Rolling Elegance - In a world where automotive icons often emerge from fierce competition and technological leaps, it's the quiet artistry of bespoke craftsmanship that occasionally takes center stage. One such masterpiece is the 1953 Siata 208 CS Coupé by Vignale, a vehicle that merges precision engineering with expressive design. This rare Italian coupe isn’t just a car—it’s a symbol of an era when elegance and performance met in the hands of true artisans. Long overshadowed by more prominent marques, the Siata 208 CS Vignale now stands as a rediscovered gem, drawing the admiration of connoisseurs who appreciate not just speed, but soul.
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| The 1953 Siata 208 CS Coupé by Vignale is a symbol of an era when elegance and performance met in the hands of true artisans. (Picture from: Retromania4Ever on X) |
To fully appreciate the allure of this unique grand tourer, it helps to understand the origins of its maker.
Siata—short for
Società Italiana Applicazioni Trasformazioni Automobilistiche—was born from a passion for innovation. Originally dedicated to creating performance parts for
Fiat in the post-war years,
Siata gradually evolved into a boutique automaker.
By the early 1950s, the company took a bold step forward, engineering its own cars based on the underpinnings of
Fiat’s advanced 8V (Otto Vu) engine. This engine,
introduced by Fiat in 1952, served as a springboard for
Siata’s ambitious 208 CS platform.
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| The 1953 Siata 208 CS Coupé by Vignale based on the underpinnings of Fiat’s advanced 8V (Otto Vu) engine, delivered as a singular creation that would elevate the Siata 208 CS into the realm of art. (Picture from: UltimateCarPage) |
Unlike typical Fiat-based specials, the
Siata 208 CS boasted its own chassis design, cleverly crafted to accommodate a range of high-performance powerplants—including
Chrysler V8s in some unique builds. However,
most 208 CS models retained Fiat’s signature mechanicals. These coupes were nimble, compact, and visually striking, often customized by Italy’s top coachbuilders. Among them,
Carrozzeria Vignale delivered a singular creation that would elevate the
Siata 208 CS into the realm of art.
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| The 1953 Siata 208 CS Coupé by Vignale with its elongated 2700 mm wheelbase, it conveyed a more stately grand touring presence, diverging from the tighter, sportier proportions of its siblings. (Picture from: UltimateCarPage) |
Penned by
the legendary designer Giovanni Michelotti, the
1953 Siata 208 CS Coupé by Vignale—
chassis number CS070—was unlike any other.
With its elongated 2700 mm wheelbase, it conveyed a more stately grand touring presence, diverging from the tighter, sportier proportions of its siblings. Its bodywork drew inspiration from the sleek forms of
Ferrari’s 212 and
250 Europa “Geneva Coupes,” with flowing lines, sculpted details, and a pronounced front grille that hinted at both elegance and aggression. The design wasn't just aesthetic—it told a story of innovation, collaboration, and style.
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| The cabin of the Siata 208 CS Coupé by Vignale offers a uniquely refined driving experience, featuring tan upholstery, a classic three-spoke steering wheel, and a clean, minimalist dashboard. (Picture from: UltimateCarPage) |
This particular car began its journey on December 31, 1952, when its engine, CS040, was delivered to Siata. Less than a year later, the car debuted at the 1953 Paris Salon de l’Automobile, turning heads with its Vignale-crafted body. It was shown again in Geneva in 1954, before being sold through Siata’s official agent in Rome. Registered on June 7, 1955, under “Roma 225576,” its first owner was a Roman pharmaceutical firm—an early hint at the car’s appeal to sophisticated buyers.
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| The Siata 208 CS Coupé by Vignale is powered by a 1,996 cc 70-degree V8 engine, producing 105 hp at 5,600 rpm and delivering a top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph) in standard form. (Picture from: UltimateCarPage) |
By 1960, the car had crossed the Atlantic to the United States, purchased by Larry Reed, a well-known sports car dealer in Los Angeles. Reflecting the era’s obsession with American horsepower, the car was modified with a 270-horsepower Corvette engine and a close-ratio three-speed gearbox. It was even advertised in Road & Track in 1963 as a “Gran Turismo 4-pass coupe,” capturing the imagination of West Coast enthusiasts.
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| The 1953 Siata 208 CS Coupé by Vignale bodywork drew inspiration from the sleek forms of Ferrari’s 212 and 250 Europa “Geneva Coupes,” with flowing lines, sculpted details, and a pronounced front grille that hinted at both elegance and aggression. (Picture from: Retromania4Ever on X) |
Despite its temporary departure from originality, the story of this Siata came full circle decades later. In
2013, a passionate new owner launched a painstaking restoration, working with renowned historian
John de Boer to locate
its original Otto Vu engine and gearbox. The team at Brian
Hoyt’s Perfect Reflections and
Epifani Restorations—both experts in reviving Italian exotics—meticulously returned the car to its factory specifications, preserving the
Vignale body while reinstating its true mechanical soul.
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| The 1953 Siata 208 CS Coupé by Vignale retoration completed in 2024, marked the rebirth of a car that had once blended into the backdrop of automotive history. (Picture from: UltimateCarPage) |
That restoration,
completed in 2024, marked the rebirth of a car that had once blended into the backdrop of automotive history.
Its only public appearance since has been at The Quail, A
Motorsports Gathering, where its elegance and authenticity drew well-deserved acclaim. Finally, in
2025, the
Vignale Coupé was consigned to
the prestigious Gooding Amelia Island auctions—its first-ever appearance on the auction block, and a moment long awaited by collectors.
The
Siata 208 CS Coupé by Vignale is far more than just a vintage automobile. It represents a golden era when master coachbuilders like
Vignale and visionary designers like
Michelotti turned metal and mechanics into rolling works of art. With its rarity, fascinating history, and meticulous restoration, this one-of-a-kind
Siata stands among the finest expressions of postwar Italian automotive design. For those who appreciate character and craftsmanship over convention, it isn’t simply a classic—it’s the hidden gem that quietly captured the spotlight.
Curious about other Siata 208 CS models crafted by different coachbuilders? Discover them here.
*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | ULTIMATECARPAGE | GOODINGCO | RETROMANIA4EVER ON X | FACEBOOK ]Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
