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Siata 208S
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A word, if we might . . .
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| Siata 208S arrives, some rust, some missing metal, but the "bones" are there. |
Boxes & boxes & boxes of bits. |
And the engine . . .
where else but in a box? |
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Siata 208S #BS508 has endured quite a life by anyone’s standard. It left the factory sometime in late '52 or early '53 headed for Ernie McAfee’s California dealership.
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Once there it languished for some time, undergoing a slow dissection at the hands of Mr. McAfee, the U.S. Siata importer. Over the following years, it seems from all accounts that BS508 served as a test mule, then the parts supply for those more fortunate examples. Dissection was followed by a fair measure of strain as its next known owner, California’s Hank Tubman, campaigned it in various road races. The stress resulted in open heart surgery toward the end of Tubman’s tenure, at which time a Buick V8 found its way into BS508’s engine bay.
Following this first surgery, BS508’s fate becomes less clear. 1968 sheds a beam of light on condition and whereabouts in the form of an article in the December issue of “Rod & Custom” magazine - open heart surgery again! This time our lucky Siata gets a Chevrolet V8 being installed for its then owner, “Eve of Destruction” folk singer Barry McGuire.
Following this episode, we can assume the car was enjoyed by its series of owners: Larry Moss, Gene Crestlake, a Charlie ????, Bobby Davenport, and finally Barry Russinoff. Noted “Siata-phile” Anton Krivanek found and acquired BS508 from Barry in July of 1988. Between '88 and the new millennium, Anton slowly acquired all the correct but missing original bits and the correct Fiat 8V engine. BS508 could not have asked for a better rehabilitative therapist. As a longtime lover of the marque, Anton’s therapeutic specialty perfectly suited him to the task at hand.
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First test to locate mount positions
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Radiator mockup
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Radiator parks fabricated
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Radiator parks assembled
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Metalwork begins
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Primed and ready for its transplant
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Mike builds the seats from raw materials
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The engine takes shape
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Charlie puts the finishing touches
on the heart and sould
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Rebuilt suspension
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Boxes of restored bits all find
their way onto BS508
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Hands, hands, and more hands . . .
the deadline looms
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Engine fitted for
the final time
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In December of 2000, New York’s Michael Schwartz acquired 208S #BS508 from Anton. While still in need of some measure of intensive care, Anton had erased many of the ravages of “Quite a Life.”
Floors were reconstructed, seats shells were in the works, and, most importantly, the “kit” included correct drive train components and most of the other rarities needed to complete the project.
Michael entrusted completion to Automotive Restorations, Inc., of Stratford, Connecticut. Having restored several bits of tasty Italian exotica for Michael in the past, the ARI staff were anxious to undertake the completion of the beautiful little Siata. BS508’s final surgery was its most extensive.
Though the original alloy body was in good order, a fair measure of cosmetic surgery was needed. This final heart transplant took the form of rebuilding all the original mechanicals This was followed by a skin graft, nervous system re-creation and, of course, all the usual lipstick and polish completed the process.
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All else starts to take shape,
as the deadline looms
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A bit closer, but not yet baked
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The seat frames finished and fitted
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At last, a finished interior
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At last, the first test is a success
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| Unlike ourselves, the ravages of time truly can be erased in an automobile’s life BS508 is now what it was those many years ago, leaving the Siata works in 1952 or '53; who knows, but does it matter? It was beautiful then and remains so today. |
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Parked and ready for
the ride to Pebble Beach
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Siata BS508 all dress up,
but where's my ride?
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The final cleanup
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Showtime, as BS-508 proudly displays its tour completion
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May the judging begin
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And still another look
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The proud owners completed the tour, enjoy the show, and reap their accolades
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