1953 Siata 208 S news, pictures, and information

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Spyder Bertone
Designer: Bertone
Chassis Num: 523

Designed by Michelotti and built by Bertone in 1953, the Siata (Chassis #523) was equipped with the Fiat 8V 'kit' including 2-liter engine, 4-speed transmission, and independent suspension. Its stunning clean design provided many styling cues seen in later cars. Less than 35 of the Spiders were ever built, with most finding their way to the West Coast. This car, #523, was originally sold to Steve McQueen and spent most of its life in California. It is the only one to have been shown at Pebble Beach twice, as well as many of the other Northern concours events. It participated in the inaugural Mille Autunno and the California Classic rallies.

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Spyder Motto
Designer: Rocco Motto

Siata was a small Italian car manufacturer that created a series of sports cars, competing from 1926 to 1970. The 208S Spyder was the first car in a series of three prototypes built for the International Motor Show in New York in 1953. It was then sold and raced as part of the Ecurie Shoestring at many Sports Car Club of America events, reaching an impressive 2nd in class finish and 7th overall at Sebring 1954. The Siata continued to be competitive for a few more years and then was retired. Its beautiful custom coachwork created by Rocco Motto is a prominent example of balanced Italian styling.

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Spyder Bertone
Designer: Bertone

Societa Italiana Trasformazioni was formed in 1926 by Giorgio Ambrosini to manufacture tuning accessories for Fiat automobiles. The first SIATA car, the Amica, was built in 1939. Then, during WWII, the company produced military equipment for the war effort. Postwar, it produced a very successful auxiliary bicycle motor and returned to producing performance accessores. In 1949, it released the new Amica, followed by the Diana and competition cars. 1951 brought the BC Barchetta Sport Spider, and in 1952, a two seat coupe, the Diana Sport, and the 1400 Grand Sport, a cabriolet, were introduced. This car is a Pinin Farina design, and 200 were produced. In 1961, SIATA became SIATA Auto SpA, producing Fiat-based cars until 1970, when financial problems stopped production. This example was restored and prepped to participate in vintage rallies.

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Spyder Motto
Designer: Rocco Motto
Chassis Num: BS514

This Siata 208S (chassis number BS514) was first imported into the United States in 1953 by Pebble Beach Road Race participant and European sports car dealer Ernie McAfee. His Los Angeles company bought 25 of the 35 Siatas built. Although they were expensive cars in their day, Siatas were renowned for their advanced suspension and crisp handling. They always performed well at races like the Carrera Panamericana and at circuits like Riverside and Laguna Seca. The 208S had a 2-liter Fiat V8 engine and fully independent suspension, and the bodywork was designee by Rocco Motto. This small Italian design house bodied a limited number of racing cars from a variety of manufacturers, combining elegance with light weight.

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Spyder Bertone
Designer: Bertone

Siata was the acronym for an Italian company that originally provided auto equipment and engine conversions, especially for Fiats. Automobile production began in 1948. Among the early Siatas were roadsters and coupe versions of the Fiat 8V coupe, both of which were produced as a joint effort with Fiat.

The car is powered by an overhead-valve, 1977cc (2-liter) V8 engine developing 110 horsepower coupled to a manual transmission and capable of about 125 mph.

In collaboration with Briggs Cunningham, Siata produced specialty cars for celebrities during this period. The 1,875 pound car sold for $6,000.

Siata, meaning Societa Italiana Applicazioni Trasformazioni Automobilistiche, was created in 1926 by Georgio Ambrosini of Turin. They specialized in producing tuning accessories for Italian automobiles, mainly Fiat. Throughout the years they created a few prototype vehicles, many of which were entered in various racing events.

The Siata 208 was produced from 1952 through 1954. Many of the mechanical components were courtesy of Fiat, such as the V8 engine that was capable of producing 140 horsepower.

Originally, the vehicle was bodied by Stablimenti Farina but was later handled by Carrozzeria Balbo. Bertone was tasked with producing a GT saloon version powered by a Chrysler engine. In total, around 32 examples were produced.

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