Siata (the Societa Italiana Auto Trasformazioni Accessori) began as a tuning specialist making speed equipment for Fiats. Then, after the war, it built its own Fiat-based sports cars, such as the 750 Sport and the tiny 300 BC. In 1953 Siata designed the first Fiat 8V-based car, the Siata 208S. Built by Carrozzeria Motto, the 208S was produced in small numbers; a total of 33 spyders were sold, and the majority were exported to the United States.

The 208S was powered by Fiat's alloy 70-degree Tipo 104 V8 engine that displaced two-liters. This was the engine that had been responsible for driving the Turinese manufacturer's premium Otto Vu Fiat sports car to competition victories across Europe. Approximately 200 examples of this V-8 engine were made, and when production ceased on the Otto Vu model at about 114 cars, most of the remaining motors were sent to Siata, who were a contractor in the Otto Vu's build process.

This spyder is one of six spyders with a 5-speed gearbox. It was delivered to the French gentleman racer Jean Terrail, who campaigned it in Europe until 1957. He also entered the car in the 1955 Concours d'Elegance d'Enghien, equipped with white wall tires and presented by French starlet Yannick Arvel. The car has not been seen in public since it was taken off the roads in the mid-1970s. The current owner has restored it.