188 | GOODWOOD REVIVAL SALE
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.