OSCA S750 Morelli Spyder (Chassis number 760), Sebring 12 Hours, March 20-21, 1959-jeff-allison

Story by Jeff Allison

Noted author Karl Ludvigsen (Classic Racing Engines, 2001) described OSCAs as “…brilliant small-displacement screamers…” Certainly they were an effective combination of chassis, engine and aerodynamic bodywork, most often fashioned by Bologna metal bender Morelli. Some say they were built to the standards of a grand prix racer. For sure, they were consistent and prolific class winners almost everywhere – from small regional Italian races and hill climbs to Sports Car Club of America races to major international venues. A 1452CC, 130HP OSCA MT4 (chassis 1137) was the surprise upset overall winner of the 1954 Twelve Hours of Sebring, outlasting bigger and more powerful cars from Allard, Cunningham, Ferrari, Jaguar and Lancia.

Here are the OSCAs I saw and photographed from 1959-1963. Enjoy!

Italian Lella Lombardi is unique in Formula One history as the first and only woman to score a championship point in the seventy-five years of the modern Formula One championship since 1950. (Rothmans 5000 European Championship, Mallory Park, England, October 13, 1974) Photo by Jeff Allison

Story and photos by Jeff Allison

Maria Grazia “Lella” Lombardi is the only woman to score points in a world championship Formula One race. In the seventy-five years of the modern Formula One championship, only five women have entered a Formula One race and only two have qualified and raced. Italian Maria Teresa de Filippis (1958-1959) was the first, and it would be fifteen years before another woman, Lella Lombardi, would qualify and race in Formula One.

The author next to the 1798cc Ford Escort RS 1600 MkI, which had just won the 1972 East Africa Safari Rally. BOAC 1000KM, Brands Hatch, England, April 16, 1972-dick-lees

Story and photos by Jeff Allison unless otherwise noted

Read Part 1
Part 2 continues “Head Shots” taken by Jeff Allison at races in the U. S., England and Monaco.