(first posted 6/8/2013) I was picking my way through a giant architectural salvage store in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood when I came upon this unusual little ute. It’s hardly parked by the curbside; as you can see it’s crammed in among the store’s many unusual wares. The number of these in North America has got to number in the single digits, probably the very low single digits (i.e., one). That’s because it came all the way from Argentina.
Siam Di Tella was founded in Argentina in 1911 by Torcuato di Tella, an Italian immigrant. The company got its start making industrial machinery, primarily breadmaking machines that helped bakeries get around an inexplicable ban on hand-kneading of dough. Later, the company diversified into home appliances and motor scooters using licensed designs.
Photo: http://www.auto-historia.com.ar/
This licensing strategy continued in 1959 when they began making automobiles based on British Motor Company designs, namely the Riley 4/72. BMC made these cars in saloon and estate (sedan and wagon to us Yanks) versions, which Siam Di Tella produced as the 1500 and Traveller, respectively.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Siam Di Tella also produced a pickup starting in 1961. You’d think they’d work with the Riley platform right out of the gate, but their first trucklets were based on the Austin A55 Cambridge.
Sometime during 1963, Siam Di Tella finally switched to the Riley body for its little truck, making Argentina the only place in the world a pickup version of this body was available. Trim details varied over time. This fender detail isn’t present on all Argentas, but it was obviously influenced by the ’57 Chevy.
The Argenta used BMC’s four-cylinder, 1489 cc engine, which produced 47 hp. It was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. The Riley suspension was beefed up to handle Argentina’s roads, which were presumably more primitive than those found on the Riley’s home turf.
About 11,000 Argentas were produced in total before automobile production ended entirely in 1966. Foreign automakers had established themselves in Argentina and were building cars there with which Siam Di Tella presumably couldn’t compete.
If you follow Bring a Trailer, this Argenta might look familiar to you, as it was featured there a couple years ago. Also, the architectural salvage store’s site lists this truck as well, offering it at $7,900. (Both sites say this Argenta is from 1959, but my research begs to differ.) It’s not clear to me that it’s for sale anymore, though. As I ogled this little pickup I asked idly about its price, and the shop owner simply said, “No.”
Neat pick up. Thanks I always see something fresh on this site I’ve never seen or heard of before.
That’s a beautiful logotype, too.
Thanks Jim. It was definitely your lucky day in Chicago for old car sightings. I saw a random ‘car show’ the other day in a strip mall parking lot.
Those do pop up! I’d like to find some of those here in Indy for some good outdoor photography.
Quite a find. That side trim in the photos of early models says 56 Chevy. This one got the 57 Chevy look by simply adding a piece of trim and 2 tone paint. Brilliantly simple.
Jim,
What store was that in? I live nearby and I’d love to take a look at it in person!
Click the link in the last paragraph – it goes to the store’s site.
Cute ute. You have expanded my automotive knowledge this morning: I had no awareness of this vehicle’s existence. Quite a find.
+1
I wonder how it wound up in Chicago, with Vermont plates (recent ones, too – the 123A456 format for the truck plates only started in the last couple of years).
Its cool as. The basis for this,the A60Farina Austin/Morris Oxfords were a very common and popular car in NZ the badge engineered Rilely was an upmarket Austin Cambridge. BMC built the A55/60 pickup an panelvan well into the 70s here but they never went to the new Farina shape body. They were very durable and reliable in fleet use probably due to regular servicing BMC lost its fleet sales with FWD it just kept breaking and the last postal vans wereA60s, Marinas and Minors, Mini vans werent replaced after the first batch.
Pre Farina pick ups and vans were a common sight in the UK in the 60s and 70s especially with the Post Office.The Riley was much more scarce than the Austin Cambridge and Morris Oxford versions of this car, it cost more and people were beginning to see they were getting stiffed paying for an Austin/Morris with a different grille
Naturally BMC Australia considered a Farina ute for production. The sole example was put to use as a factory hack. It’s remains were eventually found dumped in the bush.
Another photo…
What a neat, weird car… the BMC Farina “fins” make a really strange match with that pickup bed! It would have looked cooler if they had just shaped the bed into those fenders, but of course that would’ve cost much more for less utility. I check Bringatrailer every so often, but I missed this one so this is the first time I’m hearing the name Siam Di Tella (which is a sweet name for a car company). Quite a find, regardless of its appearance on there… and how about that “argenta” badge? Ridiculously sweet. It actually reminds me a little bit of the Studebaker Champ in spirit, because of its car origins and totally inappropriate pickup truck grille (not that there are any real visual similarities).
