1959 Fiat OSCA 1500S Coupe

Cars aren’t often genuinely pretty or beautiful, but the Maserati brothers knew how to make them just so. This stunningly rare coupe could easily pass as a 250GTE, it is completely and utterly wonderful. This car was restored at around the turn of the century and the quality of the restoration shows, it is still in wonderful order throughout, having been used sparingly for high days and holidays only and only ever out in the dry, it is a testament to its former keepers.

 

Not only does it present beautifully, it drives it too. You can quite imagine that with the upgraded 5 speed gearbox, period correct (1960) 4 pot discs all round and the upgraded steering (when converted to RHD), it drives like a modern car, inputs are light, easy and smooth, it really is a complete joy on the road, making a lovely Italian twin cam thrum as you move along. Is it fast, not really. But then it only has 990kg to move, so it handles beautifully and feels every bit the thoroughbred it was set out to be. Every dial, lever and button works in such a clean and crisp manner – a build quality long-lost and forgotten today. It is a true delight to be around.

With under one thousand cars built in total with the OSCA engine, in both convertible and coupe guise, they were already incredibly rare, left to the sands of time, very few remain and this example is the only one we have found that has been converted (very well indeed) to RHD. This car is comfortable, smooth and easy to drive, yet looks a million dollars, it has won plenty of shows over the years and seems to steal the limelight wherever it goes, is this the ultimate 50’s coupe without spending millions? We certainly think so.

This pretty OSCA has been subject to a full restoration, with no expense spared. Converted to RHD at the same time for the owner’s wife, as she wouldn’t drive LHD cars, it was done with such a dedication to detail, that you’d be hard pushed to know it wasn’t originally built this way at the factory, the fit and finish is stunning 20 years on. Its current custodian took it on with only 2,000 miles on the clock since the restoration and has owned the car for some 6 years and has gone through any niggles and teething issues to ensure that the car drives just as well as it looks.

 

With rafts of history and a file detailing the full restoration works, in photos, you can clearly see all of the love that has been poured over the car to make it the fine example present ed here today. First imported in 1966 to the U.K. the history file for the car starts in 1977, all the way to today’s date. The car went through the standard HPC preparation, to ensure it is on the button and driving as you’d expect, the only item that wanted any attention were the carbs, which were set up by our local rolling road legend Jon Wood. It idles, pulls and runs so smoothly, a truly fabulous car all round.

 

We doubt you’ll ever see another, not only in this condition, but especially in RHD. Thus, it is a fantastic opportunity to own and enjoy driving a cracking example of Italian automotive history. Our helpful team will be pleased to assist you in booking a viewing and test drive, we know you’ll be impressed!

 

 

TOTAL NUMBER OF PREVIOUS OWNERS: 4

TRANSMISSION: 5 Speed manual

Engine: 1.5 litre DOHC inline 4 cylinder

Power: 80 bhp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 104Nm @ 4,000rpm

0-60 mph: 10.6 seconds

Top Speed: 104 mph

PRICE: £64,995.00 – OVNO