*HELP* manufacturers id needed

Ok folks, I'm a newbie but I am intent on getting one of these beautiful Speedster replicas. I've looked at several in my area (Southern California) from new to used. But several of the used models I've looked at, the current owner (seller) never has any idea who manufactured their car. Is there any way of recognizing the manufacturer of the car? I don't see any body stampings nor a plaque riveted in some place. If anyone knows, please help

Glenn,
There are specific visual differences in the cars made by the various manufacturers - too many to list here - but, when inspecting used replicas, it's often difficult to know who, specifically, built the car. It may be a kit car put together by the first owner; it may be a turnkey, handbuilt by one of the major builders.
The best used car buying advice holds true for replicas, too. If you don't know a lot about cars, be sure that you have someone who does - carefully evaluate any car you are considering.

The best way to recognize the manufacturer if a car, is to take photos of the interior and exterior in as many different areas as possible and post them here. We can usually tell what it is. Even on tough comboes, like "Its an early CMC kit, with a Vintage Speedsters interior". Sometimes, we even recognize the actual car and can tell you some history about it.
-=theron
(Message Edited 9/27/2003 4:05:08 PM)

The early IM's have Intermeccanica cast in the rear engine lid hinges, also have an IM sticker beneath the striker plate of the drivers door.

Thanks for the pertinent tips. Where do I post pics? Here are a few pics of the car I am considering buying. Just follow this link: cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=6428&item=2434049229

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

It's not a Vintage, JPS, or recent IM. Could be an older IM or a CMC. The (incorrect) gauges and (correct) padded dash are my clues. Nice paint! I don't think I'd be nearly as worried about who built it as how nice a build it is. BTW- the auction ended early... sold perhaps?

Hey Stan,
Yeah, the auction ended early. I kinda jumped the gun and negotiated a (what I believe to be) fair price for the car. It seems very well put together, just slight inconsistencies in the door, hood & trunk gaps. But that's all. Please folks, look at the pics and tell me what other info you can gather from them. I know it's not a IM kit, as this one sits on a shortened VW pan. Also, the spare fits horizontally in front of the fuel tank. Is this normal? I viewed a Beck Motorsports Speedster and it's spare sat vertical much like a Beetle. The battery is also in front, underneath the spare tire.

I was looking for the simulated torsion bar access, but the ebay pictures didn't show that area very clearly. My old car was a CMC with Vintage guages and interior. If this one is a CMC, it looks very nicely done from the pictures. From the "buy it now" price, I think Glenn got a good deal, but as my grandfather used to say- "time will tell". Let us know how it turns out.

Glenn,
All of the early Intermecannicas were built on VW pans. But, your car looks like a CMC to me. I can't see the "simulated torsion bar" door on the car. The only cars I have seen without it, are CMCs. Yes, the spare and battery are normal.
-=theron
(Message Edited 9/28/2003 7:17:03 PM)

Thanks everyone for the incoming info. Every bit helps. I looked at the car and the little round holes for the torsion bar access are NOT there. Is that the only "birthmark" to finding if this car is in fact a CMC kit? Does CMC have a web site, and if so, what is it? Thanks again and keep it coming. I greatly appreciate it.
BTW, the car was built a little over 10 years ago according to the previous owner. I've inspected the entire undercarriage and there is absolutely no signs of any damage repair. So I'm happy about that.

Be extremely careful when evaluating a car based upon "digital photographs" posted on the internet. Digi pics make almost any car look much better than it actually may be. Specifically, it's pretty much impossible to judge a paint job via digital pictures.
There is no substitute for an in person visual inspection - either by you or your representative in the city where the car is located.

Glenn,
CMC went out of business some time ago. CMC and Fiberfab (which I understand was really ALSO CMC) were the only cars I know of with the tell-tale "no torsion tube cover" bodies. I trust you've inspected the car in person from your description of panel gaps and the undercarriage. Who actually produced the kit is not NEARLY as important as how the builder assembled the car. Its going to be difficult for you to tell what kind of build you have until you see one that's better or worse. Some kits were better than others, but how the car looks and drives NOW is a much better determinant concerning what kind of deal you got than being able to say, "its a CMC, or Vintage, or whatever". Good luck- and welcome to the club!

I'd guess an older Intermeccanica. The top is a high-bow '58 style, the fit looks very good, as if it were made for that body. I think that IM used the slider heater vents on the floor as in the pics as well as the 914/911 style VDO gauges. The front turn signals look like the IM units, but I guess anyone can use the same style. You need to check the hinges on the trunk and engine lid, If you really want to know, you might try sending a couple of pics to Henry and ask. The car looks very nice in the pictures, but just as everyone else said..... Good luck and enjoy the car.

John- I inspected the vehicle in person prior to making the purchase. I was fortunate enough to be in the same city as the seller. The appearance of the car is very beautiful, though I've only been interested in this particular hobby for a short time and have only had a chance to view one other replica manufactured by Beck.

Dale- who is Henry and what's his email?

Everybody- Thank you very much for assisting me in any way you can. I've been involved in a few automobile related hobbies and can clearly see how much I will enjoy participating in this one as well. Thanks.

Henry is the big, invisible white rabbit from that Jimmy Stewart movie. Oh wait, that was Harvey. Henry is the owner of Intermeccanica and his email is Henry@Intermeccanica.com Tell him I sent ya.

I agree with Dale, it looks like an early IM, the gauges the mirror style and location, bumper gaurds, seats, door panel tops........etc.

You just never know for sure. Early IM cars also have an aluminum ratchet style stand off for the front and rear hoods as well as the Intermeccanica name on the front and rear hinges.

Looks like a nice car and a great price too. Henry should know for sure. Good luck

It is likely an early IM due to IM cast into the hinges (check the rear also), however, Henry told me when IM sold their Speedster molds to CMC that included were some spare parts such as IM hinges, so yes, a CMC can have a few odd IM parts on it. I asked Henry if there was some sort of fullproof means of identifying the early IM's and he said he honestly doesn't know, he was young at the time and unfortunately his dad has passed away.

Dale & Erik-You guys are the man! I checked my front hinges and low-n-behold, there was INTERMECHANICA molded right into the right-side hood hinge.

Theron- Guess you better ad IM to your list of cars without the torsion bar access cover. As my car doesn't have any.

Everybody-Thanks again for all the little tid bits of info, all of it helped.
(Message Edited 10/4/2003 6:53:47 AM)