1954 Siata 208 CS 8V Coachwork by Bertone designed Giovanni Michelotti.

The Italian company used their intimate knowledge of Fiat’s products to launch the first Siata badged, Fiat based car in 1948

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The introduction of the Fiat 8V in 1952 sparked the development the first Siata chassis. Constructed of tubular members, the new chassis was not designed exclusively for the ‘Otto Vu’. While the chassis was brand new, much of the running gear was retrieved form the Fiat parts bin. The suspension was independent all-round by unequal length arms. Large aluminum drum brakes provided the stopping power.

The new Siata used Fiat’s somewhat unusual 70 degree V8 engine. In stock trim the two liter OHV engine produced just over 100 bhp, and with Siata’s hotter camshaft and triple Weber Carburetors, the power could be boosted to 140 bhp.

The Siata 208 was launched to much critical acclaim late in 1952. The journalists had nothing but praise for the fine handling and good looking Italian thoroughbred. Californian car dealer and road racer Ernie McAfee placed an order for a large number of Spiders and it is quite possible that all Motto Spiders went the the United States. However much everybody liked the little Siata, its high price drove customers away to the much cheaper MGs, Jaguars or Porsches. McAfee struggled to find buyers for the cars and some were sold as late as 1956. Like the Fiat 8V, the nimble Siata is still well loved today and good examples are rare to find and very expensive.