1954 Siata 200CS Berlinetta

Turin, Italy based Siata (Societa italiana Applicazioni Trasformazioni Automobilistiche) manufactred parts for Fiat and other makes. It was founded in 1926 by Giorgio Ambrosini and after World War II, the company began producing cars under its own name. Typically the cars used a modified Fiat drivetrain and chassis. Several of the cars were successfully raced in America. Unfortunately, the company ran into financial trouble in the mid-1950s and closed its doors in 1970. The 200 and 208 models were produced from 1952-1954 and came about largely because Siata was able to buy 2.0-liter V-8 powertrains from Fiat (which built another 114 for its own short-lived and ill-fated sports car, the Otto Vu).

With increased compression, complex exhaust headers that rise up from the exhaust ports, a pair of Weber 36 DCF3 carburetors and a high-output camshaft, the all-aluminum-alloy three-main bearing engine made 125 horsepower in the top tune offered by SIATA. That's 20 more horsepower than it produced in the Fiat 8V. When Fiat discontinued the 8V after a run of just 114 cars, SIATA, then best known as an accessories company that hot-rodded FIATs, purchased their remaining supply of V-8 engines. SIATA created the 208S, then later the 200 CS, which used a unique tubular-frame chassis supporting lightweight aluminum body panels.

This car is one of only 18 Siata coupes powered by the 1996cc Fiat 8V engine capable of producing 110 horsepower. It is one of only 11 bodied by Balbo (the first of the series was completed in early 1952 in time to compete in the Mille Miglia). It was imported into the United States, arriving in New York in 1954, and photographer Robert Grier was its first owner. Two more followed while the car continued to be raced in SCCA events until it found its way to a used car lot in Queens, when the current owner's father purchased it in 1959. On September 12, 1959, the car was purchased off of a used car lot in Queens, New York by Dr. Julius Eisenstark and has remained in the family since. During his tutelage, the car was mechanically rebuilt and had many creature comforts added, including a period-correct GT interior replacing the bare race car starkness and a repaint, again in red, in 1967.

It was originally painted dark blue, but was repainted in 1966 and again in 1991. It has also been fitted with a new interior. The odometer reads just 36,000 miles from new.

With a spyder body by Fantuzzi, number 2089 was a private entry in both the 1955 and 1956 Mille Miglia races, finishing 1st in Class (4th overall) and 2nd in Class (56th overall) respectively. Owned and driven by Francesco Giardini, it also competed at other venues in period, such as LeMans, Monza, and the Targa Florio. It is powered by a 2-liter twin-cam 6-cylinder engine. In 1959 the car was rebuilt at the Maserati factory in a GT configuration with its present Pininfarina coupe body. It won the Art Center College of Design Award at Pebble Beach in 2005.

This car is one of six Balbo Coupes that are accounted for and has remained in one family ownership for over 60 years.

On June 8, 2017, the car was being road tested by a technician when it was hit from behind by a driver who was texting. The damage was extensive. In the ensuing nine months, the car has undergone a total restoration. You are seeing the car restored to its original livery.