Intermeccanica Italia

[Motorace]

Originally Posted by alsantoro

I first saw the Italia in a Sports Car Graphic Magazine article in the 70's always remembered it. Two years ago I had an opportunity to acquire one of the 56 coupes made and my wife and I love it.

I would like to hear from other Italia owners as I am trying to resurrect a registry to determine what cars are still out there. I know two other local owners who have three cars between them.

The 1971 article in Automobile Quarterly (Vol 9-3) had that effect on me. Our library had a subscription to AQ (if you can believe that - it was fate!), and when I read that article, my world changed. I didn't acquire my Italia until 31 years later, but I'd never forgotten the AQ article. Every other sports car I bought in the meantime was merely a "placeholder" until I finally found my Italia.

In theory, there is a registry already, but it needs resurrection - the holder of it won't release any information about it other than to say there are maybe 25 cars registered, but he won't allow us to find out if there are other owners in our area - so what good is it doing? He says he'll get around to publishing it to those registered someday, but that was several years ago and I wonder why those of us who have registered cannot access it now. Since registering several years ago, I've received no communication from him so I think he is not serious about maintaining a registry.

I know it takes work to set something up, so I cannot complain if I'm not willing to do the work. It's more of a case of I do not have the skillset to set up a website, so instead, I've been posting articles about Intermeccanica in general (not just Italias) on various websites to build awareness and hopefully hear from other owners.

I've found 2 other Italia owners in my area - mostly by accident. Once my car was on the road and being seen again (after 22 years in storage) then occasionally someone would say 'I think I've seen a car like that when I was over at somebody's place... and eventually we found each other.

We have 6 Italias between us in this area. I have my one on the road and another stripped & rusty 'shell' that I bought on eBay. It will never be restored, but it is my insurance policy to have the correct body restoration dimensions should mine ever be in an accident. Another owner is actively restoring one and will probably have it on the road this summer, and a third owner has three 'accident victims' that he might be able to combine to make one good car someday/oneday.

You did not say how to get in touch with you, but if you have any computer skills to start a website or a Yahoo discussion group, that might be a good way to start up an online registry. I hope you do because my computer skills aren't up to it... The (Intermeccanica) Apollo owners group (with many fewer cars having been built) have an active registry / newsletter because someone is willing to put in the time (and has the skills) to publish it on the web.

Many owners of expensive cars prefer to not go posting their posessions in public forums for fear of becoming targets - so you may have to establish some credibility first by creating a website or active discussion group. I've made other Italia-owner contacts outside my local area, and I will be happy to let them know how to contact you, but I have to give them the choice. The fact that you are an owner yourself goes a long way to establishing credibility, and if you'll private mail me, I'll exchange my contact info with you.

Do you have any closeup photos of the headlight covers on your car? They look great - but the thumbnail photo is too small to appreciate them fully! Who made them?

I keep an album of photos of my car available on PicasaWeb here:
Picasa Web Albums - Dan - '69 Intermecc...

[Dickrich]

Motorace, It's nice to read the work of someone that owns and knows these cars well.
I've been working on an Italia article for some time. If you could review it and tell me your thoughts it would be most appreciated:

Intermeccanica Italia Spyder - Supercars.net

[omega1969]

Originally Posted by alsantoro

I just wanted to post a follow up to this discussion. I first saw the Italia in a Sports Car Graphic Magazine article in the 70's always remebered it. Two years ago I had an opportunity to acquire one of the 56 coupes made and my wife and I love it.

I would like to here from onther Italia owners as I am trying to resurrect a registry to determine what cars are still out there. I know two other local owners who have three cars between them.

Don't know if there's still any interest - my husband has a 1969 Omega, white; original condition (excellent) and just purchased a new starter (car has been sitting up for a couple of years not driven). I know very little about it except what files he has (original magazine coverage and some photos). If there's any interest, let me know.

[cargirl1990]

i'd say that would be one of the most beautiful Italia cars ever made. im in love with your car Motorace!!!! i want one now!

[James horner]

I owned one (Torino 67 rebirthed to a 68 more to come

[James horner]

