Project speedster on ebay

In California, a speedster project, I would snatch it up in an instant if it were not for the shipping costs to the east
Alan M

cgi.msn.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2485326265&category=6428

Judging by the trunk,carpet and the gauges I'm almost positive that's an early pan based IM. Could end up being a steal.

I think I saw this one being sold on Ebay some time ago by an estate. If I remember correctly it was an Intermec and it had been stored for a while. Looks like it could be a good deal too.

Hey guys, I am a newby to these cars, but I have figured out that IM is the way to go. If this car was a IM , I mbelieve that it would have roll up windows, or perhaps the earlier models did not have that feature? I want to stop the auction and just buy it as I am close to Sac (Napa Valley)Maybe I should drive to Rancho Cordova today and see it. Any more advice?

This is an early IM without roll-up windows. Based on a VW pan.

If this is an IM and it does look like it. It

How are you guys able to identify that it is a IM from the pics? Yes, it certainly needs a new interior, I am assuming I can purchase a new interior from Henry at IM, gauges look weird, seats need to be replaced, I would probably swap out motor/trans depending on what the running gear is currently who knows, I am going to call Silverstar next to find out more!

The trunk has 2 grooves and no battery box (looks like one was added)Thats the first clue it's an early IM. Those gauges are 914 spec but a used set of 912 gauges will go right in with no mods and look more period correct. A few years back Silverstar had a flared speedster with fuchs that they were asking $6900 for. If this car sells for around the same price then that's a pretty good deal.

Thanks Kurt,

Would love to meet you sometime. Hey, I am up in Napa Valey, perhaps if I pick up this car (or the IM car for sale in Conn) I will host a rally! I am calling Silverstar now, thank you!

I just spoke with SS, they would stop auction for 9,000. Hmmmm....I am going to go check it out and see what's up. Gotta lose that steering wheel and those gauges! Who knows what is going on with the brakes, motor, etc. Should be an interesting trip, wish me luck, I will be on cell for those of you who may wish to offer me any advice, thanks! James (707) 235-0807

Hey Guys! You need to check out all you can about getting a title in your state. I talked to the guys at Silverstar and they say that they DO NOT have a title to this car and the buyer Will NOT get a title from them. They will only give you a bill of sale - showing that you bought it from them, a salvage dealer - No TiTle! You'll all need to see what hoops you'll need to jump through to get it titled - if you can! GOOD LUCK!

My take is that on top of the auction price, to make me happy....
new turn key 2110 motor $2,800
new seats 400
new carpet 200
new gauges 400
probably brakes rebuild 400
paint( you do prep) 1,000
top looks shot 500
misc oil cooler, filter etc 1,000

TOTAL ADDED DOLLARS $5,700
Plus auction cost 9,000

Total plus elbow grease $15,000

Doesn't look like a "bargain" to me..I would just bid for one of the really nice low mileage "for sale" cars here by members for $17,000 or $18,000. I'm just not as in love with Sweat equity as I was when I was younger. Just my 3 cents worth !


Gclarke

10/4 on the sweat equity, Gary. Back then it was more like fun, now it's more like WORK! I spend to much time trying to figure out where that tool is I just layed down.

BD

Gary, your cost breakdown makes my car look like an even better deal at 17k ready to ride.

Dan, your speedster "IS", a bargain. If I was that other guy, I'd take my $9,000, go get a loan for $10,000, buy your speedster, pay the DMV tax, and license, pay the insurance and I'd have enough left over for a truck load of Beer. Then I could drive and enjoy the car rather than spend the next 6 months underneath it !


Gclarke

You bet they'd end the auction for 9000. They'd be smiling all the way to the bank, after taking their families to dinner in the most expensive resturant in town. I'd not spend more than 5000 for that car even if it is (????) an early IM. Dan's car is the real bargin.

I wouldn't shell out $9k for it, I'll assume that no one else will either ....wouldn't surprise me that after the auction closes and it doesn't sell, it can be had for $5k or so.... thus that makes for a decent deal!

I came, I saw it, I was disappointed, alot of work! I will list all I saw tomorrow! It is a 78 Intermeccanica registered by the state as '73 with California licensing. One word for now: rust, lots of it!

One "plus" came out of all of this.... James has enlightened us to the actual condition of the speedster.
Interesting that with in 24 hours of the original post, the speedster has been looked and by doing so, has possibly saved a group member a major headache.

I disagree with the "no sweat equity" train of thought here. Given that $9000 is WAAAYYYYYY too much, and for that matter, even $5000 is to much to qualify as a good deal, there is nothing like the feeling of doing it yourself. If I wanted a car that I didn't have to do anything to, I would go out and buy a new car. For me, the majority of the pride in owning one of these cars is the fact that I made it. I hope that I have not offended anyone here, that was not my goal, I just wanted to speak up for those of us who are builders here.

Funny thing is, Gary built a really nice car almost from scratch. I guess once was enough, though

O.K. here is the skinny on the car. I had the yard pick it up with a fork lift, rust everywhere, no pinholes, but tons of thick surface rust. The car came up from L.A., my guess is Malibu or another town on the coast. All metal work is badly pitted. Transaxle very wet along with lower engine. I noticed some recent exhaust work (has an extractor)with new clamps along with a brand new starter and voltage regulator. Four drum brakes with badly rusted metal brake lines coming off master cylinder, a few new brake hoses. I am guessing that master cylinder is shot along with wheel cylinders, hence no brakes, reservoir was empty. Front end was very rusty, I would want to remove it and replace/rebuild it. The right front lower shock mount (the stud) was broken with the shock ready to slide off with another half inch of movement, no nut, no threads (Do not drive this car!) Lots of air gaps visable between pan and body, needs to be resealed. Gauges inoperable, motor fired immediately cold and sounded o.k.. did not research trans as I was too busy looking at the rust. Funky wiring (ends twisted together to make connections and mounted poorly. Rear lenses cracked, top in disrepair, new/recent battery, battery box rusted. Paint was shiny, but crazed and cracked, no evidence of any major glass repair (fiberglass) Hubcap chrome flaking, interior needs to be redone properly. I pulled up carpet, did not see too much evidence of rust from this side but I would have preferred to pull up more carpet to inspect. Engine sheet metal missing along with seal, side curtains missing, passenger door handle button missing (actually, it is inside of door. Funky scrap metal plates under pan for driver seat mounts, very poorly done. I bet if you hit the brakes hard enough strapped in, the seat might just remove itself! Silverstar representative told me that he bought it for a little over eight thousand, (I doubt this) he wants to see how high it will go (maybe he meant on the fork lift!) I am getting hungry for Dan's car now, maybe I should fly to L.A. to see it. I have done a few restorations, but really, this car, if it could be picked up for 2,500-4000, maybe, but I would want to start off with a fresh pan and remount the body. Anybody out there still brave enough??

james, you have more patience than most. From ten feet away I would
have turned and ran.

You're right Bruce, I am! Anytime anyone is willing to pick up a car with a forklift so I can snoop, I am game. I am just learning about these cars, and thanks to Kurt and others, I am learning a lot quickly. Always something to learn through observation I guess. I just found (unadvertised) a very nice '79 IM car with extras for 9,500 bucks, with a relatively fresh motor with documentation. I think I am going to buy it! Now, I have to figure out how to justify buying Dan Palmquist's car at the same time!