It was of course too good to be true and when I look real close the carpets they do not look like IM's install. Also I doubt that Henry would put that kind of exhaust on one of his rigs. However it seems like a nice basic car and I have someone who builds frames for VWs. Anyone in SD who could look at it? I pay for gas and lunch?
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Kinda looks like 1 bid @ $14,900 took it just like the ad says.
FWIW, this car very easily could have been a California Intermeccanica. Henry's dad, Frank Reisner started Intermeccanica in post-war Turin, Italy as a coach-builder making original bodies to put on production running-gear. He moved the family to California and began selling the original 356 speedster kits (almost exclusively for owner construction) in the '70s. These cars were all pan-based.
He sold those molds to CMC, and moved to Canada and began producing 356 Convertible Ds ("Roadsters") in the '80s. In the beginning these cars were pan-based as well, but I believe they no longer offered their cars in pure "kit" form after the Canadian move. In about 1984 or so, Frank and Henry went to a frame made exclusively of box-steel. Intermeccanica did not build speedsters again until the early 2000s (production until that time was Roadsters). All of these late-model speedsters have roll-up windows. Intermeccanica 356 replicas have continued to evolve and improve over the years, but there has been some big milestones along the way.
So, this car could be an Intermeccanica-- but it is clearly a California, pan-based kit. Lots of these cars were finished really well. Lots are now nearly 40 years old. Even if a car is (correctly) advertised as an Intermeccanica, if it dates from the California IM period, it probably doesn't share very much in common with Henry Reisner's modern product.
Unless seller post pictures of the cast engine/hood hinges that say INTERMECCANICA and an IM id plaque - I'd say its a nicely done CMC/FF. The cast hibachi single piece aluminum grille with one center cross bar and seats are sure giveaways to it being a CMC. IM used a built up grill with 3 cross bars like the OEM 356's.
Unless seller post pictures of the cast engine/hood hinges that say INTERMECCANICA and an IM id plaque - I'd say its a nicely done CMC/FF. The cast hibachi single piece aluminum grille with one center cross bar and seats are sure giveaways to it being a CMC. IM used a built up grill with 3 cross bars like the OEM 356's.
I emailed the guy yesterday and asked him if he was sure it was an IM and if he had any documentation, but he has not responded. Regardless, it looks like a pretty nice car for the price.
I emailed the guy yesterday and asked him if he was sure it was an IM and if he had any documentation, but he has not responded. Regardless, it looks like a pretty nice car for the price.
The seller added a comment addressing this at the bottom, Troy. He has no idea who built the car, or who's kit it was.
Kinda looks like 1 bid @ $14,900 took it just like the ad says.
Bidding ends in 10 hours, Rich. It might sell for $15K, it might go higher.
Well, it's kinda odd. The add states $14,900 takes it. If you click on the "1 bid" to see who it was and then try to get back to the ad, it goes bonkers...not that I'm really interested, I just find the eBay ad a little odd.
Unless seller post pictures of the cast engine/hood hinges that say INTERMECCANICA and an IM id plaque - I'd say its a nicely done CMC/FF. The cast hibachi single piece aluminum grille with one center cross bar and seats are sure giveaways to it being a CMC. IM used a built up grill with 3 cross bars like the OEM 356's.
Wolfgang, this car has a hibachi grill and is definitely not a CMC/FF
That was funny Rusty... I'm getting hungry!
Speedster "D" Chow-time!
Unless you like beef tartare you should avoid them cooked on this grill. The only heat would be from the sunshine since there is a trunk underneath the bonnet. 
Too.........many.........badges........!! Is that a air intake or a badge rack???lol...
