Today’s car is a 1971 Intermeccanica Italia Spyder owned by Chip Israel. I photographed this car at the 2024 Seal Beach Classic Car Show in Seal Beach,CA. The car is finished in red with a black and red leather interior. It is powered by a 310 hp, 351 cu in, Ford Cleveland V8 engine, with a Holley 4-bbl carburetor mated to 4-speed Borg-Warner T-10 transmission and a Ford rear end with 3.08:1 gear ratio. Slowing this beauty down are power four-wheel disc brakes. The independent front suspension double wishbones, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers and anti-roll bar. The rear suspension is a live axle, trailing-arms, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, and providing lateral rear axle location is a Panhard rod.
It was one of the first companies that combined the best of Italian and American automotive technology, Intermeccanica was founded by Frank Reisner. The Italia was based on a Robert Cumberford design that was refined and revised by Franco Scaglione. The Spyder owes its bite to the Ford 351 Cleveland. The Italia had more displacement than a Cobra (289) and just a little more weight. The Italia was produced from 1968 to 1972 with production reaching 354 units of those an estimated 200 Spyders were built. The 1968 MSRP was $8,500.00. The published top speed of 155 MPH with a 0-60 mph time of 6.2 seconds.
This rare Italia was considered to be one of the most gorgeous cars of its time. This is a beautiful example of an original car that has have some cosmetic updates and is looking to be restored down the road or left alone and driven as is. The Italia is sure to remain highly collectible and welcome at European / Italian car shows, Cars & Coffee events, or just taking through the S’s in the canyons. Thank you for riding along. Frank
