1963 OSCA 1600 GT BERLINETTE ZAGATO « DOUBLE BUBBLE »

French title
Chassis n° 0097

• Ex Rosso Bianco Collection, continuous history
• Rare model, sporty and elegant
• First in class at Villa d’Este
• Extensive documentation following detailed research

The car on offer, chassis 0097, is a Zagato version, registered in its first libretto under the marque "Oscar"... rather than Osca, the constructor clearly being unfamiliar to the authorities. Sold in Rome, it had several owners between Rome and l’Aquila (two registrations Roma and AQ), before entering Peter Kaus’s famous Rosso Bianco collection Exhibited alongside several Osca barchettas, our car was finally sold in 1995 through Rudy Pas (1950s and 60s Italian race car specialist) to Dr R. The new owner, who resided between Germany and Italy, decided to have the car restored by the best craftsmen, based in Padua : Officine Antoniana (Federico Dalan, engine builder and Maserati specialist) for the mechanical elements, and the well-known coachbuilder Quality Cars (set up by former mechanics from Dino Cognolato) for the chassis and body. The two-year restoration was completed in 1998 and after that the Osca remained at the owner’s holiday home in Castelveccana. At that time it had the Italian registration ZA 703 KW. Dr R. sold the Osca in 2005 to Jan de Reu the renowned collector of rare Italian cars, who registered it in Belgium with «OSC 097»! Having identified its potential and outstanding restoration, Jan de Reu presented the car at the Villa d’Este concours in 2006 where it won first in class G (Fast & Tiny). Complete with this award, the car was sold to an Austrian enthusiast through a Belgian specialist, in part exchange for a Siata 208 CS berlinetta. The Austrian took part in the Ennstal Classic in 2008 in his Osca.
The current owner acquired this car in 2012 and set about researching its history in depth, in order to meticulously piece together the details of the car’s past, expanding the history file that comes with it.
Today, this car is presented in a rare condition attesting to the high standard of its restoration. This comfortable GT has a rare double bubble roof, pierced at the rear for driving with a helmet. It sits on rare Amadori alloy wheels originally intended for racing. Inside, the Jaeger dashboard and large Nardi steering wheel add to its charm. On the road, the strong 4-cylinder engine can be exploited by the car’s handling, helped by direct steering and a light front end.
This car has shown itself to be very reliable, both in the hands of its previous owners as well as those of our Parisian enthusiast who has covered nearly 3 000 km at the wheel. It has been maintained regularly by RPM and Ferry Développement, with over 6 000 euros spent on recommissioning and routine maintenance. This is one of the most well-known Zagato versions, both for its provenance and for the recognition of its authenticity and condition earned by the Villa d’Este award. The car was featured in Automobiles Classiques in 2015 and has appeared in the book Berlinetta '60s by Xavier de Nombel and Christian Descombes. An incredibly well documented example, this magnificent Italian small-series berlinetta combines charm, exclusivity and fun behind the wheel.

Photo © Xavier de Nombel

The auction of this lot will take place on Friday 18 March 2022.
https://www.artcurial.com/fr/lot-1963-osca-1600-gt-berlinette-zagato-double-bubble-4134-174