Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).

1953 Siata 208CS background image

1953 Siata 208CS Berlinetta

  • Coachwork by Balbo
  • Chassis Number: CS073
1953 Siata 208CS Navigation
Giorgio Ambrosini's Siata firm began specializing in the construction of aftermarket components in 1926 for Fiat, and would continue that relationship for many years to come. They continued to expand their reputation with high-performance variants on Fiat vehicles, including the 502, 512, 508 S and Topolino models.

In the early 1950s, Siata introduced their first in-house chassis known as the Daina series. This was followed by the Farina-bodied Gran Sport and the 750 Spider. Around the same time period, Fiat management decided to produce a limited number of high-end sports cars called the Otto Vu (8V) and powered by an all-alloy V8 engine. Siata took the opportunity to create a car that could be homolo-gated for the two-liter class. They began with a lightweight, oval-tube chassis and installed a tuned 8V engine, a five-speed gearbox, and a fully independent suspension setup. The bodywork was aluminum and fabricated by Stabilimenti-Farina. At the 1952 Turin Auto Salon, Siata took the opportunity to introduce its first 208 CS. Six additional 208 CS models were constructed before the close of 1952, at which time Stabilimenti-Farina was forced to close its doors and production of the vehicles was transferred to Carrozzeria Successori Balbo. The Balbo-bodied 208 CS were similar in many ways to the early Farina cars, yet had a unique grille and a revised chassis tubing and several subtle design changes throughout.

This example, chassis number CS073, is one of nine examples bodied by Balbo and one of only 15 208 CS models constructed. The early history of this car is not known, however, it is believed that the car arrived in the United States early in its life. At the time it was owned by Cornelius 'Kim' McFadden of Philadelphia during the 1960s. In 1966, the Otto Vu engine was replaced with a Ford V8 unit, in an attempt to make the car more competitive in local club racing events. Initially, the car retained its original rear end, but was soon replaced with a unit sourced from a Corvette. In 1967, the original engine, five-speed gearbox and rear-end were offered for sale. The parts, along with chassis CS072, was purchased by Peter Kaus in Germany.

Mr. McFadden's Siata was sold by his estate and was acquired by Peter Charlap of New York. The current owner discovered the Siata coupe in 1986. The bodywork was intact, the tubular chassis was largely untouched and many of the distinctive, original details were present. After 15 years of gathering original components, an appropriate 8V engine and 8V gearbox were acquired. After a comprehensive restoration, the car was brought back to its original. The work was completed in the late 2000s and in 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was estimated to sell for $650,000 - $850,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of 605,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2011

2011 Gooding and Company - The Amelia Island Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $650,000-USD $850,000 
Sale Price :
USD $605,000

1953 Siata 208CS Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Siata 208CS

(Data based on Model Year 1953 sales)
1953 Siata 208 CS Coupe
Chassis#: CS070
Sold for USD$1,407,500
  2025 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island
1953 Siata 208CS image  1953 Siata 208CS image  
1953 Siata 208 CS
Chassis#: CS 072
Sold for USD$1,627,500
  2021 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours Auction
1953 Siata 208CS image  1953 Siata 208CS image  
1953 Siata 208 CS Berlinetta
Chassis#: CS073
Sold for USD$605,000
  2011 Gooding and Company - The Amelia Island Auction
1953 Siata 208CS image  1953 Siata 208CS image  

Siata 208CSs That Failed To Sell At Auction

1953 Siata 208CS's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1953 Siata 208CS Balbo BerlinettaCS 0712023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center $1,400,000$1,700,000
1953 Siata 208 CS by BalboCS 0722023 RM Sothebys : Monterey   

