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| Intermeccanica Italia Spyder 1968 |
Knowledgeable sports car enthusiasts are quick to perk up when they hear the name Intermeccanica—and with good reason. The company was established in 1959 by chemical engineer Frank Reisner and his wife, Paula, and their cars combined Italian artistry with an American powertrain. The Reisners were zealous car buffs who loved sports cars and racing. They traveled to Europe and settled in Torino, Italy, where they opened their company and began manufacturing aftermarket speed kits. Their dream was to build beautiful performance cars, and in 1967, after a series of ownership and engineering changes within the company, the Reisners began production of the stunning Italia Spyder.
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| Intermeccanica Italia Spyder 1968 |
The first Italias were exported to the United States in 1968. The cars were unlike anything else on the market and quickly gained the attention of discerning American car lovers. However, with limited production and a dear price tag of $8,500, only the well-to-do could afford them. To many aficionados, the 1968 Intermeccanica Italia Spyder was an automotive masterpiece. The car’s “prancing bull” badging was a gracious nod to Lamborghini’s fighting bull. Its styling, which was classic Italian with vintage Ferrari undertones, was elegant. Its performance was equally impressive, as it could reach 0–60 in 6.2 seconds and had a top speed of 155 mph, which was attained through a powerful and proven Ford V-8 engine. The Italia’s steel body was hand-formed, and its chassis was made from tubular steel. With fewer than 400 of these models built during its production run from 1967 to 1973, the Italia has since taken on an appealing mystique as a rare automobile.
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| Intermeccanica Italia Spyder 1968 |
The Italia Spyder presented here is a pristine example, one that has been enjoyed by a sole owner for the past 37 years. It underwent a complete restoration by the craftsmen at R&A Engineering in Manchester, Michigan, and no expense was spared, with receipts totaling more than $200,000. The consignor notes that all of the mechanical systems have been rebuilt or replaced, including the Ford V-9 engine, which has been disassembled and reconstructed, reportedly with a few performance-enhancing upgrades. The body was completely stripped, meticulously examined, and refinished in a lustrous blue tone, and all of the chrome and brightwork were re-plated. The interior was completely redone with tan leather and matching carpets. Chrome wire wheels with knock-off hubs were put on as a finishing touch. The end result is a spectacular Italia, one whose looks qualified it for display at the 2010 Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance.
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