• Rare Italian sports car
• Left-hand drive
• Present ownership since 2006

Founded in 1926 in Turin, Italy by Giorgio Ambrosini, SIATA (Societa Italiana Auto Trasformazioni Accessori) began life as a tuning firm specialising in the modification of FIATs. When the company, now renamed SIATA Auto Spa, eventually introduced its first production car in 1949, FIAT components, in this case sourced from the Topolino, were the logical choice for the new Amica cabriolet. During the 1950s and on into the '60s a variety of US engines including Crosley, Ford and Chrysler V8s was adopted in addition to FIAT's home-grown motors.

The Milanese firm's next effort, based on the FIAT 1400, was the Rallye, a traditionally styled roadster bearing more than a passing resemblance to the MG TD. Not all SIATA's designs were so obviously plagiarised, the series of FIAT 8V 2-litre V8-powered coupés of the 1950s - equipped with a variety of stylish Italian coachwork from the likes of Stabilimenti Farina, Vignale and Bertone and arguably the firm's finest creations - being particularly striking.

SIATAs of the 1960s continued to be FIAT based, the Michelotti-bodied 1500 TS Coupé being the most noteworthy. The latter's twin-carburettor engine produced 94bhp while the later 1600 model had 106 horsepower on tap.

In 1968 SIATA returned to the MG theme with its swansong model: the Spring. A two-seat sports roadster constructed on the rear-engined FIAT 850S floorpan, the Spring lasted until 1970, with a brief revival by ORSA in 1973.

This sporting Italian rarity was acquired for the collection at a German auction in 2006 and comes with the purchase invoice.

Ahead of sale, the car has been lightly recommissioned: new fuel filter installed; fuel lines replaced with new ones; brake pump removed, repaired, and reinstalled; and a new battery installed.

Additional paperwork includes an ASI certificate dated 1992; copies of Netherlands registration documents; customs papers; photographs of maintenance; and a list of works carried out in 2010.

Please note that this vehicle is from outside the UK. Our customs agents, CARS UK, will manage all post sale customs administration. A fee of £350+VAT will be charged on the buyer's invoice to administer both import or export customs movements. If the buyer also chooses to ship with CARS UK, this will be quoted separately. If this vehicle is to remain in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the reduced rate of 5% on the hammer price. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance formalities. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department.