Early Intermeccanica Quality?

I've a chance to buy a one owner 1982 Intermeccanica Speedster. The car appears to be a very nice, well kept car. I don't think the early ones like this have the same frame as the later models. Can anyone tell me if there is anything I should look out for that would be specific to the early cars. Did these cars have any specific issues?
Thanks in advance,
Norris

I have had 2 of the early IM's. Outside of painting both of them and replacing the interiors there was nothing that would keep me from buying another olde' IM. Of course in any fiberglass car you need to carefully inspect for stress cracks everyplace....it was not a problem with either of my cars, but best to use caution....

One of mine was swing axle, the other was IRS. Personally speaking the IRS was my favorite for handling...that would be my preference...but the Speedster I have now is swing axle, so no big deal...

Norris-Address your concerns/questions to Intermeccanica! Good reputation; site listed on above "tab" MAKERS.

Norris,
They aren't built like the current ones (meaning IM's). The old ones were built using a shortened VW pan/chassis along with the subframe that supported the body. Some makers still do it the same way today and some have built more "purposeful" chassis aimed specifically at the speedster body. I don't think there was a much of a market for "turn key" cars back in the day and some, like Henrys Dad, built some and sold some kits as well. I tried to find out if my car was built my him or by a private builder and all the old records are gone. They're pretty solid cars for sure. Im the 4th owner of my car (I think) and it's held up pretty well. I have made some "chassis upgrades" because of its age though.
The things to look for on any old speedster build is the door jam area: listen for clunks and banging in that area while driving. It is the WEAKEST point of the chassis and has a tendency to "loosen up" and become flexible (that was one of the things I addressed on my car with angle square tube steel supports running from the side rail to the post running up behind the door jam). Also check the rivets the connect the body to the subframe that goes around the engine area. They also have a tendency to stretch and create noise in that area. It's just things that 30 years of gravity and a little wear and tear can do. And its nothing that can't be addressed with some time and a welder.

Norris, I'm presently having my old 1984 IM rebuilt buy Henry at Intermeccanica-it's the last year for the pan cars. Given the choice, I'd go with a tube frame IM, but I also wouldn't hesitate to buy a nice IM pan car. One complaint that Henry is addressing for me is the seat belt placement. My 1984 only came with lap belts but I also wanted shoulder belts. Unfortunately, there isn't a structurally supported spot that the should belt can me mounted to. Henry ended up fabricating supports (tied into the rear frame) so a bar can be installed behind the seats. The shoulder straps for a four point harness will be attached to the bar.
Check the pan bottom carefully. Good luck.

I wouldn't pay a premium for it being an IM though. One owner (if well taken care for) might be good sign that he liked it and had no issues - especially if he kept records. He should know if home or IM built. If it hasn't been refreshed over the years look to doing that (brakes, shocks, rubber components) plus obvious cosmetics. Some early replicas only used the VW pan and did not also use a heavy steel sub frame as part of the fiberglass chassis. Look in CMC build manual for picture of that sub frame. Pretty sure IM used that same type of subframe. You need that subframe for strength.

Make sure it had good title that you can register it with in your state (check hump in rear for matching number if the the VW chassis # was used on title).

Amazes me that "old" records have been lost over just so few years - heck we had even home computers back then. Michigan State claims they have no car title/registration records available 10 years back (when I check for fellow SO in UK for his Speedster). There's more historical records available from our Civil War than from the Gulf War.

Ok, just got a look at the car. It is in fabulous condition. Very well kept/maintained. Kept inside a climate controlled garage all it's life. It has 2507 miles on the odometer. Original red gelcoat that shines like paint. No chips or dings. Turns out this car was part of a 30+ car Porsche collection in Dallas. Entire collection is being sold and this car was one of 2 Intermeccanicas in the collection of vintage Porsches. Engine is a 1600(could be larger) with a single Weber and some sort of header exhaust. Car runs and drives great. More power than I thought it would have with a 1600. Chassis is literally as new. Car was built by the Intermeccanica factory. Comes with original Texas title directly from CMC(one owner). Car is titled "82 Porsche Speedster 356". Vin # on the title is the serial # from Intermeccanica. Turns out the owner raced Porsches in the 60s and 70s.
Anyway, I bought the car! Can't wait to get it! The car will be delivered to me on Thursday and I'll post pics and more info then.
Looking forward to learning from you guys!
(I tried to be a donating member but the site would only take my credit card thru Paypal. I'm not going to use Paypal for this. Who do I need to contact to just use a visa card?)
Thanks,
Norris

Norris, congratulations on your purchase! 2507 miles....WOW!

Norris: re: your contact for questions/donations try this:
Admin@SpeedsterOwners.com (e-mail) "AT" is keyboard shift/2

Thanks Scott

"Car was built by the Intermeccanica factory. Comes with original Texas title directly from CMC(one owner). Car is titled "82 Porsche Speedster 356". Vin # on the title is the serial # from Intermeccanica."

CMC was Classic Motor Carriages formerly of Miami, FL? So is it one of the 500 or so bodies that IM sold to FF/CMC in early days?

Title actually reads "Classic Motor Carriages". I just assumed CMC was the same thing. I really don't know how all of that comes together. Henry confirmed that the car was Intermeccanica and that's really all I know.

Wow, I have an Inermechanica?

Me too...$hit...

And I just spent an hour twisting curly-cues in my red alternator wire so it could pass as a VS!

What does it matter if it's an IM or a CMC, sounds like he got a really nice clean car. If IM sold FF/CMC a bunch of shells then I guess it's still an IM isn't it?
Some folks here have a really hard time with other folks putting Porsche badges on their IM's because its NOT a Porsche, it's an Intermeccanica after all. ;)I guess they'll get thier panties in just as big a bunch because someone put a FF/CMC badge on an IM. ;)

Hey Mickey...stick a badge on this....

Thanks Mickey. I'm new to this game. I'm very excited about getting this car and modifying it into what I think is what it should be. I wanted something that was super clean for a platform and I believe this is the car. I think I got a decent deal on it which will allow me to modify it myself.....then it'll be mine. I love what Mickey has done to his Speedster and will probably go the same bumperless, widefive, and braced chassis direction. I know I didn't buy a collector car nor did I want one that I couldn't do with as I please.
Have a good day ya'll!
Norris

A Porsche Badge or an IM badge, Vince? You wouldn't want to misrepresent now would you? ;)

I guess decals have been considered?

Mickey-

Thank you sir, may I have another?!? ;)

Wolfgang
I keep saying this to SOC members, but nobody believes me. I received a driver 2001 JPS with your same curly red wire going thru the firewall. That is not a VS identifier. I'm just saying .....

You won't see a red wire in any of my pix, because a few years later, the alternator grounded internaly and I immediately converted all the red insulation into smoke, revealing a nicely blackened copper wire underneath. I subsequently re-routed the wire to clean up the engine compartment.

Hey Stan!!!! ;)