1952 SIATA 300BC BARCHETTA BERTONE

Lot 26
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Estimation :
180000 - 220000 EUR
1952 SIATA 300BC BARCHETTA BERTONE
° French historic registration title Chassis n°ST*421*BC Only 40 examples built Eligible for the most beautiful historical events such as the Mille Miglia Emblematic barchetta of the 1950’s Very powerful Crosley engine, just rebuilt Charming sports and racing car S.I.A.T.A – Società Italiana Applicazioni Techniche Auto-Aviatorie – was founded in 1926 by an amateur racing driver named Giorgio Ambrosini. After World War II, Siata received substantial financial support from Fiat and became one of the top independent manu - facturers, launching a succession of landmark roadsters and sports coupes. Siata unveiled the 300 BC Sport Spider at the 1952 Geneva Motor Show. Designed by Mario Revelli de Beaumont (a transfer from Pininfarina) and built by Bertone, the 300 BC was primarily aimed at American sports car enthusiasts who were fond of lightweight, high-performance Italian roadsters. The car was mainly available with the Crosley 750cc engine or the widespread Fiat 1.100cc. Very versatile, it had great success in competition, where its Stanguellini brakes with large diameter fins could make the difference! The history of the Crosley 750 engine is fascinating. Originally born to support the war effort, this small, sturdy OHC 4-cylinder (with its five-bearing crankshaft and countershaft timing control) began its career in a laborious way, serving as an auxiliary engine in the navy, aviation, firefighting and even as a starter for tanks. In 1949, the design evolved by using a cast iron block, which allowed for higher performance, and turned this workhorse into a real racehorse! From then on, the Crosley 750 in-line 4-cylinder engine would be capable of more than 10,000 rpm and, despite a modest displacement of 721cc, would propel the light Siata to more than 150 km/h, enabling it to win countless victories on both sides of the Atlantic. The 300 BC is not only a charming little barchetta, it is also a car that knows how to perform - very - well in its class... It is also very rare, as only about forty 300 BC Sport Spiders were built by Bertone, while ten were later bodied by Motto. The S.I.A.T.A we present is the 21st produced by Bertone. Known to have raced in the United States (it was entered in SCCA races, notably at Cumberland in 1956), it was extensively restored in the 1990s before being imported into Europe. The next owner, who is Italian, describes this 300 BC as “having benefited from a perfectly executed restoration, respecting the originality and integrity of the car”. Today, this 300 BC is offered with a French registration, with its rebuilt Crosley 750 engine, to be run in, as well as three Crosley 750 engines in parts and a kit allowing to prepare the Crosley 750 for racing (notably a special intake pipe). This adorable Siata, eligible for events as diverse and popular as the Mille Miglia and the Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance, was often referred to as the Baby Ferrari, because of its resemblance to the Cavallino Rampante 166. A nickname far from being usurped...
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