Can I get a deal because this coachbuilder isn’t … Zagato? or Vignale? or Pinanfarina? Probably not! Though he isn’t a household name, Rocco Motto’s creations are every bit as desirable as his more famous peers. Motto founded his bespoke carrozzeria in 1932 at the age of 28. Orphaned during WWI, Motto had apprenticed with metalworkers from the time he was a child, rising rapidly to head the coachbuilding division at Martelleria Maggiora in Turin. Like his former employer, Motto’s new shop crafted elegant bodies for small manufacturers such as Ermini, Bandini, and Cisitalia – first in steel and then, after WWII, in aluminum. As his fame grew, Motto attracted more elaborate commissions from the likes of Ghia, Porsche, and Lancia. This 1953 Siata 208S spider is one of 53 produced. With its lines penned by Michelotti, thirty-three of these were built by Motto’s shop. Broad Arrow is representing this rolling work of art at its Amelia Island auction on March 6th; the estimate is $1.1 million to $1.4 million. Before you keel over at the hefty price tag, note that it’s far less than the sales price of this similar example, which sold for $2.04 million last year. Read on for why we’re looking at a potential bargain on this exotic roadster, and thanks to Araknid78 for sending along yet another spectacular tip!

With the Amelia auction still a couple of months away, Broad Arrow’s description remains cursory. But not many specialty cars can remain on the down-low any longer. We noted Broad Arrow’s description of this car’s engine as “period correct” – which begs the question, why not numbers-matching? Hunting around surfaced this listing, which reveals that chassis BS 520 was raced starting in 1957 by Motor Imports of Honolulu, Hawaii, and thereafter with other owners who aimed for speed, not originality. In white livery and with an Oldsmobile V8 in place of its 2.0-liter, Fiat Otto Vu, chassis BS 520 managed a few wins and collected several plaques. Later, a Chicagoan painted the car red and installed a Ford V8. The current owner commissioned a full restoration, obtaining the “period correct” motor. From the factory, a four-speed Fiat-derived gearbox was standard, but since many Siatas went off to the races, a five-speed competition gearbox was also available. This one is from Alfa Romeo.

Decked with twin Webers, output was about 110 hp, but for competition, the car could be equipped with a hotter cam and triple Webers, achieving 140 hp. The car weighs about 2500 lbs: this is another “quick, not fast” sports car, but if it sat in my garage, I wouldn’t care one whit what its zero-to-sixty time is. Braking is handled by finned aluminum drums at each corner.

The fixed-back front seats were refurbished in tobacco leather; the top frame, wood-rimmed steering wheel, and side curtains were rebuilt. A black convertible top grants a modicum of shelter during storms. Big Jaeger gauges feed information to the driver. Even its pedals are proportionate and well-designed.

This view, showing the tidy rear fenders fashioned into fins, Monza-style gas cap, long stretch forward to the reverse-slant nose, and slightly oversized wire wheels is a reminder that creature comforts and practicality are not on the roster here. It’s a purposeful machine with racing on its mind. Today, this Siata would be greeted eagerly at nearly every event you care to enter, despite its non-matching engine. In fact, its new owner might strike a bargain on a car that’s worthy of most garages.