Siata
CS 0217
Body 9755
VIN SL0217
Mileage 18,700

You will thoroughly enjoy this Italian, Pininfarina designed, hand built masterpiece.  This classic SIATA is priced at a fraction of other contemporary hand crafted performance automobiles.

Historically Significant

SIATA has a long history.  It began in 1926 by Giorgio Ambrosini.  His company was called Societa Italiana Auto Transformazioni.  SIATA began manufacturing tuning accessories for Fiat automobiles. 

The first SIATA car, the Amica was produced in 1939. During the war they produced military equipment, after a very sucessful auxiliary bicycle motor and performance accessories. In 1949 SIATA released the new Amica followed by the Daina and competition cars. In 1951 the BC BARCHETTA sport spider, and in 1952 a two seat coupe, the DAINA sport, and the GRAN SPORT Barchetta were introduced.

SIATA cars ran in the Mille Miglia, sports car races in Europe and the United States .  For their size, they gave the larger cars fits on the track.  The SIATA handling is superb.  They are fast and nimble.

Here is the big reason you want this SIATA

The body.  Wow, the body.  Frankly, I wanted a Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta because it has the most beautiful Italian body lines ever drawn.  But I was short just a few million dollars.  This 1953 SIATA Daina Gran Sport has the same beautifully hand crafted lines, the same impeccable style, the same classic 1950’s Italian look, the same Pininfarina hand crafted perfection.  The SIATA is a tiny fraction of the cost of the 166 MM.  That is why it is truly a bargain.  That is the main reason I bought it.

From any angle, any point of view, this classic Pininfarina crafted spyder is stunning! 

I bought this car sight unseen from Chris Smith – a well known Florida restoration specialist.  So, how nervous was I when the enclosed transport pulled up to my house?  I sure was.  But when this SIATA rolled out I thought, “Oh my gosh, this is better, much better, than I expected!”

The other reasons I bought this car.  See if you don’t agree-

• Extremely rare – only about thirty of this early type Daina Gran Sport were made
• The design is the culmination of 1950’s Italian Styling
• Individually and painstakingly hand crafted one at a time – even the grill has its individual identification number etched on the inside
• Easy running RML built Alfa Romeo 1750cc DOHC engine with dual Weber DCOE carbs
• Alfa 5 speed gear box
• Painstakingly correct restoration by Chris Smith
• Coach built Italian classics from the 1950’s are extremely rare and are highly significant
• Original Alfin aluminum brake drums
• Basically an “unmessed with” Italian Classic
• The gauges in the car are really cool – they are irreplaceable
• The leather and wool carpet interior is show quality
• The car was taken down to rust free body prior to a show quality paint job being applied
• The chassis is also rust free

Pure Automotive art – and recognized for it

Chris Smith’s restoration business, “The Creative Workshop,” in Dania Beach, Florida , did a superlative restoration.  Chris told me this was his last restoration before he retired.  It appears Chris saved his best for last!  This SIATA is faithfully restored and is a piece of rolling art.

This Gran Sport was recognized as a truly beautiful work of art at Amelia Island , where it was shown in March, 2008.  Then, in July of 2008, Classic Motorsports magazine ran a four page feature article on this specific car.  The article shows a dozen pictures and details why this is such an important automobile.  Classic Motorsports honored this car again when they selected it as their ‘Miss February’ for their 2009 calendar.

From Howard B. to Chris Smith

It is interesting how Chris got the car.  It was owned by Howard B., a very well known Etceterini enthusiast.  You may have seen Howard’s cars at Amelia and at Monterey .  I have known Howard personally for quite a number of years.  He only has significant Italian cars in his collection.  Chris had a Stanguellini that Howard wanted and Chris wanted the Siata.  There was the trade.

You can show this car.  You can drive this car.  I did a bit of both.  It is a good fit for either venue.  What a great car for rally or a tour!

It is registered with John deBoer.  He is the keeper of all Etceterini ownership information.  I would encourage the buyer to let John know of your purchase.

I also encourage you to visit Cliff Reuter’s excellent site, Etceterini.com.  Click on Siata and enjoy! 

It has a custom tonneau cover that was made in Chris’ shop. 

The location

This SIATA is garaged in Williamsburg, Virginia .  Williamsburg is about halfway between Richmond, VA and Norfolk, VA.

Your inspection is invited.  Overseas transport assistance is available.

This car is offered as is where is.

The Price

It’s not easy to price this car.  When do they ever come up for sale?  I did see a very similar Siata Daina Gran Sport in the overseas press available in Europe a few months ago for about US$180,000.00.  It had a Ford V8 motor.  For a fairly well restored SIATA, that price seems fair.  But it cannot be any nicer than the one I am offering.

The better known SIATA, the 208S Spyder, can’t be touched for under a three quarters of a million dollars for a nicely restored example – one is currently on offer for US$875,000.00 at Fantasy Junction in California .  I have personally seen it there.  It is worth that price.

Some Siata models have sold for well over the million dollar mark.  One was Steve McQueen’s 208S at US$1.5 million and yes, a portion of the price was surely for the McQueen name.  But still, $1.5 mil. 

A SIATA Daina Gran Sport Coupe recently sold for $224,812.00 at the RM Auction in Monte Carlo.

This beautiful SIATA Daina Gran Sport is offered at a very low price of just US$125,000.   You can’t even come close to that for a hand crafted Pininfarina Barchetta from the 1950’s. 

Price reduced
Now only US $98,000

I’m Dennis Burkey.  I can be reached at 757-941-8040 or dburks@cox.net.