Mille Miglia '1927–57

OM 665 SS MM Superba 2.3 Litre Supercharged 1930

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/21907/preview_lot/4703552/

The ex-1930 Mille Miglia Class winner and 5th Overall (Bassi/Gazzabini), 1930 Targa Florio (Cau.Minoia), 1930 Irish Grand Prix (G.Ramponi) and 1930 Tourist Trophy, ex-Heiko Seekamp, regular Mille Miglia retrospective entrant and finisher

1930 OM 665 SS MM Superba 2.3 Litre Supercharged Sports Tourer

Coachwork by S.A. Carrozzeria Sport, Milan

Chassis no. 6651095

Engine no. 6651095

Between its introduction in 1923 and 1932, the 665 (its hyphen was quickly dropped from the title), would be successively refined and improved. The gearboxes were reworked, engine sizes grew, short and lowered chassis variants were offered and so on, with each revision an extra suffix joined the model name. The format of cars entered on the 1928 Mille Miglia could be acquired by the public a month or so later when they were presented at the Salone in May as the Type S 'Mille Miglia'. The MM models now had an increased compression ratio, shorter wheelbases and lighter overall weight. In turn for 1929, the engine capacity went up to 2.2 litres and now a Roots Type Supercharger was offered, adding another 'S' to its title.

By 1930, there were no fewer than 25 models in OM's range, but at the top of the tree was the 665 Superba SS MM, and beyond even their specification were the works versions of these cars. Those 'rara avis', were of 2.3 litre supercharged specification, with Memini carburettors, finned cylinder heads, dual water manifold pipes and presumably for easier access or repair their shocks were fitted outside the chassis.

Chassis 665-1095 is one such car and it made its racing debut at the 4th Mille Miglia in 1930. Sporting lightweight two seater bodywork, it was piloted by Aldo Bassi and Carlo Gazzabini, who continuing the string of successes for the marque, brought the car safely home in 5th place overall and first in class. Less than a month later, the car was fielded in the Targa Florio by Nando Minoia, coming home in 6th place.

OM's successes had long been noted by British Agent L. C. Rawlence & Co. of London's Sackville Street, who became their importer. Rawlence's development engineer and driver R.E. Oats, saw the potential for OM in British competition and ordered a series of cars. For the events which they were intended the cars needed four seater sports touring bodies, so it is surmised that over the course of the next few months this and other cars would have been sent to Milan where local coachbuilders Carrozzeria Sport modified its existing coachwork or else replaced it with the four seater lightweight touring bodywork that it needed in order to be eligible for the Irish Grand Prix in July. On their arrival in the UK, Rawlence & Co. had been supplied with new crankshafts, flywheels and connecting rods by the Italians and they had them re-machined and balanced by Laystall in preparation for the upcoming Irish events.

https://www.bonhams.com/auction/21907/lot/257/the-ex-1930-mille-miglia-class-winner-and-5th-overall-bassigazzabini-1930-targa-florio-cauminoia-1930-irish-grand-prix-gramponi-and-1930-tourist-trophy-ex-heiko-seekamp-regular-mille-miglia-retrospective-entrant-and-finisher1930-om-665-ss-mm-superba-23-litre-supercharged-sports-tourer-chassis-no-6651095-engine-no-6651095/