And speaking of that grille, that’s the one piece of this that actually is familiar to me. I don’t think the Riley or Wolseley brands were ever sold in the US, but someone in an adjacent neighborhood used to have a RHD Riley Elf. Picture the Argenta’s face on a Mk1 Mini with a trunk and that’s a Riley Elf. I always kick myself for never thinking to take pictures of it (way before CC), and I always hope it will pop up again at a car show somewhere. This find puts even an Elf to shame, however, as far as being rare and obscure. I think you’re right and it must be a 1-of-1 in the USA. If I had a spare $7,900 and the stomach for arguing with a fussy architectural salvage shop owner, I’d be very tempted… there’s nothing cooler you could park next to an F-350 at Home Depot.
If you do buy it, be sure to pronounce the g like an h! Ar-hen-ta! That would make it all the quirkier.
Needs the rolling ‘r’ like the guy says in the video too: “AGHRd-HEN-ta”.
If I do win the lottery and buy it, I will start commenting on CC under the name “Soulja Boy Tella”.
What a fantastic find. I’m not a huge fan of the styling on the sedan but it works rather well as a pickup.
Hi,
Cool find – well done!
As KiwiBryce says, the A55/A60 range (known as the Farina in the UK, after Pininfarina) was never sold as a pick up or van in Europe, but was available as an estate car, with the fins.
The A50 van and pickup were built until 1972, albeit latterly with the A60 engine under the 1950s body.
The photo shows a 1967 Austin pick up at a recent UK car show. BMC, being BMC, sold it as a Morris as well.
Hi,
Follow this link for a well researched history into Austin, Morris, BMC and BLMC vans and pickups, including a photo of Siam di Tella Argenta
http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/commercials/ar-commercials-car-derived-vanspick-ups/
That’s really cool. I wonder if utes are still popular today in Argentina as opposed to the regular US-style pickup truck.
What an awesome find! I first read about them last year on the aronline site Roger mentions above; never thought any would remain – let alone in such wonderful condition and in the USA!
Just digging through my files on the Siam di Tella, and looks like they did a van version too. Edit: Google indicates that the van is also badged ‘Argenta’, and its body type is described as “closed box”. Payload of 500kg; 41hp; 11,133 built. http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=es&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.taringa.net%2Fposts%2Fautos-motos%2F2501450%2FHistoria-del-siam-di-tella.html&act=url
hola amigos
esta pick up es una ARGENTA SIAM DI TELLA segunda serie fabricada UNICAMENTE en la Republica Argentina bajo licencia BMC entre 1960 y 1967
nosotros somos el clubdelsiam amantes de estos vehiculos
me encantaria que alguien me facilite la direccion donde se encuentra esta “ARGENTA SIAM DI TELLA” para poder contactar a su dueño.
tambien tenemso un magnette MG siam di tella en EE.UU que fue llevado desde Buenos Aires por su dueño a illinois
estos autos fueron fabricados por SIAM DI TELLA AUTOMOTORES BAJO LICENCIA BMC y fue tomado como modelo el AUSTIN A60 cambridge con sus reformas para Argentina.
desde ya agradezco si alguien puede contactarme con el poseedor de tal maravilla
gracias
walter
clubdelsiam
buenos aires, argentina
Walter,
Es posible que esto es el mismo carro que mencionas han sidlinooo llevado a Illinois en los EEUU – el carro aqui se ubica en Chicago, en la vecindad de Ravenswood – sitio del dueno aqui, con datos de email y tele: http://www.architecturalartifacts.com/about/
Siam Di Tella Automotive SA
In December 1910 the Engineer Torcuato Di Tella was founded in partnership with the brothers Allegrucci industrial and commercial organization to make kneading machines for bakeries. The success of the company encouraged its owners to branch out into other productive areas. In this way the successful later manufactured electric refrigerators Siam. In the fifties through an agreement with the Italian Lambretta Argentina begins manufacturing in their scooters, known here as Siambretta.
In 1959, their integration into the Automotive Promotion System, under license allows you to produce models of the British Motors Corporation. It then creates Siam Di Tella Automotive auto SAEL chosen to start local production was the Austin A-60, known in Argentina Di Tella 1500.
For production was conditioned premises vacated that the company had in the locality of Monte Sparrow. The refurbishment of the 50,000 m2 complex began in late October 1959 and after 126 days of intense work plant opens on March 15, 1960. Two weeks later, on April 2 comes the first Di Tella 1500. The demand was very important and within months the September 2 occurs unit # 1000. The production was supervised by the BMC Technical English is the main objective of improving production times to meet growing demand reaching 4,000 units in the first year of production. The following year the figures are tripled. They released new models, the pick up Argenta and the rural version of Di Tella 1500 called Traveller. In late 1961 the personnel employed by the company amounted to 2,000.
Within the Monte Sparrow plant smelting plant operated SIAF where parts melted steel, iron and non-ferrous including aluminum shell. Other plants of the organization as Siam They provided various plant components which were stamped Avellaneda all body elements.
