Fixer Upper IM-6

This one has some potential:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Intermeccanica-911-porsche-engine-w-AC-/270859416886?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3f107ab536

It does, but the seller didn't say much about how it's running/leaking/shifting.

It might have a lot of potential for expense.

Still, for a "6", this would be a great opportunity!

~WB

To IM pros: is this tubular frame the sller speaks of the same type of frame that IM is using now? Or is this an earlier type?

He does say it is a blast to drove & handles well.

Being built in 92 it does have the modern tube frame. It's hard to believe but my 1989 IM 911 wide body had a tube frame. If you notice the emergency brake is mounted on the side of the tunnel also.

it must get 75 miles to a tank with that little vw tank and that monster powerplant.

smokin' deal (so far)

He uses the phrase "coach build" and Henry sells coach bulds without engine or driveline. So what salvage car donated the parts in what condition?

He also says he's had it about a year and that it has new clutch etc. new carb rebuilds and more. He's spent a lot of money and now he's giving up.

Someone didn't care for it very well . The radio is pulled, there's no lenses on the front turn sigs, signal lights inop, a/c questionable, and who knows how much more.

Was the oil changed? 911 engines spin their IMS bearing just like the boxer engine but with less fanfare and a repair could mean a new engine case. Just resealing the engine can run over $5k. A buyer needs more than that it runs - plenty of 911's run lousy, needing expensive fixes to maybe be right. What was it someone said? "All German cars are $50,000 cars meaning even if you get one for $5k you'll spend the remainder of the $50k to repair it.

If it was out here I'd see about going to see it and I'd look with a very jaundiced eye because that initial $20k could mean double that much or more to get the car as good as it sounds in an eBaY listing.

I thought the 4 lug wheels - screams original rear VW drum brakes. I'd want it to stop as well as it goes.

I noticed a push button starter to the left of the steering wheel which could mean electrical issues.

That's IM's old push button is for washer fluid. The newer models have nicer buttons and knobs.

Ken - the 911 engine does not have IMS issues. It is the 996 and Boxster engines. The older, air cooled engines, do not suffer that problem.

Thank heavens...

Then again, reseal etc., is as noted, not for the faint of wallet. Still... 20K for a driver quality IM-6 Roadster with a/c? Mmmmm....

angela

I see no one took the plunge...

I took the plunge! Made a deal after the Ebay auction ended with no takers. Picking the car up next week so I'll know more then. I've been waiting for IM-6 fixer and one finally showed up. The car was ordered originally with a 901 trans and a T-4 engine so someone plugged the 6 in there down the line.

Congrats on the IM, let us know when you get it and how it stands up to the auction ad info.

Good for you. Can't wait to hear your impressions and see a new topic with plenty of pix of this car.

Welcome to the Madness, Terry!

Thanks, but I was crazy before this as I also have a tube frame CMC wide body with a Saab turbo mid-engine that will need to go eventually, the wife ya know. Pictures coming when I can.

(CMC wide body with a Saab turbo mid-engine) keep me in mind. Alan drclockATpa.net

Did I hear the words Saab Turbo and SOLD mentioned?

PICs Terry! PICS!

angela

Congrats Terry, looks like a fun car.

Tim

good to see this one picked up by a soc poster -
.
sounds like a neat car - I'll look forward to hearing more!
.
RickJ

Ok folk, finally got some eye candy. Tube frame with coilovers and discs all around. Double wishbone front suspension with Rabbit rack and pinion steering. Saab 900 turbo drivetrain (frt. wheel drive) transplated to rear wheel drive. Estimated 170-180 HP with intercooler and Saab APC (Automatic Power Control),an amazing engine management system. It's a rocket! May be available to a new owner sometime soon.

hmmmmmm :~)

btw ...what are those wheels?

They look almost like something off a Hollywood Batmobile yeah. Acually they're some 15X6 Chevy bolt wheels from PepBoys.

That looks VERY interesting. Someone did some nice work.

Well, that.s certainly something different.

Huh?

Thanks Lane. I spent 1 year building this from a fair assembled CMC kit on a custom frame built in Detroit. It was pretty UGLY; plywood door panels, woodgrain dash, black gelcoat with 1/2" gaps on the doors. As far as I know it's the only one in the world with Saab Turbo mid-engine power.

AWESOME job putting your car together,Terry! Looks great!

Thanks Jim,

On the IM, I fly in to Atlanta tomorrow to pick it up and drive to Orlando (a good 6hr. test drive). Wish me luck! The seller says she runs like a sewing machine so we'll see. I'll give an update after the run.

Have fun, be Safe!

Well I'm a new IM-6 owner. I flew to Atlanta and looked at the car and test drove it. I don't know that the guy misrepresented the car or not, I think he just didn't know anything about Porsches. The car ran poorly as far as the carbs (triple Zeniths) but drove okay on the road. I spend an hour trying to tune the carbs but no such luck. So much for the $1000.00 rebuild. The tranny snycros are pretty much shot in 1-3. I about backed out of the deal but made another deal and drove the thing to Orlando, Fla. The speedo started screaming about 45 mins. out so disconnected it. It idled at an estimated 1800 rpm. The carbs would quit popping around 70 mph, maybe. No tach or speedo. Started getting brake pull the last 2 hrs. Made it after driving all day. It was not fun in traffic. I pulled the carbs later and the right one is shot. One butterfly is at a different angle to the others and a homemade coupler put in plus a bent butterfly! One out of the 3 acc. nozzles worked. Other carb needs work also. If I wasn't a Porsche mechanic I would have walked away. Buyer BEWARE.

The car is stored for now as I locate parts for a teardown. Anybody got a 6 cyl tach, CD box and Zenith core parts?

Hmmmm? I love the color! Wonder why?

Terry, this may sound silly, but I'm glad you're not in over your head. There are several folks on here who are Porsche mechanics also (I'm NOT one) who can probably help you source parts. I'd suggest Pelican is probably a good place to start.

Maybe you could go straight to Intermeccanica; Henry might possibly have some parts just lying around.

Good luck. I'm glad that car went to a guy who'll treat it better than the last person (apparently) did!

Henry Bieker (Bieker Enginering) may have zenith parts. There are other sources but I'd try him first as the truly best source with zenith bits comeing out of their ears is the truly worst place to do business on the planet... If you absolutely can't get anything from Bieker, than the hose monsters at Motor Meister do sell carb parts. Don't let them touch your carbs - just have them ship you parts. If you talk to Mr. Bieker, let him know the lady who dropped the PMO's off last April says "hi" and "please finish my carbs."

Check the linkage - you probably know that, but they will never tune otherwise. The are all fubared. I believe the PMO linkage is a direct replacement. Richard at PMO could answer that for certain. Replacing it would take all the silliness out of fixing a 40-45 year old linkage and ensure proper wear on the ball socket.

You'll love the zeniths. Much better carb for a street car than the weber.

Sounds like you got a neat car and you're capable of making it a great one! Please post pics!

angela

I hope Angela won't get mad at me Terry,but she was a life saver on my Intermecannica rebuild. It had a 3.0 fuel inj. motor with a 915 5 speed. Listen to her.....it saved us a lot of trouble.

Thanks for the encouragement guys and gals. I've been doing this for a long time but sometimes it's easy to get discouraged. It is a solid car and will be excellent eventually. I found a Zenith carb body on the Pelican so I'm on the way to reconditioning and tuning these carbs. Unfortunately I'm a thousand miles away and probably not getting back to the car till April-May (surf season now in Puerto Rico ya know). Patience grasshopper! Gives me time to accumulate trim items and parts.

Happy Holidays