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Another illustrious recipient of Fiat’s glorious two litre 8V engine, the 208S came from SIATA (Società Italiana Applicazioni Trasformazioni Automobilistiche), a company that had begun in 1926 producing speed equipment for Fiat automobiles. After the war, Siata was producing its own cars including the 208S which was introduced in 1953.

The 208S was available in both open and closed versions, it was used sophisticated engineering such as independent suspension, Fiat's 8V all-aluminum engine and a lightweight aluminum bodywork . Priced at $5300, just 35 examples were built.

There was much speculation on who provided the bodies for the 208 Spiders and many vintage magazines claimed Vignale or Bertone, but it was infact Motto who created the aluminum bodies for Siata.

Road & Track did a report on the 208S and called It a ‘Siata Spyder V-8’. It by Ernie McAfee who was the west coast Siata distributor. They achieved a 0-60 run of 12.4 seconds and the ¼ mile in 17.8 seconds. They also recorded a curb weight of 1960 lbs. The first thing they noticed “was the silky smoothness of the relatively small V-8 engine.” Furthermore, “Even using 6000 rpm as a limit on each gearm the engine does not seem over-stressed in any way and appeared able to continue such treatment indefinitely.”

Chassis & Sales

1953 Siata 208 S Spider BS 514 - sold for $1,567,500 Formerly the Property of Barry Silverman. One of Only 35 208 S Spiders Built. Delivered New to McAfee Motors in Los Angeles. Well-Documented Provenance. Rare Matching-Numbers Example. First in Class at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Completely Restored by Epifani Restorations. Exemplary Attention to Authenticity and Detail. Offered with FIVA Papers, Tools and Restoration Invoices. One of the Finest Examples in Existence.
Gallery: 2011 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company

1953 Siata 208S Spyder BS523 - sold for $946,000 Formerly owned by Steve McQueen. Legendary “8V” power with rare, attractive and desirable spyder coachwork. Multiple concours awards; shown at The Quail, twice at Pebble Beach and part of an extended exhibit at Petersen Museum. In excellent condition, a superb event entry, eligible for the Mille Miglia.
Gallery: 2011 Monterey Auction by RM

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