1952 Fiat 1100E Zagato (Chassis #365918)

There I was, on Los Angeles’ Imperial Highway, helplessly hanging on in the passenger seat. No grab bar, no seatbelt, just my feet burrowing into the floorboards. The scent of tires melting away under the strain of a 70 mph four-wheel drift was intoxicating, and the fact that the combined age of driver and machine was 132 years made it all the more electrifying. Then there was the car itself, a 1953 Siata 208S (#BS 520). Perfect lines, precise steering, crisp handling, and the sounds that small V8 made were nothing short of operatic. Of course, I’m glad I lived to tell about all of this, but it sure would have made one heck of a eulogy.

Let me be clear; this Siata is not a Hidden Treasure. It’s a well known car, owned by my good friend Dan Kolodziejski of Pacific Palisades who’s been collecting Italian automotive exotica since 1988. In addition to the 208S, Kolodziejski also has a 1954 Fiat 8V (#106*000*084) in his stable with Zagato double-bubble coachwork. Dan credits much of his collecting success to his friend, mentor, and shop manager Anton Krivanek, who’s no stranger to Italian gear. And as I live and breathe I can say with 100 percent certainty that he’s still one hell of a driver.