1953 Siata 208CS

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 specializing 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.

Siata's association with Fiat dates to 1926 when Giorgio Ambrosini's firm became the first to specialize in overhead-valve conversions, aftermarket components, and speed tuning services. In 1950, Siata launched the Daina series, the first chassis developed in-house. This was quickly followed by the Farina-bodied Gran Sport and the 750 Spider.

In the early 1950s, Fiat introduced their 8V as a limited-production high-end sports car powered by a compact, all-alloy V8 engine. The chassis had been designed specifically for the 'Otto Vu' Fiat 2-liter V8 engine but could house other V8s. Only one engine - a Chrysler powerplant - would replace the 70-degree Fiat V8 engine. The Fiat unit was fitted with two Weber carburetors and was capable of producing 110 horsepower. With triple Weber carburetors, the power rose even further. There were aluminum drum brakes and an independent suspension at all four corners.

The 208 CS Coupe used a lightweight, oval-tube chassis similar in design to the prototypes that had been manufactured for the Fiat factory. The 8V engine received a five-speed gearbox, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes provided the stopping power, and the suspension was an independent-wishbone setup with coil springs. The first six examples were clothed by Stabilimenti Farina featuring retractable headlamps, a low stance, and a competition-oriented cockpit. Approximately nine examples of the fifteen (as many as eighteen) total 208 CS models were bodied by Balbo. Stabilimenti Farina closed unexpectantly near the end of 1952, so nearby Carrozzeria Successori Balbo took over the production of the coupes. The Balbo-bodied coupes wore eggcrate grilles and their overall proportions were slightly revised.

The Siata 208 CS made its debut in 1952 at the Torino Motor Show and were soon entered into prominent road races of the era such as the Mille Miglia, Giro di Sicilia, and Tour de France Automobile, along with sprints, hill climbs, and rallies. They were later granted homologation in the Sport Commerciale class.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2009