IM replica WANTED!!!!!!!!!

I live in the northeast and I want a conv D rep, by IM with roll up windows, can anyone point me in the direction of one, they are hard to find, and I don't have unlimited money, an older one is fine, or in need of cosmetics is fine too, thanks

Jane,

Henry at Intermeccanica may be a good contact for you. He often hears of good used IM's for sale, often from people moving into a new car. Try him at henry@intermeccanica.com Feel free to tell him I suggested the contact.

Or .... Look for a Roadster like you were asking about.

thanks everybody, this site is unbelievable, all the things I investigate tp learn about, used to take me forever, asking everyone I know, now I click in my question and bingo it never fails, someone right away with insight, been on for a couple of days and can't believe what I've learned. I just wish I could find more IM roadster for sale, My CMC I had for 5 years had to go and I just can't deal with those side curtains anymore, besides I want to enjoy the car by being able to drive her more often and being in Pa., I really need heat, I know I ask for too much don't I, where has my die hard driving spirit disolved too when I hit 40?

Jane, if you get an IM Roadster, you won't be sorry. I love mine, very comfortable, extremely well built, great visibility. As Dale pointed out on the other thread, the rear window zips out, so you can use the top like a Bimini when the sun gets too hot.

You might want to check the IM dealer back east (I think they are in the Carolina's but not exactly sure), they stock some cars and are pretty active in the market.

thanks Bill, even it's a really old one, a woman has it in Seattle, and it needs paint, carpet, top. I wouldn't even consider it if it wasn't IM, or at least without paying a lot less, it's just that the IM's are hard to find and I can't do without roll up windows, so I'm making the best out of it needing so much work actually because then I'll be able to change the color scheme and have exactly what I want. But its just that I would like to compARE TO others, I'm not used to buying the first one I see, I enjoy looking at severaland then knowing that when I find the right one, I really know it is, but this is the first one that I saw that wasn't sold, and I'm afraid that if I don't act I'll be looking a long time, and I'm not in the higher end regarding price which adds to my difficulty.

Jane,
Seriously, give Henry a call. 604-872-4747 is the shop phone number. He is a wonderful guy and may know where to find what you are looking for. He has also refurbished several older cars, so there is that possibility for that Seattle car. Good luck and tell him that Bill and Dale sent you. Mostly Bill ;-)

Well, I took your advice and called Henry, you were right , very nice guy, and the bottom line is: I need to satisfy my curiosity and fly to the west coast and drive the car. As many have stated, I'm sure I wouldn't be dissapointed with this 1980 model, esp. he said what I used to have, a CMC, but is it reaaly what I want, meaning it is a very different animal from the newer ones, and in my mid 40's I've now officially have become a creature of comfort. Once called the die hard free spirit driving air cooled beasts in sub zero temps and questioning others dedication to the love of their beloved car, I now have conformed, oh God, the thought of it is awful, but be that what it may, I want to really enjoy driving my roadster, and part of that for me is, really comfortable seats, high quality top, with minimal air infiltration, and maybe even a/c. I know I won't be dissapointed in it, but the bigger question is, Is it what I really want. Or after redoing all the cosmetics, paint, door panels, seats, steering wheel, gauges, could I have bought one a lot newer. Oh well, everything is a gamble I guess

If you are anywhere near NJ, I can help out with some recommendations with regards to the refurbishing. My first tub went from a POS to a Prom Queen in about a year. The first time around, I worked pretty hard to sort out the quality shops that can do a 99 point Tub and not waste your time or money.

Best of luck to you in your hunt and if I could toss out a piece of experience: do not be too reluctant to pull the trigger if your potential purchase feels right. I missed a couple of cool toys in the past thinking something better might come along. Using each of those life lessons, I grabbed my D when it came up for sale and I have no regrets for doing so!

Jane, on your trip out west, if you end up anywhere near San Francisco, you are certainly welcome to come by and drive my Roadster. It is a 2005 model with a lot of creature comforts, so beware, it may push your "do not exceed price bar" up a little when you are done driving it.

I just put Electronic Fuel Injection on my car, so it is getting farther and farther away from the primitive Speedster that was its real forerunner. The guys around here that have Replica Speedster's are always taking shots about it's feminine orientation (I guess versus the manly style of a speedster). Being a female, you won't have to suffer such abuse.

The good new for me is when it rains, I can see behind me.

Seeing behind you is vastly over-rated, Princess!

Dale,

Is Scott's Roadster still available?

Scott's roadster was really nice, but I'm guessing $30K at least???
I hustled back into the old listing it was $29K. If it were available it would be a plum!

Jane, disregard the brute calling me a princess, he is just jealous of my panoramic rear window.

It's what's in front of you, especially in Paul's T-4 Rocket.

Call Henry before you buy anything!

Bill does have a lovely rear window! Roadster guys have it all!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1959-porsche-356-model-D-roadster-replica_W0QQitemZ4595867582QQcategoryZ6428QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I just saw this one on ebay

hey thanks chris, I'm glued to e-bay I think, I don't know how I missed it

Definitely looks decent Jane!! Very reasonable price too!!...too low I would think!!! Maybe it's a buyers' market right now because of the winter weather....

Jane, obviously I can't speak for the whole car by looking at it on an EBay ad, but a look at the steering wheel and seats, says it was owned by someone, how do I say this delicately, with less than conventional taste. If I were you, I would have to have a pretty close look in person before I bought that particular IM.

Pass.

this appears to be a "no reserve" auction, which is a good thing,
if the price stays low, could be a good deal, pictures are NOT necessarily worth a thousand words.....especially where cars are concerned....
I have bought many cars on ebay....just be careful, perhaps you can have someone in the area check it out for you.....

I second the Pass.

