PROVENANCE
Briggs S. Cunningham, Green Farms, Connecticut (acquired new in September 1959)
A. Cecil Schoeneman, Sioux Falls, South Dakota (acquired from the above in February 1961)
Steven A. Wacholtz, Spokane, Washington (acquired from the above in March 1971)
Dr. John Hunholz, Snohomish, Washington (acquired circa 1971)
Current Owner (acquired from the estate of the above in 2015)

RACE HISTORY
12 Hours of Sebring, Sebring, Florida, March 1960, Denise McCluggage/Marianne Windridge, Number 64, (DNF)

LITERATURE
Luigi Orsini and Franco Zagari, OSCA: La Rivincita Dei Maserati, chassis number listed p. 346, engine number listed p. 349

THIS CAR
Founded near Bologna during late 1947 by Ernesto, Ettore, and Bindo Maserati, Officine Specializzate Costruzione Automobili, best known as OSCA, quickly established an outstanding competition record, as its cars were campaigned at top international events by the era’s finest drivers and racing teams. Among OSCA’s many successes, the brilliant overall win scored by Stirling Moss and Bill Lloyd with Briggs Cunningham’s OSCA MT4 at the 1954 12 Hours of Sebring cemented his regard for the Maserati brothers’ cars and their uncanny “giant-killing” performance.

Bearing chassis no. 767, the 1959 OSCA Tipo S sports racer offered here is a wonderful case in point, documented with delivery when new to Alfred Momo’s Momo Corporation in New York City and original ownership by none other than Momo’s close associate, legendary racer and sportsman Briggs Cunningham. Originally powered by a Tipo 273 1,100 cc engine, it was refitted with engine no. 771, a 750-cc Tipo 187N unit, and prepared by Momo for Cunningham. Documented as such in OSCA: La Rivincita Dei Maserati, and by correspondence on file between Momo, Cunningham, and the subsequent owner, 767 was also intensively researched by noted authority János Wimpffen. According to Mr. Wimpffen, while Cunningham owned several OSCAs in period, no. 767 possibly was raced at six race meetings during 1959. Most likely, it was raced on September 6 and 7 at the Thompson, Connecticut, SCCA Nationals, driven by Phil Forno.

No. 767’s most significant race outing must certainly be at the 1960 12 Hours of Sebring. Earlier that year, Briggs Cunningham loaned 767 to noted journalist and highly successful racing driver Denise McCluggage. While still finished in Team Cunningham livery, 767 was entered at Sebring by Lloyd “Lucky” Casner’s Camoradi racing team. Co-driven by McCluggage and Marianne Windridge, aka “Pinkie Rollo,” the OSCA suffered cooling issues forcing its retirement. According to Mr. Wimpffen, it appears that 767 was not used further by the Cunningham team post-Sebring, consistent with Momo’s letter on file dated November 16, 1960, which states: “The car has been recently overhauled. It was raced at Sebring but ran short of water. The engine was returned to the factory in Bologna and completely overhauled and now is just like new. …”

Following extensive correspondence with Momo and Cunningham during late 1960 and early 1961, A. Cecil Schoeneman, a forestry businessman and amateur racer from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, purchased both OSCA 767 and 758, documented by the Bill of Sale dated February 9, 1961. Following acquisition, Mr. Schoeneman raced 767 and/or its sister car from 1961 through 1963 in 11 events, with best results including 2nd Overall at the 1962 Alliance, Kansas SCCA Regionals, 2nd Overall at the 1962 Greenwood, Iowa Inaugural Race, 1st Overall the next day in the Greenwood Nationals, and 3rd Overall at the 1963 Lake Garnett Nationals.

In March 1971, 767 was acquired from Mr. Schoeneman by Steven Wacholtz of Spokane, Washington, passing shortly thereafter to Dr. John Hunholz of Snohomish, Washington, a small-displacement racing-car collector and enthusiast, who restored the car with his son. Dr. Hunholz would retain the OSCA for the next four decades, until the consignor acquired it from his estate in August 2015.

As offered, OSCA 767 is highly engaging in period Team Cunningham livery and wraparound racing windscreen, with the engine, gearbox, brakes, and rear axle recently and expertly rebuilt by Vintage Racing Motors in Redmond, Washington. Well-documented from new, 767 retains its Borrani wire wheels, and presents well, having seen little to no use after restoration. As offered, this OSCA is currently powered by engine No. 758, displacing approximately 860 cc.

Highly desirable and offering many outstanding possibilities for use on the road and track, this ex-Cunningham OSCA Tipo S is eligible for some of today’s most compelling classic touring and competition events.