For after-sales service the company had a Comprehensive Service Station on Gold Street in Maharashtra. They worked the Technical Training School where he trained mechanics to service technician Siam units.
Industrial plant Siam Di Tella
Industrial Floor Siam Di Tella in Monte Sparrow and assembly of the first Di Tella 1500
Cidasa and the end of production
Despite the requirements of the Scheme, the units had a low rate of national integration and the company was in financial difficulties in order to increase the percentage in accordance with current legislation establishing as a result had to reduce production levels drastically . This complicated upgrade plans in production models and launching new ones. Numerous alternatives were analyzed to overcome the crisis and finally in March 1965 signed an agreement with IKA industrial complementation in the areas of casting, tooling and tooling. Months later, in September 1965, IKA acquires 65% stake in Siam Di Tella Automotive. That same year he launched the Magnette 1622.
However, despite the contribution of IKA financial difficulties continued and in January 1966 the company filed for bankruptcy first. From March 1966 Siam name is removed from all the production line, so the 1500 and pick up Argent are renamed Riley, rural Morris 1622 Traveller and simply MG Magnette. These name changes are accompanied by changes in body aesthetic. Also the company changed its name to Automotive Industrial Company SA (CIDASA).
In early 1967, despite the efforts and changes the fate of the company was cast, continued financial difficulties and providers must accept as payment vehicles. In March, the last units produced: 5 Morris Traveller. The staff of the company is suspended for a month, but finally it was never reinstated.
See production Argentina Siam Di Tella
Hello everyone
I introduce myself my name is walter garrido and I am the president of clubdelsiam in Argentina, we are lovers of these cars and watched with great pleasure and pride that another copy of our siam di tella in USA, we would be very interested to know how he got up there, when and who owns or has history with the car
from already thanks muchsiimas
waiting for reply
Greetings atte ..
walter gabriel garrido
clubdelsiam
President
A very attractive little car.
Although I’m still hung up on the part about the “inexplicable ban on hand-kneading of dough”. Hummmmmm.
” I’m still hung up on the part about the “inexplicable ban on hand-kneading of dough”.
Gee…. I – believe – I can make a pretty educated guess at the answer. I wasn’t going to post it since I’d be responding to something from 2013 and thus just shouting into the void, but Jeff has raised the question again in 2021 so here we go:
The “inexplicable ban on hand-kneading of dough” is actually a public heath and safety decision almost certainly brought on by the “Muckraker” movement in the United States (Upton Sinclair who wrote ‘The Jungle’ in 1906 about the frighteningly unsanitary practices in commercial meat packing is the most remembered today) in which “The Press” started publishing exposés of various industries. ‘The Jungle’ was tremendously and immediately impactful: Congress passed ‘Pure Food and Drug Act’ in 1906.
Now… couple this with another Infamous character of the day: Mary Mallon aka “Typhoid Mary” a cook who had asymptomatic Typhoid …and gave it to some 56 people. She’s a tragic but interesting story (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Mallon) but her saga very much raised concerns about public health and sanitation.
Now, it’s obviously impossible to draw a direct line from Typhoid Mary to the government of Argentina but these types of concerns and consequent legislation were very much in the air of the day and we can be sure that there were countless other stories in the same vein but who are forgotten today.
Suddenly one can see the interest in Argentina by 1911 to take measures to clean up public food preparation standards – like making sure that ‘Typhoid Maria’ et al did not touch the raw bread dough with her hands.
Anyhow, I love that Ute; it’s a cool vehicle and a fascinating find.
In the late 1980s, and having a vintage car restoration shop just outside Washington, DC, I got to know a man from the Chilean Embassy who loved old cars. Well we started importing cars from Chile, the first was a 1938 Ford 4-door convertible sedan with RHD steering. One day my friend Fernando tells me about a cute estate car called a Siam Di Tella, It’s in beautiful condition with only about 20,000km on the odometer [about 12,000 miles].
I loved the look of the car, and it’s obvious BMC – Riley influence, but decided the cost of the car and the container shipping would be too much, so the USA almost had another Siam Di Tella! This was before the internet, and I was unable to find anything out about the car, as the Chilean Embassy was no help.
I had an estate once upon a time a 66 Morris Oxford version thats obviously the basis for the ute it was sort of a good car after I hid the rust behind lagging plaster and brushed some paint over it but the engine finally packed it.
They probably started with the older shape for the pickup on a CKD assembly basis and moved to the unique Farina-based trucks with more common parts to the sedans and wagons as a way to increase local content.
Hello All,
The Siam Argenta, blue and white, is getting cleaned up, out of lengthy inside heated storage, sorted out, and will be for sale. Asking $23,500.
Tom 773 953 1746 ajax4015@hotmail.com