Description
Siata was founded in 1926 as a supplier of performance parts for Fiat models and began designing sports cars under its own marque in the late 1940s. The Gran Sport was introduced in 1952 and shared the modified Fiat 1400 underpinnings of Siata’s Daina coupe and convertible models that had entered production in 1950. Construction incorporated barchetta-style Farina coachwork over a steel box-section chassis, with early A-series examples distinguished by a more-forward engine placement than that of B-series…
Siata was founded in 1926 as a supplier of performance parts for Fiat models and began designing sports cars under its own marque in the late 1940s. The Gran Sport was introduced in 1952 and shared the modified Fiat 1400 underpinnings of Siata’s Daina coupe and convertible models that had entered production in 1950. Construction incorporated barchetta-style Farina coachwork over a steel box-section chassis, with early A-series examples distinguished by a more-forward engine placement than that of B-series cars.
This example is finished in red and underwent repairs to its nose section under de Boer’s ownership between 1977 and 1987 to correct damage reportedly incurred during transit to California. Images taken before and after the repairs are included in the photo gallery below, as are close-ups of the finish, trim, and lenses in their present state. Styling includes a hood scoop, a split windshield, doors absent of exterior handles, and an external fuel-filler cap.
Silver-painted steel wheels wear bright Siata-branded hubcaps and are mounted with 185/75R14 Tornel Classic whitewall tires. Hydraulic brakes incorporate aluminum finned drums at each corner and are said to have been refreshed under current ownership.
The cabin houses a pair of bucket seats trimmed in tan leather, while color-matched quilted upholstery covers the center tunnel, door panels, and rear bulkhead. Additional trim includes black rubber floor mats with tan binding, leather door pull straps, and a polished shift knob.
The split-wood-rimmed steering wheel sits ahead of a body-color dash housing a 150-km/h speedometer, an 8k-rpm tachometer, and a combination gauge monitoring fuel level and oil pressure. The speedometer and tachometer do not work. The five-digit odometer shows 38k miles, approximately 150 of which have been added under current ownership. True mileage is unknown.
The replacement 2.0-liter OHV inline-four was installed at some point under previous ownership in lieu of the model’s standard 1.4-liter powerplant and breathes through twin Weber carburetors. A refresh in 2022 is said to have included replacement of the head gasket and cylinder-liner gaskets as well as repair of the oil pump. Chassis number SL0211 is stamped on the engine block.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission with synchromesh on the top three gears. Fiat-derived suspension comprises a double-wishbone front setup with an anti-roll bar along with a solid rear axle located by three-leaf thrust springs and a transverse torsion bar. Coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers are utilized at each corner. Areas of corrosion on the underside can be viewed in the gallery below.
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