Intermeccanica Italia Advice

I just saw my first one ever at the 2008 Radnor concours. How much does the convert and coupe go for these days? Please post more pics!
Erik

 

Just a general statement, as with all limited runs the later years seem to get the kinks out....as far as changes...I THINK...the 72's all had the 351 cleveland instead of the windsor, all had the campys instead of the chrome 5 stars, had slightly larger tail lamps, rectangular as opposed to triangular.
They had a little better smile in the grill area, something was cleaned up up front....but generally they were all the same, just assembled at later or earlier times...
Looks like you too are doing a spectacular job...Please post more pics asap.

I would love to find a perfect 72 Coupe again...In case you here of one ?????????

Did anyone know the where abouts of that Factory 72 Coupe Targa that was in Hemmings last year....Shouda grabbed it! VERY RARE

 

Thanks to Ben for starting this thread. I pulled the seats and consol out of my car on Sunday and took them to the upholstery shop. I'm posting a few pix of the car now, but will post more later. Ebrowns car looks awesome. My buddy drove my Italia to Jacksonville Cars and Coffee and they featured it in their photo thread.
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Are those minilite wheels?


Nice!

 

Thanks for the kind words, you all. Just got back from the Concorso Italiano, a fabulous event that doesn't seem to put a great priority on etceterini. I was asked to park in an area well away from the Pantera's and Iso's, and found my self a spot between a pink Cadillac Allante and a Citroen ( both very nice cars but not the motif I was working for). The show just great....I met a lot of terrific people and saw some great cars. But there were three very nice Italias there and they just really didn't get their day.
I'm running out of time,as I've got a trip in the morning. I'd love to talk with any of you about the many stories in rebuilding one (just getting the right wheels is a bear!) Mine is cosmetically done and really glows but the most exciting part is that, as we start to get out the many bugs, a really fine GT car is starting to emerge with a very strong and distinct personality.
Let's figure out how to get something together, some group activity that helps those of us restoring cars to share and document info, but also helps these great old cars find their place in the pantheon of classic Ialian cars.
Gotta go and hope to talk with you further soon'
Ed

 

Yes, they are 16" Minilite wheels. Bought from "Pack Racing" in Arizona, made in Australia. I've scanned a couple more images, the first is my car at a minor car show where I met Jack Griffith (with the car) and the second is a montage of my car in its silver phase with John Kelsey's Griffith at his now defunct museum in Daytona.
My car was originally fly yellow and built in December of 1972, but sold as a '72.
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Does the silver car have Pinto Tail lights???

 

I prefer to call them maverick tail lights.

 

This car is at Bobileff's. Slow going resto is right, it's been there for a long time. Very unique color.

PM sent.

Alberto

 

It's good to see so many Italia's surviving. Ebrowns 72 Spyder is georgeous. Attached are photos of my 1971 Coupe and some before and after shots of the work. It has the 351C - 4V. I've had it for about 3 years and have just completed some work, including replacing thr front suspension, all brakes and an engine rebuild. FYI, the new suspension is from Chris Alston's Chassis Works, brakes are Wilwood 11.75" front and 11" rear aand necessitated larger 15" wheels. I went with 15 x 7 Mag 500's as I liked the look but needed a 4.5" offfset. Tires are 205/60R15- Dunlops. I'm still getting everything sorted out completely but the car is well on its way. I'd be happy to answer any questions on the work.
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Beng,
Congrats on the Italia. I have a few questions? Coupe or Convertible? A/C? Engine 351C, 302 0r 289? Where are you located?

I first saw the Italia when I was 15 years old. 3 years ago I had the opportunity to buy one and I love it. A lot of info can be found at www.intermeccanica.org. although the site is no longer being updated. You can also find a wiring diagram and owners manual ( that will tell you what the switches do) a lot of history and other publications there. The design of the car is attributed to Franco Scaglione ( Ferrari 250 & others) and also to Bob Cumberford ( GM stylist and author for several car magazines) The original chassis was designed by Mark Donahue ( Yes, the Race driver) and Bob Crossthwaite chassis designer for BRM's old F1 team.

