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1961 Fiat 1500 Osca
Pinninfarina Convertible
November 1958 Fiat shows a new version of there very pretty Pinninfarina designed and built convertible but this car has a new motor, The Fiat Osca 1500 GT. Fiat has been building the 1100 then 1200 Cabriolet since 1955. But they needed a more powerful engine for the car to be considered a sports car and to compete with Alfa Romeo's Giulia. They enlist Dante Giacosa to meet with Ernesto Maserati to come up with a new engine. Officine Specializzate Construzione Automobili (OSCA) the Maserati brothers company have been building a very successful twin cam based engine for their MT4 sports racer. The relationship benefits both parties, Fiat gets a new 100 hp twin cam and OSCA gets the manufacturing facilities of Fiat. 3,089 examples were built in both coupe and convertible configuration. Built by Pininfarina besides the 250 GTE Ferraris. Notice the resemblance. Allot of interchangeable trim parts with PF cars of the era.
Early cars were drums brake all around, fronts had twin brake cylinders. Other changes, 8,000 rpm tach, 15" 5 lug wheels, Nardi Steering wheel, and larger hood scoop. The cars also featured a passenger folding foot brace in footwell and a center hand brace. 118S model designation.
This car came out of Washington state. It was raced early in its life by Ed Mantz who looks like he bought car in 1974 from D. Donnie. The Car has extensive service records all through 70's, 80's, 90's.. and early 2000's. Stayed in the Mantz family with their son Scott until 2009. At that time was purchased by a freind of mine in Spokane, WA, who restored the car back to its original spec. New paint, chrome, interior, carpets, new rubber mats, and he went through the car mechanically . I got the car from him in 2016.. since getting the car I detailed engine bay, new fuel pump, cleaned the fuel system, new battery.
The Runs and drives very well. Will need a new tachometer cable, tachometer sporadic.
This is a rust free, good history car. Engine was replaced with original spec sometime in its racing life.