is a sweet engine! American companies would periodically employ European body designers, but never do I remember one employing a European engine designer. Could have helped!
It’s an Italian car, through and through.
Yes, but the Arnolt-Bristol had an Italian (Bertone) body. It’s the first car that came to mind, they were both two-seaters with vaguely tubular bodies and headlights stuck down low at “bumper level”, almost as an afterthought.
A truly exquisite car, and engine too. I’m not sure I’d fit but I would love t take it for a spin.
That speedtail is so sweet with its lack of bumper. Like a prototype sports car of the 50s with a fully functioning state of the art engine and drivetrain that matches its beauty. Whoever decided to mount the brake lights and turn signals by cutting into that sensuous unobstructed lip shall be forever ridiculed for doing so. Perhaps that was or is the law regarding placement, however I would have mounted them on top and inward a few inches inside enclosures modeled after the drivers streamlined headrest.
A gem of Italian design and engineering.
What a power to weight ratio this thing has! At 70hp for 450kg, this would be very sensitive to the driver’s weight. That rules me out…