Daina was the longest-lived model in Siata’s stable, entering production in 1950, designed by the brilliant Rudolf Hruska ex Porsche and Cisitalia.. Available in coupe or cabriolet guises, bodies were bespoke affairs designed by Stabilimenti Farina, Bertone, and other smaller Italian design firms. Underneath the Daina, Siata stuck to its core competency: It was a very heavy modification of the Fiat 1400, a common small family car that also debuted in 1950.

For a start, Siata chopped 10 inches from the Fiat’s wheelbase and strengthened the frame. It then borrowed three different engines from Fiat (of 1.4, 1.5, and 1.8 liters) and developed new valve heads, manifolds, carburetors, and borrowed the occasional exhaust system from well-known Fiat tuner Abarth. Transmissions were manual, and had either four or five speeds. Such details were all negotiable, depending on customer desires. The front suspension was independent, with a live axle at the rear. Brakes were drums at all corners.

Siata took the Daina racing, as was intended from the start. Cars participated in the Mille Miglia and the International Grand Prix. They also raced at Sebring, and in 1952, a 1.5-liter Daina Grand Sport placed first in its class, and third overall.

Daina production was incredibly slow. The model’s full run from 1950 to 1958 saw about 50 completed cars, most of which were built before 1953. Of the 50, the majority were of the Gran Sport (cabriolet) type, while only 20 Sports (coupes) were completed.

Our subject’s coupe body was sourced from Stabilimenti Farina, a coachwork firm founded by Giovanni Farina. Giovanni employed his younger brother Battista in the early days, who stuck with the car building thing when he founded Pininfarina in 1930. Pietro Frua worked there too. Important place!

This car is a 1951 Daina Sport in the very rare “Berlinetta” version, designed by Stabilimenti Farina. It was imported to France in 1979 and purchased in 2007 by previous owner from Belgium. Car still has French documents. The original Fiat 1400 cc engine has been replaced by an OSCA 1500 cc engine (FIAT 118.000) used in the Fiat 1500 OSCA Cabriolet. This gives the car 80 hp instead of 65 of the original engine. The body of the Siata Daina Sport Stabilimenti Farina Coupe has been fully professionally restored in 2010 to it’s original and full glory. The restoration is documented. The aluminium (except for the doors) coachwork is painted in a light green color.

The French owner who owned this Siata from 1973 to 2008 found this car at a car salvage yard in 1973. The Siata 1400 cc engine was open and the crankshaft was badly scratched. The 5-speed gearbox still worked well. The car was hand painted in a white-beige color. The owner painted the car in the original green color and upholstered the seats, replaced the headliner and carpeting. He installed an engine block from a Simca 1500 and parts from an engine from a Fiat 1400. He used the car regularly from 1979 to 1985. In 2008 he sold the car to Italy.

The Siata Daina Sport Stabilimenti Farina Coupe from 1951 has been officially entered in the “Registro 1000 Miglia”, and is therefore eligible for participation in this prestigious event. This is a unique opportunity to acquire an exceedingly rare and Mille Miglia eligible car in outstanding condition.