1937 Siata 750 Gran Sport pictures and wallpaper

1937 Siata 750 Gran Sport news, pictures, and information

Roadster
Chassis Num: 035419
Engine Num: 035646

The SIATA Company, an acronym for Societa Italiana Applicazione Trasformazione Automobilistiche, was founded in the mid-1920s by Giorgio Ambrosini. They became known as one of the premier Italian operations specispecializing in transforming production cars into high-performance specialty vehicles. The Company remained in business until 1974. During that time, they transformed over 13,000 vehicles. Their business was much more than just tuning automobiles; they also created a line of 'speed equipment' such as superchargers, twin-carburetor manifolds, high-compression alloy heads, and OHV conversion kits.

The SIATA 750 Gran Sport was born when Fiat introduced their 'Topolino' (meaning little mouse) in 1936. This was a suitable platform for SIATA to enhance the 13hp, 569cc four-cylinder Topolino into something special. The engine was enlarged to 750cc, given overhead valves and fitted with a supercharger. Horsepower rose by over 50%, to 40BHP.

The legendary coachbuilder Zagato created a small run of extra-light, race-prepared SIATA specials using the SIATA/Fiat Gran Sport engine. Zagato's skill was in creating a lightweight package. The result of his work on the SIATA resulted in a reduction of weight from 535kg to 425kg. The chassis was lightened by cutting holes into it wherever possible. The suspension was lowered by 2.6cm. The result was a car that had a top speed in the 80 mph neighborhood.

This 1937 SIATA 750 Gran Sport with coachwork by Zagato is the only confirmed example left in existence. It is believed that Ugo Zagato himself may have raced with this car. In the mid-1990s, this car was given a restoration and then shown at the 1996 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It was exhibited in a special class honoring Ugo Zagato's work. The restoration was done in a very short amount of time. It was completed on the Friday before the concours. When it was brought on the concours green, it was parked in the Zagato group. Once there, the newly rebuilt engine refused to restart. The car was withdrawn from judging.

In 2008, it was offered for sale at the 'Quail Lodge, A Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia' presented by Bonhams Auction. The lot was sold for $106,470 inclusive of buyer's premium.

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Siata: 1931-1940

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