50018 Torino-Italia 67 retitled to 68, yellow convertable. That was mine. I am not a collector I am a consumer. It was a daily driver my 5 years with it, minus 2 winters north then it was stored. I bought it new in the spring of 68. Due to the changes in the emisions laws the 289 high preformance engine was replaced with a 302C. I autocrossed so I made some with great results. The suspention in the front needed little help it was well sprung and the oversized sway bar all I added was koni shocks. The rear was way to soft so agin konis and a major coil spring change. A buick spring cut down till the car was level did the trick. I hate a car that pushes so I set it up a little on the loose side. It makes driving a turn with the throtle stable. The shifter was to far left and back and it was soft(like stiring a buket of stew). After taking some measurements, I took it out and bent it to the desired shift location. It was then fitted leaving the rubber isolation bussings out. What a differance, it was easy to preload and speed shift. The top load tranny was great it never boaked. The engine, plenty for that car, but not for what I wanted. First emissions removed. I replaced the carb with a holly 660 compatition carb. It has the large acceleration pump. the linkage was set up to operate all 4 barrels together all the time and a 4 way center squirters. Smooth and acurate throttle control, great when drifting a corner. Just set it up and drive it with the gas peddle. The other engine Mod was the malory ignition system. Tires- for autocross I used factory dimention rims with smaller diamiter goodyear blue streaks. That lowered my center of gravity and lowered my gear,better for short track autocross racing.
I competed in A modified aginst all and won more than my share. Including lotus, vet and 1 can am prepared vet.That was in the north. In Florida I one year in a best 5 of 7 serries I took 25 of posible 25 points as well as the best time of the serries trophy. lots of fun. I also drove hard on the road. One time Cleavland to Tuscalosa Ala., Something over 800 miles in less than 11 hours,Average 72ish. It rained start to finish and stormed in Tuscalosa. I wish I had RainX then, with the windshield rake and the wipers being useless at high speeds. I loved that car and always enjoyed turning the key

[henk4]

Originally Posted by James horner

50018 Torino-Italia 67 retitled to 68, yellow convertable. That was mine. I am not a collector I am a consumer. It was a daily driver my 5 years with it, minus 2 winters north then it was stored. I bought it new in the spring of 68. Due to the changes in the emisions laws the 289 high preformance engine was replaced with a 302C. I autocrossed so I made some with great results. The suspention in the front needed little help it was well sprung and the oversized sway bar all I added was koni shocks. The rear was way to soft so agin konis and a major coil spring change. A buick spring cut down till the car was level did the trick. I hate a car that pushes so I set it up a little on the loose side. It makes driving a turn with the throtle stable. The shifter was to far left and back and it was soft(like stiring a buket of stew). After taking some measurements, I took it out and bent it to the desired shift location. It was then fitted leaving the rubber isolation bussings out. What a differance, it was easy to preload and speed shift. The top load tranny was great it never boaked. The engine, plenty for that car, but not for what I wanted. First emissions removed. I replaced the carb with a holly 660 compatition carb. It has the large acceleration pump. the linkage was set up to operate all 4 barrels together all the time and a 4 way center squirters. Smooth and acurate throttle control, great when drifting a corner. Just set it up and drive it with the gas peddle. The other engine Mod was the malory ignition system. Tires- for autocross I used factory dimention rims with smaller diamiter goodyear blue streaks. That lowered my center of gravity and lowered my gear,better for short track autocross racing.
I competed in A modified aginst all and won more than my share. Including lotus, vet and 1 can am prepared vet.That was in the north. In Florida I one year in a best 5 of 7 serries I took 25 of posible 25 points as well as the best time of the serries trophy. lots of fun. I also drove hard on the road. One time Cleavland to Tuscalosa Ala., Something over 800 miles in less than 11 hours,Average 72ish. It rained start to finish and stormed in Tuscalosa. I wish I had RainX then, with the windshield rake and the wipers being useless at high speeds. I loved that car and always enjoyed turning the key

Welcome James, such an interesting story begs the question: What happened next, is the car still around somewhere?

[nota]

Originally Posted by James horner

I bought it new in the spring of 68. Due to the changes in the emisions laws the 289 high preformance engine was replaced with a 302C.

The engine, plenty for that car, but not for what I wanted. First emissions removed. I replaced the carb with a holly 660 compatition carb.

Hi James

Just to insert a passing mention, a lot of 302C owners (self included) swapped those 302C crank & rods with 351C items, which gives a major power boost and is an undetectable mod by external inspection.

[Motorace]

re: "I autocrossed with great results"

It's great to hear first-hand from someone who drove an Italia in competition. I've always suspected that it could do well - with it's solid body-welded-to-the-chassis. The things you did that yielded the greatest improvements fit what I suspected would help the most.


I let my stock '69 Italia be driven by a man who is a factory-racing test driver for a European manufacturer and he was very impressed by how solid the car is and how well it was balanced. He especially commented on how well the bump-steer had been designed out of it. My 1969 is fairly stock except that I added coil-over shocks on the front to be able to raise the ride height after the original front springs had sagged with age. I need to do the same for the rear too. Replacing the original rear suspension bushings helped a lot too (same as Alfa 2600 rear bushings)

If only one had been raced in a major event back in it's day! I've heard rumors of one having been raced in Southern California, but I've found no evidence in the form of magazine articles or race programs, etc. Does anyone know of any Italias participating in any wheel-to-wheel races in the late 1960's or the early 1970's?

[James horner]

I had heard about the crank kit trick after I sold it. I'm not sure I would have done it the car was bulletproof as it was. 2450# at 50/50 distrabution 0-60 not as stated 6"closer to 4.5-5. All I needed for a daily driver. I drove it hard all the time, But never got a ticket in that car
I don't know where the car is now I sold it in Fl. The young man took it to Kentucyish.I did hear about 12 years ago it was in a barn. I'll check to see if any of his friends have heard from him next time i'm in FL(January)