Difference between revisions of "OSI"
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Revision as of 17:27, 23 March 2009
Officina Stampaggio Industriale SpA
OSI was founded in 1960 by Arrigo Olivetti and Luigi Segre. The latter was the then owner of Ghia, and the aim of the new company was to produce models designed by Ghia as well as production tooling for the industry. In 1962 they became more independent and built cars designed by various stylists, based on both Italian (see below) and other mechanicals. In 1968 Ghia took total control of the company and the production of cars ceased. They continued to work in other areas.
Presented at the Geneva Motorshow in 1967, the Weekend used the mechanical parts of the Fiat 850. Two covers were available, the simple 'summer' item seen in the illustrations below and a complete cover, including sides, for use in more adverse weather conditions. OSI also made a coupé based on the 850 which can be seen here.
Using the Fiat 1100 chassis and mechanicals as a basis, OSI constructed two very pretty derivatives, a coupé and a spider. They were produced in some numbers.
OSI Alfa Romeo de luxePresented at the 1965 Turin Motorshow, this was a four-door saloon based on the Alfa Romeo 2600 berlina. The entire mechanicals were taken from the latter car, including the 130bhp 2584cc straight-six engine. In 1966 the de Luxe took the more powerful 145bhp version of the engine as used in the Alfa Spider and Alfa Sprint versions of the 2600.
The car was sold officially through Alfa Romeo and had the model designation 106.16. The engine designations were AR00600 (130bhp) and AR00601 (145bhp). A total of 54 examples were built until production stopped in 1967.
A strange twin-boom vehicle constructed in 1967 and shown at the Turin Motorshow of that year, the Silver Fox was aimed at competition (Group B6) and at record attempts. It was powered by a 1000cc Renault Alpine four-cylinder unit positioned obliquely behind the seat in the left-hand boom. Between the two booms were three wing-shaped aerodynamic aids, the front one was adjustable with the vehicle static, the large central one was equipped with a wing adjustable when driving, whilst the rear one was fixed and included aerodynamic brakes.
A concept car aimed at improving the safety of road vehicles, the Secura was jointly developed by OSI and Quattroruote and used Fiat 1500 mechanicals.
OSI Scarabeo designed for low-volume production, the Giulia Scarabeo emerged first in 1966. Clearly with competition in mind, it used a transverse Giulia GTA 1570cc engine (dohc 4-cyl with 115bhp @ 6,00rpm) mounted behind the two seats. The rear wheels were driven through an angled shaft, the rear suspension used transverse arms with coilover units, whilst the disc brakes were inboard. The front suspension used a similar independent system and disc brakes, though outboard. Steering was rack and pinion whilst the fuel was stored in the large diameter tubes which formed parts of the chassis structure. The body was made of a composite plastic fitted to a welded tubular and plate chassis which gave a weight of 700kg. The wheelbase was 2150mm (front/rear tracks : 1310mm/1320mm) whilst the total height was only 1020mm.
OSI ScarabeoA total of three cars were built, two coupes (the first with right-hand-drive, the second with left-hand-drive) and a single spider version. The second coupe can be seen in the Alfa Romeo Museo at Arese.
OSI 1100R SpiderThis Fiat 1100R based spider was shown at the 1966 Geneva Motorshow.
The Turin Motorshow of 1967 saw OSI displaying this estate car based on the Fiat 125. The load area was increased by redesigning the fuel tank.
OSI Cross Country OSI entered the more serious 'off-road' market at the The Turin Motorshow of 1966. Their new offering, the Cross Country, was based around the Fiat 124, but with major changes. The wheelbase was shortened to 2020mm and the whole chassis strengthened. The rear axle was a Fiat Campagnola unit, complete with locking differential. Obviously, a competely new body, including removable doors and hood, was used.
Another prototype appeared also at the Turin car show and was designed probably from Bertone based on a Hi-Po Mustang Coupe chassis with a 271HP engine, 4-speed trannsmission, 4 disk brakes and 195/14 tires. This prototype is said to be the test mule for the later FORD OSI, which was built at the OSI factory in Italy. Only few cars were sold however.
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