You'll find the car very sturdy and well put together. The downside was the "execution" of the front suspension The car was built with parts from over 290 subcontarctors and most of the front suspension was Fiat Truck parts that are difficult if not impossible to replace. I am told that the upper A arms were unique the the Italia however. I believe that as the car went from the 289 to the 351, increased power and weight overburdened the front end. My car developed cracks along the shock tower welds. Most people recomended a Mustang II type suspension replacement as the way to go and that is the route I took.

You can find Chris Alston at www.cachassisworks.com. Click on "Products" and you will see the G-Machine crossmember. This is what I had installed here in NJ. He can probably recommend a local shop if you need it. We did run into a few problems. The front sway bar interfered with the oil pan. I'm still working around that one but it has not upset handling going without it as the replacement crossmember is very rigid. A fix could be a custom sway bar or aftermarket sway bar eliminator. The new steering rack interfered with the radiator outlet so we substituted a Griffin Aluminum unit It fit right in and the 351 can use all the cooling it can get. The new front suspension is also fuly adjustable and easier to allign.

As for the Brakes, since the front came with new 11.75" Willwood brakes. I upgraded the rears as well. This required us to pull the rear and change end caps to fit 11" Willwoods. An improvement over the 11' front and 10' rear girling originals. They did require larger wheels however so I went with 15 x 7 wheels with 205/65-15 tires. My track was moved in 1/2 inch on each side and the wheels needed a 4.25 inch backspace but everthing clears nicely.

Drac Connelly in California has done at least one very exceptional full rebuild with all original parts but I don't know the cost or his situation as he has had some unfortunate health concerns. John Fortney at Italia Reproductions (www.italiareproductions.com) was also working on a coil over rear suspension replacement. (Be sure to check the rear shock supports for cracking and rust as well. )

I have several of the Publications on the car and many listed on the Intermeccanica web site can be found on ebay. I've also spoken to Frank Reisners wife ( who last I knew was still in BC, Canada at Intermeccanica) Reisner founded Intermeccanica which still makes Porsche speedster replicas.

Lastly, I have some parts left over from the rebuild for for sale for anyone interested. A list is below.

1. 5 Mag 500 wheels 14 x 6 with 195/65R14 Pirelli P400 tires ( About 1000 miles on them.)
2. 5 Original Cromodora Wheels in need of refinishing but straight. size 14 x 6.5
3. Original front & rear Girling Calipers and discs.
4. Original steering rack
5 Two Italia hubcaps for Cromodoras above.

Lets keep in touch. I'd be happy to give any other info I can.

Regards and Good Luck,

Al Santoro

 

Please Sell this car to Me if you should be so inclined...

 

Still here - I went to University with their son, Henry - who's now running the shop. Somewhere there's a few pictures of their Speedster's gathering with my 348 in the background . Great group of car guys. I was lucky enough to meet Frank and get a tour/history of his shop in the mid 80's - quite the collection of projects over the years.

Love the Italia's, and thanks for posting pics of such great examples! I understood they were mostly designed as fashion statements, and not expected to survive for more than a few years: 35 years later is amazing.

 

This thread is awesome gang. I have a whole new level of appreciation for these cars since seeing them at Concorso and in this thread. A really exceptionally cool design! Beautiful cars, ownership must be sweet! Congrats!

 

Hey, now!!! Back of the line!!!! . . . . . . . These have been in my profile since the first day I joined F-Chat. I just want a brand-new 40 year old car, not that I'm that picky - well, maybe I am.

 

Italia1013,
I have been thinking about a new front end for my IM4 for some years now. I rebuilt the old suspension about nine years ago with off-the-shelf bushings after modifying the ends, but want a better ride up front. I checked out the G machine website and like it better than any other I have seen. I have a few questions about the application:
1) What width did you select?

2) I cant tell from the pictures - what did you do to marry up the shock towers to the G machine?

3) Did you have to move the steering universal?

4) How is the steering geometry - does it do well in really tight turning at slow speeds?

5) Where did you get those beautifull headlight lenses and surrounds?

I'm in Jacksonville and have a couple of shops that can do the work. I would consider sending the car to a premium shop with experience.
Thanks

 

Oceans:

Here is the info I have but I'll double check with my mechanic as soon as I can reach him.

