OSCA MT4 Berlinetta Vignale

Vehicle Overview

The OSCA MT4 Berlinetta Vignale, bearing chassis number 1120, is a remarkable race car with a name that offers a glimpse into its origins—‘MT4’ standing for ‘Maserati Tipo 4 Cilindri.’ OSCA, or Officine Specializzate Costruzione Automobili, was founded in 1947 by three Maserati brothers, who set out to build small, high-performance racing cars. These cars featured engines based on Fiat’s 1092cc block, which were improved with OSCA’s aluminium cylinder head. In 1950, the introduction of a new twin-cam head increased power to 100bhp, solidifying OSCA’s growing reputation in motorsport. Initially focused on barchetta-style bodies, OSCA branched into berlinettas, collaborating with designers such as Frua and Vignale. Chassis number 1120, designed by Giovanni Michelotti for Carrozzeria Vignale, is a prime example of this shift. Its striking design includes cutaway flanks, a zig-zag waistline, a sharply defined nose, and minimal front overhang. Commissioned as a one-off by Turin chemist Mario Damonte, the car was built to compete in the 1952 24 Hours of Le Mans. Unfortunately, Damonte and co-driver Fernand Lacour were forced to retire after 19 hours due to clutch trouble. Undeterred, Damonte and his OSCA MT4 Berlinetta Vignale returned to Le Mans in 1953. This time, with co-driver Pierre-Louis Dreyfus, they claimed victory in the 1100cc class. Following this success, the car was sold to Maria Luisa Zamberini, another resident of Turin. After 1956, the car disappeared into a private collection, only to re-emerge in 1997 when it was sold and moved to Japan. With its unique design by Giovanni Michelotti and significant racing history, the OSCA MT4 Berlinetta Vignale, chassis number 1120, remains a standout piece of mid-century Italian motorsport heritage.

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