One of the most interesting cars to go under the hammer at Coy's prestigious Monaco auction this year was an unusual O.S.C.A. engined Fiat 1600 S Coupe that more than held its own amongst the event's many valuable historic sports car exotica. Eventually fetching 35,500 euros it comfortably beat Coy's estimate of 28,000-32,000 euros.

Presented at the auction in Monaco in excellent condition, this rare O.S.C.A. engined Fiat Coupe had been stored for 35 years by its elderly Italian owner, during which time, roughly 15 years ago, it was repainted. However, the Italian gentleman who had been waiting so patiently to drive the car upon his retirement was eventually too old to properly enjoy it, and his family reluctantly sold the car around five years ago. The outgoing owner had since then rebuilt the engine, carburettors and other mechanical parts as necessary.

The O.S.C.A. developed Fiat 1600 S Coupe's stem from the hand of the Modena-based Maserati brothers, who between the wars, gained a first class reputation as suppliers of the Trident badged racing cars to privateer drivers. 1938 saw the sale of their eponymous company to Industrialist Adolfo Orsi. To their discontent, Orsi’s son Omer, was pressing for the construction of road cars. Towards the end of 1947, their service contract completed, the three surviving brothers went off to form O.S.C.A. (Special Organisation for the Construction of Automobiles) in nearby Bologna. Never more than 30 cars a year were built consisting of mainly small engined sports racing cars. There was an outright victory at the 1954 Sebring 24hrs and numerous class wins at Le Mans and in the Mille Miglia. In a reversal of the policy that led them to leave Maserati, the brothers began building GT cars using a tuned 1,598cc version of the Fiat - O.S.C.A. engine which gave 140 bhp. The chassis was pure Fiat besides the addition of disc brakes on all four wheels. Each car was built to individual requirements and bodies came from Zagato, Fissore, Boneschi Touring and Morelli.

The car sold by Coy's had recently been fitted with new tyres as well as having other worn parts replaced, and the car recently received a new German TÜV. The chrome work was in very good condition throughout, the car started easily and maintained good oil pressure, and cosmetically this Fiat was presented with a wonderful original tan leather interior, superb woodwork and Nardi steering wheel. Copies of Italian paperwork were included with the car.