Anyone that puts up a car for sale with a pic of a dirty, dusty engine like that... well, the repair/restore list may be bigger than what you may want to pay. An engine shouldn't look like that on any given day unless it's in a sand buggy. That engine picture is worth a thousand words. So is the interior shot.

thats the current bid, it will probably sell for 10k-12k, maybe more...

Jim has an excellent point! I took a second look at that motor and thought the exact same thing. Like wise is true for the interior. Overall that car should be much, much cleaner or at least have a bit of a shine, if it truly underwent a 2004 resto and from my recent exposure to IM cars that sure does not look like

If it goes for 8-12K this is an excellent find. Steering wheel? $200.00 and you got a steering wheel. The seats are the early correct although uncomfortable as sin seats but that can be rebuilt easily over the winter. I did at an upholstery place. Engine looks OK, relatively new 1776?? Dual carb, nice! don't like the color? Well for the price of this car, get a bodyshop to do some work.

If you are looking for one why not ask someone to go and look at it. We SpeedsterOwners are everywhere.

I agree with Jim (haven't been doing that lately) the pic's don't look all that impressive, but it comes down to the final price, it could be a good deal if its cheap enough.....have someone look at it.

It does seem a little strange that somebody would offer a car for sale, take pictures of it and post them in a public venue and not take the time to make it look spic-n-span. Is this indicative of the overall kind of care that the car received during its lifetime? Hard to say. At the very least the person should offer a detailed service record even if it is owner serviced. If the seller hesitates about doing that, walk away with great vigor.
JMHO
Hoss

really I think the whole add copy doesn't really give too much detailed information, a quick summary with no realy detail, is he a politican or what, with most potential buyers being of great distance not making it easy to see the car in person you would think he would want to be as clear and detailed as posible, to me this isn't a good sign right away, and really why was the car painted, to me its not really a plus, did he paint it with intentions of looking better to sell the car and if so was it a quality paint job, I don't know maybe I'm too skeptical, read too much into things but when I describe something for a potential sight inseen sale, I give a description as intricately detailed as could be, anyway I loath the colr combination anyway, I know just like a woman to focus on cosmetics, no but really there is something about the car that just is wrong, I can't pinpoint it, I know I don't like the bumper without the trim, and especially on a white car, nothing to accent it, I know it looks albino, don't know if thats the spelling, but it's just so bland.

I'm with Mike and Vince on this one. Remember these cars are fiberglass so there's no rust to hide under bodywork and paint. If you don't like the color send it away to be painted the color you want. Accesories such as bumper guards and steering wheels can be bought from different suppliers and are not that expensive. Same with interiors. The hard work, shortening the chassis and fitting the body, has been done; so it's a matter of tweaking it to taste and if you can get it cheap enough it's a deal; plus it's an Intermec and you know they're good.

I'm a former IM owner and buyer on ebay....this one just isn't as nice as most IM's.

It needs to sell fairly low and you need to be willing to do a restoration.

Run away.

I hear you, and it probably won't go low enough for me, relatively to others for sure but to actually buy this one I think I'd be cutting myself short by not being patient enough to wait.

the one that Henry referred me to in Seattle is an 85, mechanically great, cosmetically lacking(needing everything), and frankly I'd much prefer buying one such as that because in this case I wouldn't be paying up front for someone elses potentially shotty paint job and poor interior work. For what only to pay more to change the things. This way I'll have exactly what I want because I can get it done myself and I'll know what I have, rather than a year or so down the road whatching it fade because of cheap clearcoat or worse someone who doesn't have exp with gel coats and the clearcoat might start to peel. Maybe I'm reading too much into it but a potential new member of my German roadster trio has to meet certain criteria along with a gut feeling of it being the "right one," so onward I go in the "thrill of the hunt"

Jane, a few friends of mine collect cars semi-professionally. That is, they have a car collection and constantly are buying and selling cars, adding and replacing ones in their collection. I guess my point is, these guys buy and sell a lot of cars.

Their advice on this subject is to always buy the best example available. They explain that even a 100 point concours car that has just gone through a three year restoration will sell for less than what the owner has invested. That is, the most recent work on a car takes the biggest and fastest hit value wise.

If you buy something that needs a lot of work, you will most certainly spend more getting it to where you want it, than if you buy something someone else has poured their heart, soul and pocket book into and has recently changed interests. I think that is especially true with these cars.

I would go around and get realistic quotes for all the work you think you might need to get done on a car that may come your way, add that all up with the expected price you will pay, factor in the down time you will face (multiply that by 3x what they tell you it will take time wise (and maybe price wise as well)) and you have a reasonable idea of an apples for apples comparison.

I know my friends would tell you, don't do it yourself, buy one that is done.

One last bit of advice: anyone giving you advice on these forums, should have pictures of their car on this site. Take a look at each person's personal rig and if you like what you see, weight that in taking or not taking their advice. There are a lot of guys on this site driving real beaters, handing out free advice all over the place. Anyone with no pictures, just ignore whatever they say.

Bill - Free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it regardless of source. There are distinctly different owners on this Forum - those who buy a completed turnkey car and those to whom it is a hobby and prefer to start with a kit or a used vehicle and customize it to their exact tastes. Some can't change their own oil or adjust their valves -- or simply prefer to pay someone else to do it. This diversity is what makes the Forum so interesting. The range of our cars is from classic, wide body, "rat" racer to prestine white glove. When I first read Jane's requirements, I thought, sounds like you would be happier with a Audi TT convertible, BMW Z3/Z4, VW Convertible, MB SLK or Porsche Boxster --- depending on how deep her pockets are. My Speedster will probably never be done - like water color painting, it's a hobby so don't want it to be finished.

Wolfgang, free advice can be very valuable, it is the source that creates its value.

err...... never mind!