Siata – 208S (1953)

The little manufacturer Siata, short for Società Italiana Auto Trasformazione Accessori, created a legend with the models in the 208 series. Established in Turin in 1926, the company generally carried out professional tuning for Fiat, but Siata created the Type 208 as an independent model. The  utomaker used the fantastic power plant of the Fiat 8V while the bodies were often produced by one of the many metal couturiers in the automobile metropolis. Coachbuilder Carrozzeria Motto was responsible for this body in aluminium, but the design with the exceptionally charming contours was penned by the great stylist Giovanni Michelotti.

As a new car, this Siata 208S was equipped with the rare five-speed gearbox, one of only 33 examples built, before being shipped directly to a customer in Ohio (United States). He and other owners lined up on the grid in numerous races, which led to a dazzling series of successes and championships. Back in Europe, this 208S is making its first appearance at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este after a ground-up restoration.