Siata Daina

Full aluminium, coachbuilt by Stabilimenti Farina. According to the register, worldwide only 7 examples are still known to survive. Very nicely restored.Obtained very coveted ASI Targa D'Oro & Fiat Heritage awards for the quality and originality of the restoration. Engine benefitted from a total rebuild + general Mille Migla preparation. Founded in 1926 in Turin, Italy by Giorgio Ambrosini, Siata (Societa Italiana Auto Trasformazioni Accessori) began life as a tuning firm specializing in the modification of FIATs. When the company, now renamed Siata Auto Spa, eventually introduced its first production car in 1949, Fiat components were the logical choice for the new Amica cabriolet. During the 1950s and on into the '60s a variety of US engines including Crosley, Ford and Chrysler V8s was adopted in addition to Fiat's home-grown motors. Siata's Daina model of the early 1950s was based on the Fiat 1400 and built in both Cabriolet and Coupé forms, most of the former being bodied by Stabilimenti Farina and the latter by Bertone. Later cars were designated 'SL' (Scatolato Lamiera – literally: sheet metal box). The Daina used the FIAT 1400 overhead-valve engine, modified by Siata with a special cylinder head, pistons and twin-carburettor inlet manifold. A 1,500cc unit was available as an option. Siata was active in racing from its earliest days, and a Daina Convertible driven by Dick Irish and Bob Fergus won its class in the inaugural Sebring 12 Hours race of 1952, finishing 3rd overall ahead of many larger-engined cars. This 1952 Siata Daina with chassis SL 0168 and with aluminium coachwork (except doors) by Stabilimenti Farina, was completely restored in 2005-2006 by a North-Italian specialist respecting rigorously the original specifications and colours in which this particular Trasformabile left the Siata factory.

span lang="EN-US"The aluminium body is absolutely straight, has perfect shut lines on doors, boot (opens sideways!) and bonnet. The Siata just looks stunning in this light fine-metallic green paint. As a result the car obtained the much coveted ASI Targa D’Oro(best possible Italian specification) certification. Also the Fiat Registro rewarded the quality of this Siata by issuing a Certificato in which the exceptional quality of the restoration is underlined. Inspecting this Siata on the ramps confirms the quality of the restoration because the underneath of the car is still very nice. Power comes from the Fiat 4-cylinder 1400 cc engine modified by Siata with a special cylinderhead, pistons and a twin carburettor (Weber 32) set-up producing a healthy 72 BHP. Due to the very low weight, the car is rather fast./span span lang="EN-US"As mentioned before, the Siata has received specific awards for it’s originality and we can say from an exterior point of view that the Siata deserves the awards. The aluminium and chrome parts are all extremely nice and very rare and desirable badges are all present on the body which is very unique. The shut lines are as described above exceptional nice. The chrome wheel caps are very nice as well and new tires etc. are fitted with the last service. /spanspan lang="EN-US"The interior of the Siata is very functional, elegant, and extremely beautiful. For example, the meters in the middle of the dashboard are very nicely designed and typical for the period. Other small useful but definitely also design details are the aluminium panels at the front opening of the door. The painted dashboard and Jaeger instruments are excellent and fully functional. The soft top is in excellent condition as well. On the road all this nice restoration and preparation work is immediately translated in a very healthy road behavior. The car gives a very solid feeling (no rattles whatsoever!), good punch from the engine with a sporty sound from the stainless steel exhaust. The car also has a smooth gear change and rather precise steering. Add to this almost perfect road behaviour, a stylish interior in beige leather, the complete full-functional beautiful dashboard, the smart cream steering wheel and knobs, + some nice typical Siata detailing and… suddenly you realize you are having a ride in some sort of Italian dolce vita heaven./span