“Alex and I went to Franco Lombardi’s Genova Autostory event, which coincidently featured a special Osca display,” recalls Heywood. “It was a memorable trip where I met Alfieri Maserati and historian Luigi Orsini.
“I made lots of notes from a very original MT4 that was on display, and we found some parts in the autojumble including a pair of brake-fluid reservoirs.”
In the final two weeks before the May event, Heywood and team worked until 10pm every night to get the Osca finished: “Around my local ‘Targa Hitchin’ testing course the car was great fun, but with the hard suspension you had to watch out for potholes.
“The gearbox was the only failing, and I never understood why it only had synchromesh on third and fourth.”
Under the bonnet, the Osca MT4 is engineered in the style of early post-war Maseratis
In engineering detail the Osca is a toolroom design built with immense pride in the style of the early post-war Maseratis: “Features such as the water pump running off the back of the dynamo shaft, the quarter-elliptic rear springs and the brass bushes of the front wishbones are typical of the early A6-1500 models.”
As support crew, the McGrath team had an eventful first Mille Miglia chasing the little Osca to Rome and back over those legendary roads: “The weather was very wet and it was a steep learning curve, then just as we made the Brescia finish the clutch failed.
“The locals cheered us on as we pushed it across the line. With cigarette in hand, a euphoric Alex announced that it was the drive of his life.
“There’s no weather protection, and it was tiring with lots of noise from the side exhaust, but Alex never invited his navigator to drive,” relates Heywood.
The little Osca is a joy to drive on the narrow roads of the Cotswolds
Fyshe adored the little Osca and took it back to three former historic venues.
As well as tackling the Mille Miglia seven times, he drove it to Le Mans for a few parade laps before the 24 Hours, and revisited Sicily for a rerun of the Targa Florio.
Fyshe reluctantly sold the MT4 in 2013 after 16 unforgettable years, but it successfully completed the Mille Miglia again in 2014, this time with an all-female crew.
The Osca MT4’s tail can feel a little light on the limit
The narrow Cotswolds route chosen for our test on a fresh spring morning couldn’t contrast more with the baking heat of the Sicilian mountains or a long, wet night around La Sarthe, but the Osca’s character soon shines through.
The compact cockpit and superbly supportive, leather-trimmed bucket seats are snug for me, but at speed anyone taller would be constantly having to duck down out of the relentless airstream.
When driven solo, this MT4 was fitted with a higher single ’screen for Le Mans that would help with wind protection, but it would have taken a plucky pilot to hunker down along the Mulsanne straight in 1954, with Ferrari 375 Plus or Jaguar D-type blasting past and blinding you with a wash of spray.
Sir Stirling Moss bought himself an Osca 1500S for historic racing
The interior details are purposefully minimal with just three instruments: a Jaeger rev counter marked to 10,000rpm, plus oil-pressure and water-temperature gauges.
After pushing in the clockwork-toy-like ignition key, and fumbling under the dash for the starter lever, the hearty little ‘four’ barks into life with an eager rasp.
The lack of synchromesh on first and second gears makes low-speed changes a pain (one MT4 owner fitted a Toyota five-speed gearbox in frustration), but singing along in the higher ratios, the change through the tight gate is super-slick.
Once you are familiar with the gears, the lively motor loves to rev, with a fervent range that gives surprisingly energetic torque.
The Osca badge sits proudly on the MT4’s bonnet
The worm-and-sector steering is a total delight, too, its light action both fast and precise, and offering inspiring feel.
With a clearer route, extending the MT4’s potential is a joy thanks to the chassis balance and its taut character.
Pushed harder through the bends the tail feels a little light, but with a full tank of fuel and a spare wheel fitted, the weight distribution would make better use of the limited grip from the narrow 15in Michelins.
Initially, it’s hard to imagine driving the MT4 flat-out for 14 hours across Italy, but you soon get into the groove behind that wood-rimmed four-spoke steering wheel and relish every minute.
Fyshe parted with the MT4 in 2013, but it appeared again at the Mille Miglia the following year
After just a few miles, it’s easy to appreciate the competitive nature and precise build of this junior Maserati – and you quickly realise why Moss loved racing the Osca so much.
This Latin jewel just begs to be driven enthusiastically, to find that sweet spot where its accurate controls, eager power and balanced handling blend together brilliantly.
The competitive fever of battling Porsche Spyders throughout the 1950s around those legendary road circuits must have been addictive.
Little wonder this MT4 was raced so constantly by its lucky owners. I loved it.
Images: Will Williams
Thanks to Martin Chisholm at the Classic Motor Hub and Andy Heywood at McGrath Maserati
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Mick Walsh
Mick Walsh is Classic & Sports Car’s International Editor