The 1953 Siata 208 CS Balbo: A Rare Beauty With Unmatched Appeal

Siata (Società Italiana Auto Transfromazioni Accessori) was founded in Turin in 1926, originally focusing on producing accessory and tuning parts. Over time, the company gained popularity for its collaborations with Fiat, creating special editions and tuning kits for various models.

The Birth of the Siata 208 CS

One of these collaborations led to the development of a new all-aluminium 2.0-litre V8 engine, designed initially for a Fiat sedan that was meant to break into the US market. While the sedan itself didn’t achieve commercial success, the engine’s potential was undeniable, eventually finding its way into Fiat’s 8V “Otto Vu” sports car. However, the 8V too struggled to attract buyers, leading Fiat to offer 50 of these V8 engines to Siata for use in their own designs.

Innovative Engineering and Design

Siata put these engines to good use, creating the 208 S (Spider) and 208 CS (Coupé) models. Both cars were technically advanced for their time, featuring a tubular ladder chassis construction and independent suspension all around. The 8V engine, with Siata’s modifications to the intake, camshaft, and carburettors, produced around 125bhp, powering the rear wheels through a five-speed transmission.

Working with some of Italy’s finest coachbuilders, Siata offered the 208 S barchetta, which featured hand-formed aluminium bodies from Michelotti and Carrozzeria Motto. The 208 CS berlinetta, on the other hand, received bodies first from Stabilimenti Farina and later from Carrozzeria Balbo. In total, approximately 53 units were sold, of which only 18 were 208 CS berlinetta coupés. Remarkably, just 11 of these were bodied by Carrozzeria Balbo, making them exceptionally rare.

A Racing Legacy

The Siata 208 CS (chassis CS071), that I pictured at the Concours of Elegance 2024, first found a home with American racer Robert Grier, who campaigned the car in competition alongside the legendary René Dreyfus. After its racing career, the car was sold to Russell G. Sceli and later entered the long-term ownership of Dr Julius Eisenstark.

Dr Eisenstark embarked on a multi-year transformation of the 1953 Siata 208 CS, turning it from a stripped-down racing machine into a slightly more civilised grand tourer (GT). The upgrades included the addition of interior upholstery, a heater with defrost, and extra engine cooling to enhance drivability.

A Pebble Beach Star

By 1990, the car was proudly displayed at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, under the care of Walter Eisenstark. Years later, in 2017, the Eisenstark family entrusted the car to Automotive Restorations Inc in Stratford, Connecticut, for restoration work. Unfortunately, during a test drive, the car was hit while stationary, causing significant damage.

Despite this setback, the decision was made to restore the car to its original, show-quality condition. In just a few months, the 1953 Siata 208 CS was beautifully restored to its former glory, complete with its original medium blue paint. Shortly after, in 2018, the car triumphed in its class at the Amelia Concours and later returned to Pebble Beach in 2022. Finally, after 64 years of single-family ownership, it was sold at auction to its current custodian.

Technical Specifications

Engine – 1996cc/V8/naturally aspirated/SOHC
Transmission – Five-speed manual, RWD
Power – 125bhp
Torque – 108lb ft
Top Speed – 125mph
0-60MPH – N/A
Weight – 990kg

What a beautiful, exquisite car, a work of art. Super cool in my mind. What do you think? This car really caught my attention and made it into my top 10 cars at the 2024 Concours of Elegance. Check out that top 10 here.