Good read about IM Founder Frank Reisner

Vancouver-based Intermeccanica International Inc., was Frank Reisner

The U.S. firm failed, so Frank began completing his cars in Italy, using Ford V-8s and running gear. He called them Italias, and by 1970 Intermeccanica had built more than 500.

Along the way Intermeccanica also built many special low-production and one-off projects. Three Intermeccanica cars were displayed at the 1969 New York auto show.

Intermeccanica

Still enthralled by Porsches, Frank developed a replica of the 1959 356A Convertible D. Urged by his former Montreal Italia importer, now in Vancouver, Frank came to Vancouver in 1981 and formed Intermeccanica International Inc. to build replicas.

Early Canadian Intermeccanica Porsche replicas used shortened Volkswagen Beetle floorpans with a sub-frame added. Frank designed a stiffer tubular steel frame, providing a sturdier platform for the body and torsion-bar, trailing-arm suspension. Using shorter torsion bars moved the engine/transaxle 75 mm forward for improved weight distribution and better handling than the original Porsche.

The company now builds replicas of Convertible Ds, and 1955-

While many hopefuls have tried to start a car company and failed, Frank Reisner succeeded. Although total production wouldn

The '66-68 Omega Italia with Ford 289 was a car equivalent to the Detomaso Pantera - Italian design but very unique. Not a replica of anything.

http://www.californiaclassix.com/archive/68_Omega_c460.html

Your excellent read about Frank Reisnor is like a mirror of the kit car industry itself. Automotive ingenuity and manufacturing ability is seldom coupled with those who have a sound business ability. Not an insult, merely a fact of automotive history. I have many kit car periodicals from the 70s and 80s. Most of those companies died an early, and for some a very deserved, death.

Did you know that Sochiro Honda was a miserable failure at the first two or three automotive ventures he started? When asked to what he ascribed his ultimate success to, he humbly stated that he had, " failed his way to success".

Good article, Martyu---always interesting to see the heritage of some cars.

I thought that they slighted C.B. Performance who makes excellent engines for 90% of the IMs---not to mention the great Subaru transplants, 6 cyl 911 engines and almost whatever a buyer wants for a powerplant. Great article---I saved it for my "historical" file.

Thanks for sharing this.

What's the planned delivery date for your car?

Jack, that article is several years old. They probably are referring to the cases when mentioning Brazil and Mexico.

Yeah---maybe so. Thanks again.