1954 Siata 208 CS

The Siata 208 S (Sport) was a lightweight sports spider designed by Giovanni Michelotti and built by Rocco Motto, while the 208 CS was the coupe version. Thirty-five examples were Spiders (including two Bertone-designed prototypes) and eighteen were Coupes with eleven being bodied by Balbo and seven by Stabilimenti Farina. Production of both began in 1952 with the 208 CS ending in 1954 and the 208 S a year later.

The Siata 208 CS was introduced at the 1952 Turin Auto Show, and it joined the Siata Daina produced from 1950 to 1958 in a coupe and convertible configuration.

The Società Italiana Auto Trasformazione Accessori (SIATA) was established by Giorgio Ambrosini in 1926 in Turin, Italy. Initially, the company manufactured speed equipment for FIATs, including high-compression cylinder heads, overhead valve conversions, dual carburetor manifolds, superchargers, gearsets and even complete gearboxes. The symbiotic relationship enjoyed by these two companies brought competition success and boosted sales without FIAT's direct involvement.

After World War II came to a close, Siata resumed construction of FIAT-based sports car, and with the FIAT-SIATA 750 Sport Competizione, Giorgio Ambrosini's son Renato won the 750cc Italian Championship in 1948 and 1949. A series of Crosley-powered SIATA 300BC Spiders were sent to the United States, and larger and more powerful cars followed, bringing prominence to the company amongst many influential racers and celebrities, including Steve McQueen and Briggs Cunningham.

When Fiat ceased production of the Otto Vu project, Siata had access to the overrun of planned V8 power units. The 'Otto Vu' (8V) was Fiat's new eight-cylinder sports car developed especially for racing. Introduced in 1952 at the Geneva Motor Show, production of the 8V continued through 1954. The 2-liter V8 engine was the source of the car's name, known as the 8V, or 'Otto Vu.' (Fiat was worried that Ford held the trademark for the V8 name.) The 1,996cc 70-degree V8 engine had pushrods operated by a single camshaft in the center.

Siata automobiles with the 2 liter V8 engine were known as the 208 and they were given coachwork penned by the styling house of Motto. Siata tuned the engine to deliver approximately 125 horsepower at 6,000 RPM with the help of twin Weber 36 DCF3 carburetors. With updates to the camshaft and a trio of Weber carburetors, output rose to 140 hp. The engine was paired with a five-speed transmission and four-wheel hydraulic alloy drum brakes provided the stopping power. The tubular chassis was of Siata's design and was clothed with aluminum coachwork. The suspension was independent at the front and rear with wishbones, coil springs and shock absorbers.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2023