Car in excellent condition, certified by ASI and FIVA, with numerous participations in the reenactment of the Historic 1000 Miglia.
The SIATA Daina we are proposing is chassis number SL0185, created as a unique specimen. The car was produced during the early months of 1952 as a special order from SIATA's Commercial Director, Engineer Luigi Segre. Luigi Segre, in agreement with SIATA's management, deemed it appropriate for the official presence of the SIATA car at the 1952 Mille Miglia, with an additional vehicle besides the two Daina GS already registered. This was to confirm the competitive capabilities of the new Daina Gran Sport model and to showcase the versatility of the chassis, which could also serve as the base for special sports bodies. Therefore, the automobile with an aluminum body was personally commissioned to the coachbuilder Rocco Motto in Turin to participate in the Mille Miglia. Motto constructed an aluminum "barchetta" body: thus was born this SL0185, very well proportioned and with a balanced shape, besides being very lightweight.
However, Luigi Segre was about to move to Ghia, and relations within SIATA became tense. The SL0185 was completed and delivered to Segre, who, upon resigning, left it with SIATA: the participation program in the Mille Miglia faded, and the life of the SL0185 took a different path. 1952 marked SIATA's initial breakthrough in the United States. Here, Ambrosini, SIATA's general manager, met Tony Pompeo, an importer of Italian cars, and defined a series of commercial agreements with him. The SL0185 was shipped to the United States. It's unknown who raced it, but it had an intense sporting life, as evidenced by numerous racing "scars" that appeared when it was found. The car, at the time of its discovery, was extensively studied and identified as chassis number SL0185, later recognized by Fiva and ASI. Bridgehampton, Thompson, and Cumberland are just a few of the circuits where the car raced until 1964 when the vehicle had an accident damaging the front, leading to the decision to retire the SL0185. A sports car dealer, during a visit to the Zobian collection, saw the SL0185 in a state of neglect. He proposed a trade for a Cisitalia 202 Pinin Farina. The exchange occurred, but the SL0185 remained in California for a long time. Another treasure hunter took some photos of the SL0185 and sent them in 2000 to Gilberto Focardi, an Italian collector. This way, the SL0185 returned to Italy, and its restoration began. The SL0185 underwent its final and most important restoration, complete in all its parts. The fact that it had never been disassembled before made it clearly identifiable. The restoration team working on the SL0185 carefully analyzed every single element and component of the car to determine the restoration philosophy to be applied to the vehicle. The SL0185 can be defined as a "high collection" car, with significant technical and historical content, handcrafted as a unique piece by a great constructor like Rocco Motto. Maintaining its originality, materials, colors, and paint type identical to those of the car's original period were used. Similar attention was given to the mechanical parts. The power unit equipping the Gran Sport SL0185 is one of those specifically prepared by SIATA based on the 1,393 cc engine with the precise purpose of being more competitive in the category of 1.5-liter sports cars, which especially in the United States, included extremely performing cars like the O.S.C.A. by the Maserati Brothers, the same Maserati 150S, Porsche 356, and 550.
The bore was increased to 82 mm and the stroke to 70 mm, with a total displacement of 1,480 cc, providing approximately 80 hp at 5,800 rpm, thanks also to a compression ratio of 8.2:1. Even the special intake manifold with two Zenith carburetors was made by SIATA, drawing from their experiences in the specific sector of racing car preparations.
An engine with these modifications, like the one mounted on the SL0185, was installed on the 1500 Gran Sport that amazed with its performance at the 1952 Sebring 12 Hours with Irish-Fergus, where it finished third overall and first in class, beating much more powerful cars.
Now, this car is ready to be entered into the most prestigious historic car competitions and events.