Chassis No. BS 520
Engine No. 104 000 000171

Founded in Turin by Giorgio Ambrosini in 1926, SIATA (Società Italiana Auto Trasformazioni Accessori) initially specialized in developing performance parts for Fiat before building its own low-volume sports cars after World War II. The firm's close relationship with Fiat proved pivotal when the automaker abandoned its plan for an American-market sedan, which had produced the lightweight, all-aluminum 2.0-liter Tipo 104 V8 “Otto Vu” engine and Tipo 106 chassis. When the project was shelved, Fiat repurposed the engineering into its 8V sports car, an advanced but slow-selling machine in the post-war economy, with only 114 produced.

For Siata, Fiat's decision to offer the surplus 8V engines created an extraordinary opportunity to use the advanced engine to power a car of their own design. The result was the 208 introduced in 1952; a compact, technically sophisticated sports car built around tubular ladder-frame construction and independent suspension at all four corners. Siata further sharpened the Otto Vu engine with revised heads, hotter cams, and a bespoke exhaust, pairing it with a five-speed gearbox for serious performance in a lightweight package. Soon after, the open 208S was introduced with Giovanni Michelotti styling and hand-formed aluminum coachwork by Carrozzeria Motto. The exquisite, minimalist Spider with its balance of power, chassis sophistication, and low mass made it a formidable “giant killer” in 2.0-liter competition—securing third in class at the 1952 Mille Miglia and winning its class at the 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Total production amounted to only 53 examples of the 208, with just 35 of those being Spiders (33 built by Motto with two prototypes by Bertone). The particular Motto-built Spider presented here, chassis BS 520, lived a fascinating early life during the golden age of American sports car racing, beginning with its acquisition by two of California's most prominent figures in the burgeoning import racing scene, Ernie McAfee and his associate William “Bill” Doheny. McAfee, who owned an O.S.C.A. dealership on Sunset Boulevard and imported over two dozen Siatas to America, retained the Spider for a number of years before selling it to Motor Imports of Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1956.

In Hawaiian hands, the Siata quickly proved its mettle, with the accompanying massive history file crediting chassis BS 520 with an E Production class victory in the hands of Dan Hogan at the First Annual Hawaiian International Sports Car Week in 1957—commemorated by a trophy, which is included in the sale. This triumph was reportedly witnessed by local Calvin Ching, who was so captivated by Hogan's performance that he immediately acquired the car, beginning a remarkable period of island competition that would span the early 1960s. This competitive chapter of the Siata's early history is remarkably preserved, as the car is accompanied by numerous period photographs and a group of original competitor plaques from meetings around Kahuku. Dated from 1961 to 1964, the plaques record the car's spirited competition career at venues including Kahuku Air Strip and various ASCCH-sanctioned events. The Siata is also documented with copies of multiple registrations from the period, issued in the names of Calvin Ching and H.G. Woodward.

As is so often the case with active competition cars, practicality eventually trumped originality. During its early-60s Hawaiian career, an Oldsmobile F-85 V8 replaced the original Fiat “Otto Vu” engine. After retiring from competition in 1964, BS 520 remained stored away under Ching's devoted care until the spring of 1988, after which it joined Glen and Patricia Hougland Kalil in Hawaii. The Siata was later relocated to Stuart, Florida, where it was acquired by collector Creighton Helms in 2001. Correspondence on file from Helms' ownership records his efforts to locate components as he began sorting the car, including the fitment of a Ford V8 crate engine.

In December 2004, the Siata was acquired from Helms by its current owner, a lifelong Southern California sports car enthusiast, who commissioned a restoration aimed at returning BS 520 to its original factory specifications. What followed was a meticulous, multi-year rotisserie restoration, with the current owner assembling a dream team of Southern California's most respected Italian car specialists to execute the work. The period-correct Fiat Tipo 104 all-aluminum 2.0-liter V8 engine was sourced from the estate of Barry Silverman in Santa Barbara, equipped with twin Weber 40 DCZ carburetors and completely overhauled by Engine Machine Service in Los Angeles, a renowned Otto Vu rebuilder. Drivability was enhanced with an Alfa Romeo five-speed manual transmission fitted with a close-ratio gearset, while the clutch was refreshed in 2019 with a rebuilt pressure plate and new friction disc. The rear end and suspension were also completely rebuilt during the restoration, matching the drivetrain to a planted chassis for confident touring.

The brilliant red paintwork was executed following careful metal repairs, with frame refurbishment handled by Ryals Restoration in Santa Clarita using original Siata chassis drawings. The interior received equal attention, with a complete re-trim by Tony D'Alessandro of D'Alessandro Designs in Culver City. The cabin now features the original fixed-back bucket seat frames restored and upholstered in rich brown leather with contrasting tan piping, complemented by matching door pockets, pull straps, shift boot, and a black convertible top with a restored frame. Final sorting and tuning were entrusted to Bob Mosier of Inglewood, a legendary name in classic car restoration circles, known for three Best-of-Show Pebble Beach victories and considered one of the most respected figures in concours-level restoration work. The restoration work is diligently documented both by receipts and many photographs, showing the high level of craftsmanship and, importantly, how original the bodywork and chassis have been kept.

Just as important as its exquisite presentation, BS 520 is accompanied by extraordinary documentation that sets it apart from virtually any comparable Italian sports car of the era. Multiple binders contain comprehensive invoices from the restoration, period photographs showing the car in its island competition days, restoration progress images, period brochures, and the aforementioned collection of racing plaques from the 1960s. Also included is Dan Hogan's winning trophy from the 1957 Hawaiian International Sports Car Week, an extra windscreen, side curtains, and a selection of framed photographs and chassis diagrams. Since its restoration, the Siata has been carefully maintained in current ownership by the consignor's in-house mechanic, ensuring its exceptional mechanical condition.

Today, chassis BS 520 is offered as one of the finest examples of Michelotti and Motto's elegant Spider design, combining competition history, four decades of common ownership, and a no-expense-spared restoration to original factory specification. Eligible for the world's most exclusive driving events including the Mille Miglia Storica and Colorado Grand, this Siata 208S by Motto offers the next caretaker the chance to own one of the best-engineered, best-handling, and most beautiful Italian spiders of the era, complete with an unbroken chain of ownership and documentation that few cars can rival.