The Siata Daina Gran Sport is one of the more distinctive small-series Italian sports cars of the early 1950s, conceived as a lightweight and competitive machine with clear motorsport ambitions. Built in fewer than 50 examples, the Daina combined Fiat-based mechanical components with a carefully developed chassis and elegant coachwork, resulting in a car that was both agile and well suited to competition use.

This 1953 Daina Gran Sport Spider, bodied by Stabilimenti Farina, has recently emerged from a large estate collection where it remained untouched for decades. As evidenced by its current condition, long-term storage and exposure have taken a heavy toll. Corrosion is extensive, and the structure has deteriorated to the point where the front and rear sections have partially separated. The car will require a complete restoration, including body, chassis, and mechanical components. The Gran Sport versions of the Daina were the most competition-oriented and are historically the most significant. Thanks to their low weight and responsive handling, they were campaigned in period in both Europe and the United States. The model achieved notable results in endurance racing, including participation in events such as the Mille Miglia and the 12 Hours of Sebring. At Sebring in 1952, a 1,500 cc Daina Gran Sport finished first in class and third overall, a result that helped establish the car’s reputation internationally.

Often described in period as a “little Ferrari,” the Daina Gran Sport combined Italian styling with genuine sporting credentials. In its present state, this example represents a demanding but historically important restoration project, suitable for an enthusiast familiar with early post-war Italian sports cars and period competition history. Find it for sale at $79,500 here in Astoria, NY.