1953 Siata 208 S

The Siata 208 S was an exclusive, lightweight Italian sports car with an aluminum spider (roadster) body designed by Giovanni Michelotti and built by Rocco Motto. Introduced in 1952, a total of 35 examples were built through 1955. Mounted at the front was Fiat's all-alloy Tipo 104 70-degree 2-liter V8 engine that offered 125 horsepower and endowed the small sports car with a top speed of around 125 mph.

Siata (Società Italiana Auto Trasformazioni Accessori (English) Italian Car Transformation Accessories Company)
Siata was an Italian boutique performance specialist founded in 1926 by Giorgio Ambrosini. The company originally specialized in selling performance components for Fiat vehicles; however, following World War II, it began manufacturing its own sports cars until production ceased due to bankruptcy in 1970. Their first production automobile was the Amica of 1948 with power via a 500cc Fiat engine offering 22 horsepower. Body styles included a two-seater convertible (spider) and a coupe.

Fiat 8V
In keeping with Siata tradition, the 208S was based heavily on Fiat mechanical componentry, and at its center was a Fiat 8V ('Otto Vu' or 'V8' in English). Believing Ford had a copyright on 'V8', Fiat used the '8V' name for its eight-cylinder engine with a V-shaped block.

The 8V (Tipo 104)
The 8V had a 70-degree V configuration, two twin-choke Weber 36 DCF 3 carburetors, an 8.5:1 compression, a displacement size of 1,996cc, and produced 105 horsepower at 5,600 RPM. It was built from aluminum alloy and had a forged crankshaft, finned aluminum sump, polished intakes and ports, and tubular stainless-steel exhaust manifolds. Later versions of the engine received 8.75:1 compression and produced 125 horsepower at 6,600 RPM.

A total of 114 examples of the Fiat 8V were produced, with 34 wearing factory-produced bodywork by Fiat's Dipartimento Carrozzerie Derivate e Speciali ('Special Bodies Department'). Ghia and Vignale created coachwork for the 8V, along with Carrozzeria Zagato, who bodied 30 examples.

Among the accolades achieved by the 8V include a class victory at the 1955 Targa Florio and the 1957 Mille Miglia, along with a win at the 1956 Italian Sports Car Championship (2.0-liter class).

Siata 208S (1953 to 1955)
SIATA was involved with FIAT's Otto Vu project from the outset, allowing them access to the overrun of planned V8 power units. Approximately 200 examples of the 8V engine were built, and Siata acquired around 50 drivetrains with motors for its latest sports-racing models, the 208 CS Coupe and the 208S Spider.

The Siata 208S was introduced in 1953 resting on a 106-inch wheelbase platform and powered by an all-alloy Tipo 104 70-degree 2-liter V8 engine. Performance modifications bestowed upon the 8V by Siata included a custom exhaust system, revised cylinder heads, and performance-tuned cams. The superbly balanced chassis was suspended by an independent suspension, and stopping power was by four large-diameter drums.

Eighteen examples of the 208 CS (two-door coupe) were built with eleven receiving coachwork by Balbo and seven by Stabilimenti Farina. The 208S (spider) wore a design penned by Giovanni Michelotti and executed by Carrozzeria Motto. Approximately three 208S prototypes wore custom bodies made by Farina and Bertone.

The 8V Siata had a timeless design with a shape that was both elegant and dramatic, and its aesthetic presence mirrored the expectational performance of the sophisticated drivetrain. Its diminutive size enhanced its nimble characteristics, making it aptly suited for the most exciting roads, particularly those in Europe. Zero-to-sixty mph took 12.4 seconds, and top speed was achieved at 124 mph, which is a respectable performance figure for this era.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2024