Fiat-Powered: 1968 Siata Spring
Siata was a very interesting company and they made some absolutely gorgeous cars, such as this one. They also made some… interesting-looking cars such as this 1968 Siata Spring. Don’t get me wrong, I think they’re great and this car would draw a crowd for sure. The seller has this one posted here on craigslist in the San Pedro area of Los Angeles, California and they’re asking $10,900. Thanks to Pat L. for sending in this tip!
We’ve seen a few Siata Springs (that sounds like a spa) here on Barn Finds in the past and they’re really interesting. They almost look like a kit car with off-the-shelf parts assembled into what you see here, but they aren’t. Siata – Società Italiana Auto Trasformazioni Accessori – was started by a race car driver in 1926 with headquarters in Turin, Italy.
The company started off by selling performance parts for Fiats and it wasn’t until after WWII, in 1948, that they came out with their first model. They made beautiful cars that were graceful and stylized, sort of like the Porsche roadster (assuming a replica?) parked next to this particular Siata Spring. I like the chunky look of the Siata Spring and the seller says that people take selfies next to this car all the time.
The condition of this car appears to be really nice other than some surface rust on the chrome, especially the grille, which is also dented. They were two-seaters with a little storage space behind the seats. The Spring was made starting in 1967 for the 1968 model year and they were the company’s last effort, unfortunately. The last one was made in 1975.
Unfortunately, there are no engine photos but the Siata Spring was based on the Fiat 850 and therefore this one should have a Fiat 843 cc inline-four with 36 horsepower. It’s located in the rear of the car and the seller has provided a video here on YouTube. As a general reference, Hagerty is at $7,100 for a #3 good condition car which is quite a bit lower than the seller’s asking price. Have any of you owned or driven a Siata Spring?
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Comments
I remember as a child seeing these in the local Fiat / Alfa dealership. Never got the chance to ride in one, though.
Kinda cool in it’s own way- has a bit of a Jeepster vibe going on.
I had a mechanically similar Fiat 850. My local dealer had a Siata Spring on the showroom for well over a year. I don’t think they wanted to store it outside because the chrome was very poor, and the side curtain weather “protection” was lacking.
I knew of one which was parked outside in Central Ohio and soon disintegrated. The plated items rusted and the interior turned to crud. These always reminded me of a plastic MGTD “replica” with VW power. What’s the point?
Except for the photo of the rear of this car, the angles the photographer chose for his ad really flatter this car. Having seen one up close in the 80s in somebody’s yard, I remember these cars as being a bit boxy while the MGs that inspired them were all delicate curves.
I always thought that the rear could have benefited from larger tail lights, not something you can say about most cars.
I guess this could be a fun little car, in it’s own offbeat way. Unfortunately, there are just too many better options to spend $10K on.
Unfortunately typical italian workmanship and quality. The pitiful condition of the grill reminds me of my 1974 Alfa Romeo 2000 Berlina, in 1975. Nuff said.
Having once owned an 850 convertible for a short time, the mechanicals alone would make me pass. I spent a moderate amount of dough on mine, but never could make it reliable or not overheat in Texas. Also, it had less power than a typical beetle of that period.
basicly made for the 100 mi surrounding the factory (met climate just like So Cal). Where else, Y else? Mom had two, three 850 spyders, that’s the ticket !
One of the worst cars ever made.