1937 Siata 750 Gran Sport

Sold for $106,470 at 2008 Bonhams & Butterfields Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia.
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.

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.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2008