The OSCA brand of the Maserati brothers about to be reborn?

Who is Massimo Di Risio?

The 62-year-old entrepreneur from Molise was first a racing driver in the 1980s, mainly participating in Renault Cups in Italy and Europe. Converted into business, he made a name for himself by creating the DR Motor brand in 2006, which assembles Geely vehicles purchased in kit form and rebadged DR in its Italian factory in Macchia d’Iserna.

The brand made a name for itself in its early days by being marketed only in hypermarkets, then experienced strong growth in 2021 and sold more than 8,000 models. The recipe worked so well that Di Risio did it again with the launch of EVO in 2020, which is positioned at the economical entry level. The entrepreneur has now acquired the rights for the automotive development of OSCA with the blessing of Fabia Maserati, granddaughter of one of the Trident founders.

A short but victorious story

OSCA, acronym of Officine Specializzate Costruzioni Automobili, was founded in 1947 by Ettore, Ernesto and Bindo Maserati, who wanted to continue their work in the automotive field after the sale of the homonymous company to the Orsi family in 1937 and the conclusion of a ten-year agreement of consultancy and of cooperation. Their new company immediately became famous for small-displacement racing cars, starting with the MT4, which featured a twin-cam engine of just over 1 liter and just 72 horsepower. The car is capable of winning, in its reference category, important races such as the Targa Florio.

The high point came in 1954 with the development of an MT4 sports car with an evolution of the engine increased to 2 litres, that Stirling Moss makes triumph at the 12 hours of Sebring. OSCA also ventured into F2 and even into Formula 1 in the 1950s. The successes were as prestigious as the life of the company was short since in 1962, the Maserati brothers sold to the Agusta family which integrated OSCA into MV Agusta. The entity continues until 1967 the production of engines, which notably equip the Fiat 1500S Cabriolet.

« Although over the years it has been contested by several car manufacturers and other interlocutors wishing to acquire the brand – explained Fabia Maserati – my father’s choice was a precise one, aimed at reviving one of the most of motorsport, which has contributed enormously to the development of automotive technology. Massimo Di Risio was a winning driver, even before he became a successful automotive entrepreneur. In Di Risio, I see the same passion and tenacity that drove the Maseratis. Because OSCA will develop an industrial plan that can bring the brand back to life. »

A first attempt at resurrection took place in 1999 with the presentation of the OSCA 2500 GT Dromos concept, which had been developed through a partnership between Lucas Zagato, heir to the famous Italian coachbuilder, and the Japanese entrepreneur Fushida, but the prototype remained without the following day. We wish more success to this new attempt, which will eventually lead to a very exclusive small production.