1955 Siata 300BC Spyder

This 1955 Siata 300BC Barchetti Sport Spider is number 444 and is one of only 50 Siata 300 BCs produced.

Founded in 1926, S.I.A.T. Automobili (Societa Italiana Applicazioni Techniche Auto-aviatorie) was a small Italian car manufacturer that produced a wide variety of unusual and interesting vehicles. Before World War II, it was originally noted for its variations based on production Fiat running gear. For a time, SIATA actually functioned as the 'Experimental Department' for Fiat.

The SIATA 300 BC two-seat sports car was launched at the 1952 Geneva Salon, aimed at discerning U.S. sports car enthusiasts. It utilized a coach-built alloy body by Motto on a light gauge steel platform chassis wearing an assemblage of Fiat parts, including large-diameter, finned, Stanguellini brakes. The standard powerplant is based on a beefed-up block and numerous performance modifications done to Fiat's 1100cc 'Turismo Veloce' 4-cylinder engine. Equipped from the factory with twin carburetors, power is rated at 60 HP @ 5,200 RPM. To compete in 750cc and under racing classes, a 721cc four-cylinder Crosley engine sporting dual carburetors were made available on a small number of SIATA cars. Both were backed with a four-speed manual shift transmission.

This car is truly a small machine - almost toy-sized. The convertible model is only 128 inches in length and weighs in at a light 1080 pounds, allowing the realistic capability to exceed 100 mph. The little SIATA displayed excellent handling and maneuverability. The Crosley and Fiat engines were tuned to provide excellent performance and more than enough muscle, giving their small displacements, to make the featherweight SIATA a potent and competitive performer.

Only ten rare convertible examples of the SIATA 300 BC were ever produced - with only six known to exist currently.

This example is in the care of its fourth owner, and was rescued in 2022 as a 'barn find,' having been hidden away for 52 years in a long-term storage situation.