Intermeccanica Italia Advice

Just discovered this thread (I'm usually in "Vintage.") Back in the day, I sold a 250LM to Sonny Bono, and the only way I could satisfy his manager was to take his Italia in trade. The Italia was dark green, and had a pinsripe outline of Cher on the "B" pillar. After it sat in my drive-way for a week or so, I noticed a foul smell, and after a one hour search discovered a package of Italian salami that had fallen under the spare tire. Yuk!

That aside, I remember it as a pleasant car to drive, although I'm sure it would feel "vintage" today. Except for the lack of that great engine sound, it drove at least as good as contemporary Ferraris, maybe better.

I've always wondered what happened to that car. Sorry, no S/N or other info.

Watching Sonny drive off in the LM was an experience, but that's another story.

 

I have Ferrari 355 seats in my Pantera (02222)which has 2.5 in. lowered floorpans.The neat thing about these seats is that thay are electrically adjustable AND have the shoulder/lap safety belt built into them. That eliminates the shoulder straps being anchored on the rear bulkhead.Each seat was 4500$ from the dealer and then they were stripped and recovered in a scheme carried thruout the rest of the car. Jerry

 

Ben, I'd give John Fortney a call at Italia Restorations concerning the pro's and con's of IRS. He may have an off the cuff solution. How about postin a picture of your car?
Oceans

 

Ben, I've been calling the 805-466-6293 number.He has always taken time to talk Italias with me. Your car looks great! I just had mine fitted for covered headlights that I bought from Italia reproductions. He may be able to get you in touch with Drac Conley who has done Italias in the past.

 

http://www.forzamotorsports.com/1969intermeccanica/default.htm

 

There's a 69 for sale on ebay @ 43k as of today. Hmmm...
Anybody know what type of brake pads were used for the emergency brakes with a 9" rear end?

 

According to the old club newsletters, the Intermeccanica Italia used a Girling rear caliper (64032734) similar to what would have been found on a AC Cobra or Fiat 2300.
Pads rear = Girling 64325738
Pads parking = Girling 64932005

 

Thanks Dtona, and welcome to Ferrarichat. I'll look into getting some new pads.

 

If it looks that bad on the outside the rest of it is just as you described.

Lets just say a perfect one is worth 100K ( They sell all the time for 30-65 K) what could it be worth? Unlike many of the other italian makes the engine and rims are worth very little, so there is no salvage. IMO maybe 500 dollars. What a mess.

 

http://www.carpictures.com/Intermeccanica/-Italia-Torina-Convertible-1967-07AIE564619850

 

I had a 1967 Intermeccanica Torino, (same car as Italia). Got the car when I was 19 after I sold my 1957 Chevy. Drove it almost daily for about five years. Had it for about fifteen years total.

Mine was a coupe, 289, four speed. The previous owner had installed a steep solid lifter cam, a Mallory dual point distributer, made some carburetor adjustments and installed straight through glass pack mufflers. I suspect it was making over 300 HP. Other than that, it was pretty close to stock.

I remember it being a great car. Geared really tall so a bit slow off the line but by the time you hit 2nd gear you were very happy. The Ford 289 V8 was among highest revving factory built engines at the time, redlined I recall at 7500 RPM. The thing screamed. Also was a major chick magnet.

There were a few weak points:

. The brakes were discs at all four wheels, but SOLID discs. It was good for one quick stop, one okay stop, then forget it. Basically you had to be in the right gear and use the engine for braking. But hey, downshifting is fun.

. In the summer, the passenger cabin was intolerably hot. I had no AC.

Other than that, I really enjoyed the car. I could tune it up myself. I thought is was very reliable. I drove it across the USA a few times. I mean from New York to California and back. Once in the Arizona desert, the battery wall melted. But heck, it was 115 degF that day. On the same journey through Arizona, a ball joint popped out but we fixed it with some truck parts enough to make it to Los Angeles.

Got side tracked with family and work. Set it aside. Wanted to do a total restoration which it need by then. But along came my son instead. Finally had to make room in the garage and sold it. Saddest day of my life.

I like the genre of mid-60's cars with American V-8's in Euro (especially Italian) bodys. This was it for me.

 

Bro,

From the photos I'd say:

Salvage value is windshield, engine and trans, probably nothing more. Maybe some trim, door locks, etc.. What could that be? $2,500 worth? Certainly not $25,000.

Having owned a 1967 coupe in the past, and always regretting the day I sold it, I would like to have it to restore. But there is obviously a turd-load of work to do.

Assuming a clear title, I think they've got a $5,000 car for someone who wants to restore it for himself, has the restoration skills and the time, and hopes to wind up with anywhere near even money when he's done.

One potential customer for them is somebody who has a stolen car and only needs a clean title. Because some people out there do that kind of thing.

Optionally, they could hold out for someone who is really passionate about these, or who is a real fool, or if they are really lucky and along comes a really passionate fool.

Carmine

PS: I think it's the same dealer has a wreck of a Ghibli for sale that also seems priced unrealistically. But hey. They're running a business.

 

Your thinking of Ferrari's, lambo, Maser. too much rust think about the amount of sheetmetal, cheaper to buy a restored car. It's gone.

 

I'd laugh if I weren't crying.

Even in the old days I wasn't stupid enough to fall into the trap of looking at it with glazed over eyes saying to myself I can save it.

 

Bondo was king in the 80's

 

Fellows,

There is wisdom in your words. But I still suspect there's enough there to do it. I'd have to see it in person to be certain. The frame looks pretty bad. Replacing major pieces would certainly eliminate any possibility of being an accurate "original" car. Depending upon suspension connection points, hinges and lock connection points, etc..

Salvage value:
. if engine is running then 289 V-8 with Borg Warner T10 four speed $500;
. windshield if very good to excellent $1000;
. probably no other pieces worth storing, advertising, etc..
These are very light cars so the scrap metal is probably not worth more than $100.

Maybe offer the salvage value plus gamble factor: maybe $2,500.

Minus inspection, aquisition, transport, etc. costs. A local SoCal guy could do it. For me in NYC it doesn't make any sense.

But as I said in my earlier post, their real potential clients at that price are either:
. an unscrupulous person who needs the title to cover a stolen car;
. a really passionate fool.

The advert says: "Condition: good".

 

LOL do what?

 

MK1044,

I'm surprised they put the car on a lift with that much rust! It could have
collapsed at that moment. Phew!!!!

Mark

 

Mark,

Agreed. It looks pretty scary. I would not stick my head under it without plenty of timber cribbing. On the other hand, if the car was that compromised (structurally), I would expect that we could see that around the doors. Hard to tell from the photos, though.

My gut feel is that it needs plenty of work but can be restored. Priced way too high. I've been thinking about calling them up to see if it's a misprint. Maybe they mean $2,500? That I would do. ;-)

Carmine