Model Guides (Chassis Histories)

1953 Siata 208S (Chassis #BS520)

Mark Brinker

There is no hidden racecar in this story, but there are four treasures, one mechanical and three human. I love this one.

The mechanical treasure of this month’s installment is the 1953 Siata 208S (#BS520). Painted in a lovely shade of white, BS520 was the E-Production Class Winner at the First Annual Hawaiian International Sports Car Week on April 20, 1957. At the time, the car was owned by the recently formed Motor Imports of Honolulu, and the driving duties had been turned over to a young but talented West Coast SCCA racer. Sometime after the race, Calvin Ching arrived at Motor Imports and asked to speak with the winning driver. The two went for a test drive and Ching was understandably awestruck by the 208S.

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