Vehicles With Comparable Market Values

Similar sales to the $1,213,333 range.
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback
Chassis#:BC17LB
Sold for $1,215,000
2025 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island
2019 FORD GT
Chassis#:2FAGP9CW9KH200233
Sold for $1,210,000
2025 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale
1996 Porsche 911 Speedster Remastered by Gunther Werks
Chassis#:WP0CA2990TS340992
Sold for $1,215,000
2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1966 Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster
Chassis#:csx3283
Sold for $1,210,000
2024 Mecum : Monterey
1953 Siata 208CS vehicle thumbnail image  
2006 Bugatti Veyron 16.4
Chassis#:VF9SA15B76M795017
Sold for $1,215,000
2024 Broad Arrow : Monterey
1908 American Underslung 50/60 HP Roadster
Chassis#:1427
Sold for $1,215,000
2024 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1953 Siata 208CS vehicle thumbnail image  1953 Siata 208CS vehicle thumbnail image  
2019 Ford GT Heritage Edition
Chassis#:2FAGP9CW3KH200230
Sold for $1,215,000
2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia
1953 Siata 208CS vehicle thumbnail image  1953 Siata 208CS vehicle thumbnail image  
2019 McLaren Senna
Chassis#:SBM15ACA7KW800284
Sold for $1,215,000
2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra
Chassis#:CSX 2044
Sold for $1,215,000
2024 RM Sothebys : Arizona
1953 Siata 208CS vehicle thumbnail image  1953 Siata 208CS vehicle thumbnail image  
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
Chassis#:198.042.7500115
Sold for $1,215,000
2023 RM Sothebys : Las Vegas
1994 Bugatti EB110 GT Chassis
Chassis#:ZA9AB01SORCD39071
Sold for $1,215,521
2023 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale
1929 Bugatti Type 37 Grand Prix Two-Seater Chassis
Chassis#:37383
Sold for $1,215,521
2023 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale
2011 FERRARI 599 SA APERTA
Chassis#:ZFF72RHA1B0180054
Sold for $1,215,000
2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1994 Porsche 911 Turbo S Flachbau
Chassis#:WP0AC2960RS480444
Sold for $1,215,000
2023 Broad Arrow Group : Amelia Island
1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
Chassis#:198.042.10.002840
Sold for $1,215,000
2023 Broad Arrow Group : Amelia Island
1964 MERCEDES-BENZ 230 SL COUPE SPECIALE
Chassis#:113.042.10.001336
Sold for $1,215,000
2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1993 PORSCHE 964 CARRERA RSR 3.8
Chassis#:WP0ZZZ96ZPS496090
Sold for $1,215,000
2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1953 Siata 208CS vehicle thumbnail image  1953 Siata 208CS vehicle thumbnail image  
1951 Ferrari 212 Inter Alloy Coupe
Chassis#:0145 E
Sold for $1,215,000
2022 Bonhams : The Quail Auction
1953 Siata 208CS vehicle thumbnail image  1953 Siata 208CS vehicle thumbnail image  
1955 LANCIA AURELIA B24S SPIDER AMERICA
Chassis#:B24S 1021
Sold for $1,225,000
2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1957 Bentley Continental S.1 H.J. Mulliner Fastback Sports Saloon
Chassis#:BC96LBG
Sold for $1,215,000
2022 Broad Arrow Auctions : Monterey Jet Center Auction
1953 Siata 208CS vehicle thumbnail image  1953 Siata 208CS vehicle thumbnail image  

1953 Siata 208CS

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
Image gallery
Other Siata 208CS model years

1953 Siata 208CS Vehicle Profiles

1953 Siata 208CS vehicle information
Berlinetta
Coachwork: Vignale
Chassis #: CS070
Engine #: CS040
1953 Siata 208CS vehicle information
Berlinetta
Coachwork: Balbo
1953 Siata 208CS vehicle information
Berlinetta
Coachwork: Balbo
Chassis #: CS 072
Engine #: CS 065
1953 Siata 208CS vehicle information
Berlinetta
Coachwork: Balbo
Chassis #: CS069
Engine #: CS074
1953 Siata 208CS vehicle information
Berlinetta
Coachwork: Balbo
Chassis #: CS073
1953 Siata 208CS vehicle information
Spyder
Coachwork: Farina

Vehicle information, history, and specifications from concept to production.