O.S.C.A.

Year of foundation 1947-1967

The history of OSCA (Officine Specializzate Costruzione Automobili) is certainly fascinating and deeply connected to an iconic name in Italian motorsport: the Maserati brothers.

The Origins: The "Second Life" of the Maseratis
After selling their famous company, Maserati, to the Orsi family in 1937, Ettore, Ernesto, and Bindo Maserati decided to honor the pact that bound them to the brand for a decade. Once the agreement expired in 1947, the three brothers founded O.S.C.A. (Officine Specializzate Costruzione Automobili) in San Lazzaro di Savena, near Bologna.

The goal was clear and ambitious: to create small, lightweight, and agile racing cars that could compete and win against the major automakers. The OSCAs were the fruit of their extensive racing experience and their creative independence.

The Racing Era and Successes
The first model, the MT4 (Maserati Tipo 4 cilindri), was launched in 1948 and was an immediate success. It was a racing car with an 1100 cc engine that, despite its small size, achieved surprising victories. OSCAs became known as the "giant killers," capable of beating much more powerful rivals like Ferrari and Maserati on the track.

Among the most prestigious successes were:

Victory at the 1953 12 Hours of Sebring with iconic driver Stirling Moss, who drove a 1500 cc OSCA MT4.

Numerous victories in races such as the Mille Miglia and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, especially in their displacement class.

The company, despite being small, also established itself internationally, with exports accounting for over 60% of total production by the mid-1950s. It collaborated with leading coachbuilders of the time, such as Zagato, Fissore, and Touring, who outfitted their chassis with elegant and high-performance bodies.

The Decline and Closure
Toward the end of the 1950s, in an effort to expand production, OSCA also dedicated itself to building engines for other car manufacturers, such as Fiat for the 1500 and 1600 S models.

In 1963, the Maserati brothers sold the company to Domenico Agusta, owner of the MV Agusta motorcycle brand. The brothers stayed on for a while to oversee the design, but their adventure with OSCA finally ended in 1966. The company closed its doors the following year, in 1967.

The Brand's Rebirth
After decades of silence, in 2022 the OSCA brand was acquired by entrepreneur Massimo Di Risio, owner of the DR Automobiles group. There is an intention to revive the brand with a new industrial plan, honoring its history of engineering and sporting excellence.