Pint sized Beast in RoadRacing
1953 Siata Moto Competition Spyder powered by Fiat's 8V (V-8) 2 liter engine (they thought Ford had a copyright on V-8) Successful in racing, but not in the market-place, only 114 were produced, but though production ceased in 1954, they continued to win the Italian 2-litre GT championship every year until 1959.
Siata (Società Italiana Auto Trasformazioni Accessori in English Italian Car Transformation Accessories Company) was an Italian car tuning shop and manufacturer, Siata initially sold performance parts to modify and tune cars manufactured by Fiat. After World War II, the company began making its own sports cars under the Siata brand until its eventual bankruptcy following the first Arab oil embargo in the mid-1970s.
Siata introduced the 208S in 1953 featuring Fiat's 2.0 liter 8V engine. 35 cars were produced between 1953 and 1955 priced at 5300 dollars and available in both convertible and hard top. The car rose to prominence after actor and race car driver Steve McQueen purchased model BS523 from Los Angeles-based Siata importer Ernie McAfee in the mid-1950s.
This car was used by Road and Track as a test vehicle, and they were very impressed. It also raced in 14 different major races including the Carrera Panamericana race, and has been restored to match it's condition in that race.
Pint sized Beast in RoadRacing
1953 Siata Moto Competition Spyder powered by Fiat's 8V (V-8) 2 liter engine (they thought Ford had a copyright on V-8) Successful in racing, but not in the market-place, only 114 were produced, but though production ceased in 1954, they continued to win the Italian 2-litre GT championship every year until 1959.
Siata (Società Italiana Auto Trasformazioni Accessori in English Italian Car Transformation Accessories Company) was an Italian car tuning shop and manufacturer, Siata initially sold performance parts to modify and tune cars manufactured by Fiat. After World War II, the company began making its own sports cars under the Siata brand until its eventual bankruptcy following the first Arab oil embargo in the mid-1970s.
Siata introduced the 208S in 1953 featuring Fiat's 2.0 liter 8V engine. 35 cars were produced between 1953 and 1955 priced at 5300 dollars and available in both convertible and hard top. The car rose to prominence after actor and race car driver Steve McQueen purchased model BS523 from Los Angeles-based Siata importer Ernie McAfee in the mid-1950s.
This car was used by Road and Track as a test vehicle, and they were very impressed. It also raced in 14 different major races including the Carrera Panamericana race, and has been restored to match it's condition in that race.