1. I beleive g-machine front end was ordered at 58 inches, 1 inch narrower than stock width. I'll check my records. We were being conservative in allowing an extra half inch on either side. This actually worked out well as we ended up doing the same on the rear end when welding the new carriers to the rear end to accomodate the brakes. The g-machine front end came with Willwood brakes so I wanted the same in the rear. As a result, we ended up with plenty of tire cleance and I was able to put 205/60 series tires on without a problem so I think the sacrifice in track was worth it.

2. The shock towers were put back in for effect. They are actually not attached to the front suspension at all. To brace to front end, we welded a stout 2" chrome molly tubes on an angle from the 4 x 4 frame to the suspension upright. It ended up being very solid. I'll try to find a better photo. I believe that a major flaw in the original Italia design was hanging the entire weight of the car off those shock towers. That design combined with largely fiat truck parts for a front suspension was allways suspicious. This was exacerbated by move from the 289 to the 302 and then to the heavier the 351C. Now the weight is bourne by the frame itself with the added plus of a fully adjustable front suspension and brakes you can get parts for. At the end we had heavy boxes welded into place and eveyone agreed that they look just right.

3. The Steering fell right into place. No welding required. If you wish, you can order it with power steering, but then you have to find room for the pump, etc. I just went with unassisted Rack & Pinion.

4. Actually, it appears to turn much tighter.

5. Those were on the car when I purchased it. Not original but they are attention getters. you may still be able to get them at www.italiareproductions.com or occasionally on ebay. I do like them except when I detail the car. I don't know if I could have brought myself to install them originally as it requires drilling the headlight surround area for the attachment clamps.

I realize that some may not like modifiying cars from the original, but if you want to drive these things they have to be safe. Hunting down all the old parts may not in all cases be practical or possible. Sooner or later as things need replacement, you will have to sustitute something if you want to keep the car on the road. Besides, I think of the Italia along the lines of Pantera's, and modifications don't seem to hurt their values much. The real interest in the car is its beautiful shape and design and I'm certainly trying to keep that intact.

Besides, with Italia's, its never sure what was original. I've heard of Expresso coffee can lids serving as mounting plates for window lift motors. Mine has two nicely brazed washers in addition to the alternator spacer.

I'll get some more info. shortly. Regards.

Al Santoro

 

I am still trying to get my mecahnic but to add some info. as to the shock towers, another reason we didn't need to tie them into the suspension is that we built an additional tube frame extending out to support the front of the car body. You can see parts of it in the photos extnding fron the new welded suspension to the radiator mount.

These supports are seen in the cemter of photo 3 in my post above.

Also, the supports referenced in #2 above are shown in Photo 4 above coming form the lower rt. of the photo to the suspension upright.

Regards,
Al Santoro

 

Just got my 1971 Italia back from the fabricator with a new front end. If it ever stops raining here in Sunny Florida, I'll get some pix posted of the operation and the new interior I had put in last fall. Thanks to Al Santoro for putting me on to the G-machine. The car feels much more sure-footed.
Oceans

 

Here's some pix of the new interior and front end of the Italia.
Rob
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I am a classic car lover and an Intermeccanica collector in San Diego, California. I currently own about 30 cars including 8 Intermeccanica cars. My Intermeccanica cars include: (3) Intermeccanica Italia convertibles 1968, 1970, & 1971. (2) 1969 Intermeccanica Murena sport wagons, A 1974 Intermeccanica Indra 2+2, a 1966 Vetta Ventura, and a 1982 Intermeccanica Roadster (Porsche Convertible D replica). My cars can be seen online at http://www.gallery.me.com/joltnjoe

I am looking to collect every car made by Intermeccanica! I need an Italia coupe! I may trade an Italia Convertible if necessary. Any help finding cars or parts will be greatly appreciated. Phil 858 775-7660
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More Intermeccanica cars from Phil in San Diego. Any advice or leads on parts or cars is appreciated.

 

1966 Vetta Ventura, 1969 Murena, and 1974 Intermeccanica Indra
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