OSCA 1600 SP: The Final Racing Masterpiece by the Maserati Brothers

Silent Legacy - The golden era of Italian motorsport in the 1950s and early 1960s was a time when speed was not just a pursuit but a national identity. From legendary circuits across Europe to endurance classics like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Italian manufacturers—both giants and boutique workshops—competed fiercely for prestige and survival. Yet behind the glamour and roaring engines, the business side of racing was brutally unforgiving. Limited demand, rising development costs, and relentless competition quietly pushed several marques to the edge. Among them stood OSCA, a small but ambitious company determined to hold its ground.

The 1963 OSCA 1600 SP while sat on display at the 2012 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. (Picture from: Coachbuild)

OSCA, short for Officine Specializzate Costruzione Automobili, was founded and run by the Maserati brothers after their departure from the company that bore their surname. Under the guidance of figures like Ernesto Maserati, the workshop built a reputation for crafting compact yet highly competitive racing machines. However, by the early 1960s, history began to repeat itself. Just as they had faced economic pressure decades earlier, the brothers once again confronted shrinking demand for pure racing cars. Survival required reinvention.

The 1961 OSCA 1600 GT Coupe bodied by Fissore and powered by a twin-cam 1.6 liter engine that can deliver 95 hp of power to drive its rear wheels. (Picture from: Hemmings)

Their response was bold. In 1962, OSCA introduced its first true production road car, the 1600 GT. Styled as an elegant coupe and bodied by Carrozzeria Fissore, the car blended practicality with motorsport DNA. Under its sculpted hood sat a 1.6-liter twin-cam engine delivering around 95 horsepower to the rear wheels. It was refined enough for public roads yet carried the mechanical precision that defined the Maserati brothers’ engineering philosophy. For a small manufacturer, entering the road-car market was both a risk and a lifeline.

The 1962 OSCA 1600 GT racing version bodied by Zagato and powered by an engine tuned to 140 bhp, and applied the rear's independent suspensions. (Picture from: Coachbuild)

Given their racing pedigree, it was inevitable that a competition version would follow. The 1600 GT received a lighter, more aggressive body from Zagato, known for its aerodynamic expertise and weight-saving designs. Power was increased to approximately 140 horsepower, and independent rear suspension sharpened its handling. In various forms, the 1600 GT proved successful on the track, offering OSCA a renewed sense of momentum and the financial breathing room to attempt something even more ambitious.

The 1963 OSCA 1600 SP racing car prototype is powered by an engine tuned to 140 hp coupled with the four-speed gearbox and mounted on an all-new multi-tubular space frame chassis. (Picture from: Supercars)

That ambition materialized in the OSCA 1600 SP—“SP” standing for Sperimentale. Unlike the GT, which adapted a road-going base, the 1600 SP was conceived from the outset as a purpose-built racing car. It retained the tuned 140-horsepower engine and four-speed gearbox but introduced a newly designed multi-tubular space-frame chassis. Lightweight yet rigid, this structure provided the ideal foundation for competitive performance.

The 1963 OSCA 1600 SP racing car initially built to race at the 24-Hours of Le Mans, but never been raced at all. (Picture from: Supercars)

Mechanically, the 1600 SP was thoroughly modern for its class. Independent double-wishbone suspension was fitted at all four corners, enhancing stability and responsiveness. Disc brakes of considerable size ensured reliable stopping power—critical in endurance racing conditions. The car’s engineering was compact and efficient, reflecting the brothers’ deep understanding of small-displacement performance machines.

The 1963 OSCA 1600 SP racing car prototype has sleek low-drag body shape. (Picture from: UltimateCarPage)

Visually, the 1600 SP marked a subtle but meaningful shift for OSCA. Rather than outsourcing the bodywork to firms such as Morelli, the company developed this sleek coupe body in-house. Aluminium panels were tightly wrapped around the mechanical components, their form dictated by the chassis beneath. The result was a low, aerodynamic silhouette with a pronounced Kamm-tail rear—clearly shaped with high-speed circuits in mind. Its proportions were purposeful, elegant, and free of unnecessary ornamentation.

The 1963 OSCA 1600 SP racing car prototype's steering wheel and dashboard view. (Picture from: GTPlanet)

The car was originally intended for endurance competition, with Le Mans as a likely target. Its streamlined body and low-drag profile spoke of long straights and night racing under French skies. Yet while the engineering was ready, the company’s finances were not. By 1963, just as the first and only 1600 SP was completed, OSCA’s independence came to an end. The Maserati brothers were compelled to sell the business to Count Domenico Agusta, owner of MV Agusta, who valued their engineering expertise more than the continuation of OSCA’s racing program. 

The 1963 OSCA 1600 SP racing car prototype also featured the Kamm-tail at rear. (Picture from: GTPlanet)

The consequences were immediate. The 1600 SP project was halted before it could turn a wheel in competition.😭 The sole completed car never raced, becoming instead a silent symbol of what might have been. Under Agusta’s ownership, OSCA continued operations for a few more years, but the spirit that had defined the brothers’ workshop gradually faded. By 1966, the Maserati brothers had left, and production soon ceased. The 1600 SP would stand as the last racing car they ever built. Those curious about OSCA’s later collaborations may also find the Fiat-OSCA 1500 Spider an interesting chapter in the marque’s story. Unfortunately, there is no available video footage of the 1600 SP. Instead, here is a video featuring the 1600 GT Zagato. | LhRk-V3RvnM |

For years, the unique 1600 SP remained in the care of Ernesto Maserati before being gifted to his son, Alfieri. Despite occasional use, it has survived in remarkably original condition, a rare time capsule of early 1960s Italian engineering. Public appearances have been scarce, though it notably emerged at the 2012 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, captivating enthusiasts with its understated presence. Today, the car’s historical value extends beyond its specifications; it represents the final chapter of the Maserati brothers’ independent racing legacy—a machine that never competed, yet still carries the weight of an era when passion often outran practicality. *** [EKA [17042021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | COACHBUILD | ULTIMATECARPAGE | SUPERCARS | HEMMINGS | GTPLANET ]

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