This Crazy Machine Reached Supercar Speeds with a 1.0-Liter Engine | Carscoops

This Crazy Machine Reached Supercar Speeds with a 1.0-Liter Engine | Carscoops

      A long-lost Le Mans prototype featuring a small engine and striking design has resurfaced decades later at Villa d’Este, still performing admirably.

      The unusual Silver Fox prototype race car is powered by a compact 1.0-liter Renault Alpine engine.

      Despite its diminutive engine size, the Silver Fox could achieve a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).

      Regrettably, Officine Stampaggi Industriali went under before the Silver Fox could make its racing debut.

      Every spring, a certain lakeside event in Italy becomes the hub of automotive extravagance, showcasing the rarest, most eccentric, and most puzzling cars ever created for a weekend of stylish appreciation. This event takes place at Villa d’Este by Lake Como, and the gathering last weekend provided the kind of spectacle that attendees have come to anticipate.

      Alongside world debuts like the BMW Speedtop and the SCG 007s, one of the most unusual race cars from the 1960s made its presence felt, participating in both the display and the action.

      That car was the OSI Silver Fox, a peculiar, angular machine crafted with a singular purpose: to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans back in 1967. It was produced by Officine Stampaggi Industriali (OSI), a small Italian firm more commonly known for manufacturing low-volume vehicles for brands like Alfa Romeo, Ford, and Innocenti. However, in the mid-1960s, OSI decided to create something bolder, designing and building a car specifically for the demanding world of endurance racing.

      A Wing on Wheels

      The result was a car that resembled more of a scientific experiment than a conventional Le Mans prototype. The Silver Fox featured a twin-hull configuration, reminiscent of a catamaran. These two slender pods gave the vehicle the look of a floating wing. On the left side, situated behind the cockpit, was a 1.0-liter Renault Alpine four-cylinder engine. To counterbalance the drivetrain's weight, the driver was positioned in the right pod.

      Three large spoilers connected the pods and could be adjusted based on the track conditions, enabling the car to find the appropriate balance between downforce and drag. The entire setup was as unconventional as it appeared, but despite its modest engine output, the Silver Fox was reported to be capable of reaching 155 mph (250 km/h). Quite impressive for a car with an engine that would fit better in a hatchback.

      Unfortunately, OSI’s aspirations for success in endurance racing were short-lived. The company went bankrupt in 1968, and the Silver Fox never made it to the starting line at Le Mans. Only one unit was ever produced. The silver lining? That solitary Silver Fox has survived and is still operational. Last weekend, it made a comeback among a collection of exceptional racing prototypes at Villa d’Este, once again capturing admiration with its unique proportions and daring spirit.

This Crazy Machine Reached Supercar Speeds with a 1.0-Liter Engine | Carscoops

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This Crazy Machine Reached Supercar Speeds with a 1.0-Liter Engine | Carscoops

A neglected Le Mans prototype featuring a small engine and striking design makes a comeback decades later at Villa d’Este, continuing to operate effectively.