1953 Siata 300BC

Roadster by Bertone
Chassis number: ST 418 BC
Engine number: ST 418 BC

Giorgio Ambrosini founded Societa Italiana Auto Transformazioni Accessori, or SIATA, in 1926. Most of their early work was based on the manufacture and fitting of performance components to racing automobiles. With much success, they later became a de facto motorsports outlet for Fiat, which officially abstained from racing activities for many years but provided racing customers with access to Siata-modified Fiats for competition use.

When World War II came to a close, Siata was given substantial financial assistance in reconstruction from Fiat, which helped make them one of the better-staffed independent builders. In 1948, they officially became an independent manufacturer with the introduction of the Amica. A succession of roadsters and coupes soon followed.

The Siata automobiles offered tremendous performance at a relatively bargain price. When New York-based dealer Antonio Pompeo commissioned a run of spiders that were built on the Amica platform and based on Otto Linton's race-winning one-off Orchidea Spider prototype, the brand's popularity and success was taken to new levels. Pompeo equipped his barchettas with the proven Crosley inline four-cylinder engine.

The Siata 300 BC Barchetta entered production in 1951 and was nearly exclusively distributed to the United States. The Barchetta bodywork was penned by Mario Revelli de Beaumont and built by Bertone. Approximately 40 examples were produced.

Some of the earlier examples were given the 750 cubic centimeter Crosley engine. Later examples were often powered by a specially tuned Fiat 1100 motor, putting them on par as the four-cylinder Ferraris.

This particular example is the 18th of approximately 40 examples that were bodied by Bertone. It was originally owned by Bob McNeal, and was occasionally raced by Ron Hunter. In 1961, it was sold to Ken Johnson, who retained the car until March 1985, when it was purchased by Dr. John Kimball, of Denver, Colorado. Dr. Kimball commissioned a restoration in preparation for historic racing. The paint finished was changed from British Racing Green to the current Rosso.

The current owner acquired the car in 1988. It is currently fitted with a 1100-cubic centimeter Fiat motor that was stamped with the same number as the chassis (it could be the original engine). The car also has a Crosley engine, which may also be the car's original owner.

The car has minimal gauges, Nardi wood-rimmed steering wheel, racing windscreen, and knock-off wire wheels.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster by Bertone
Chassis number: ST 438 BC
Engine number: ST 438 BC

The Siata 300 BC entered production in 1951 and was designed for both the American market and SCCA competition. The barchetta coachwork was designed by Mario Revelli de Beaumont, and just forty examples were built with Bertone coachwork. The early examples were powered by a 750 cubic-centimeter motor from Crosley while later cars were given a 1100cc Fiat engine. Allegedly, some examples were delivered without drivetrains.

This example was the 38th 300 BC produced. It was originally powered by a Fiat 1100cc inline-four-cylinder engine, which is currently installed in the car. It was built in 1953 and then imported to New York and purchased by Antonio Pompeo of New York City. Pompeo sold the car to its current owner in 1956. During the late 1950s, it was campaigned at a few events, including at hillclimbs. The car even competed in ice races during the winter months on Lake Naomi in Pocono Pines, Pennsylvania, where it saw considerable success. To improve the car's performance, the engine was given higher compression pistons and an upgraded camshaft.

In 1989, the car was finally road-registered. By that point in history, it was largely kept in static storage. The car has never been fully restored, but it has received a repaint in its original color. The original seats have been refurbished, and new carpet has been installed. The fuel-delivery system and fuel tank have been reconditioned.

The Fiat overhead valve four-cylinder engine is fitted with dual Weber carburetors and offers an estimated 51 horsepower. There is a four-speed transmission along with four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster by Bertone

John Bentley (a well-respected automotive journalist) put it best when he said 'The Siata 300BC is a simple, conventional, attractive, machine of modest weight and fairly brisk performance. It is responsive, tractable and viceless, yet because of its enormous margin of mechanical strength, eminently suited to racing'

Siata (short for Societa Italiana Auto Trasformazione Acessori) was created in the 1920's. Their primary business was manufacturing performance parts for Fiats. The logical next step was building Fiat powered race cars. Tony Pompeo is credited with the development of a light weight version of the Amica chassis. This was placed under Bertone coachwork to complete the example shown.

Roadster by Bertone
Chassis number: ST435BC

Siata introduced the 300BC, built purely for the American market, in 1951. The Barchetta bodywork was designed by Mario Revelli de Beaumont and built by Nuccio Bertone and Rocco Motto. The little sports cars featured either a 750cc Crosley or 1100cc Fiat engine, and due to its great handling, it easily competed with larger-engined Porsches, OSCAs, and MGs.

This barchetta was nicknamed 'Little Old 77' by its first owner, journalist and amateur race driver John Bentley. He raced the car for the 1954 season, starting with the 12 Hours of Sebring and ending with the Mount Washington Hillclimb. The car was then sold to Tony Pompeo, who continued to race it in 1955. Six more owners raced the Siata all over North America throughout the 1960s. Its current owner bought the car in 2011.

Founded by Georgio Ambrosini, the Siata company; or 'Societa Italiana Applicazioni Trasformazioni Accessori' was established in Turin in 1926. Their purpose was to manufacture tuning accessories for Italian vehicles. They manufactured such accessories as cylinder heads with overhead valves along with superchargers. In 1961 Siata became Siata Auto SpA. Siata began to produce vehicles based on Fiats during the 60's and 70's.

The 300 BC Barchetti Sport Spider was introduced in 1952. The design was created by Mario Revelli de Beatmont and the body was built by Stabilimenti Farini and Nuccio Bertone. Powered by a 724 cc Crosley engine, and it used the same V8 from the Fiat 8V. Only a total of 40 examples were ever produced. A GT saloon and a spider version were also built.

The 300 BC was a two-seat convertible vehicle with 1100 cc and an 843cc engine taken from the Fiat 850 with 36 bhp. The BC could achieve a maximum speed of 125 km/h, had a wheelbase of 2027mm and a weight of 720kg.

To remain under the size requirement from emission control equipment, the engine was reduced in size in 1969 to 817cc. New features were added to the Siata 300 BC that included locks, seatbelts and new seats with headrests. Updates were also made to the windscreen, brakes, rear lights, dashboard, and instruments.

by Jessican Donaldson