1971 Intermeccanica Italia Spyder #50375414
SPECIFICATIONS
- MakeIntermeccanica
- ModelItalia Spyder
- Year1971
- Serial #75414
- VIN50375414
- Engine Type5.7-Litre Cleveland 351 V8
- Chassis TypeTubular
- Number Built122
- Body TypeSpyder
- Body BuilderScaglione
- First OwnerPodmers
- Current LocationCalifornia
We are pleased to offer 1971 Intermeccanica Italia Spyder s/n 75414, one of only 122 Scaglione bodied Italia spyders. Thanks to the sleek body lines penned by former General Motors designer Robert Cumberford, and panelwork by body builder Franco Scaglione, the Italia Spyder features a long, low hood line, a compact cabin and an abrupt cutoff Kamm tail rear – trademark styling of other 1970s supercars such as the Ferrari Daytona Spider and the Maserati Ghibli spyder. Franco Scaglione had previous bodied the Alfa BAT series, the Alfa Sprint Speciale and the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale, all stunning examples of Italian styling at its best. Abundant power was supplied with new 351 Ford Mustang engines, transmissions and rear axles shipped directly to Italia in Turino, and so Italia s/n 75414 was powered from new by an ultra-dependable 5.7-liter Cleveland 351 V8. Thanks to power steering, a silky-smooth gearbox, a light clutch and A/C, the Italia Spyder is user-friendly, easy to drive and certainly has no lack of power. While the Italia was easily capable of the supercar performance levels of the Ferrari Daytona Spider and the Maserati Ghibli spyder, the Italia was also known for its drivability at both low and high speeds, as well as its predictable, balanced and forgiving handling characteristics, attributable to near-perfect weight distribution and a low center of gravity. The lightweight small block Ford 351 was mounted deep in the chassis, permitting the low hood line, while a stiff suspension ensured that the tires did not foul the wheel arches.
1971 Intermeccanica Italia Spyder s/n 75414 had only two very, very long term owners, and was delivered new to Jeff Podmers, an Engineer with General Dynamics, who kept the car through moves from Los Angeles to Phoenix to Fort Worth, Texas. In 1990, Italia s/n 75414 was sold to its second Dallas-based owner, Jay Shaff, a former US air force F5 pilot, and now retired Delta pilot. In 1992, Jay Shaff had the steering and brakes updated by Bob Minette with a stock car power steering unit and Wildwood brakes, while the bullet-proof Ford 9″ rear end was updated with a clutch-pack differential. The original Cleveland 351 was updated by Wayne Calvert of Calvert Racing Engines, Denton, Texas. Edelbrock Proformer aluminum heads were fitted with Crane roller-rocker arms, an Edelbrock Proformer cam & kit, Melling oil pump, windage tray, Holman-Moody valve covers, a flow-tested Holley 4-barrel and hand-fitted stainless steel headers and stainless steel exhaust system, all backed up by a bullet-proof Tremec 5-speed gearbox. The car is as immaculate underneath as it is on top. A new Griffin aluminum radiator was fitted and the engine bay was extremely well sorted and detailed. An ATL Fuel cell was hidden in the trunk. Power is in the 430 hp range and will easily light up the rear tires in second, third and fourth gears.
Jay Schaff was inspired by the similar lines of the famed Neri & Bonacini Nembo spyders (s/n 1623, s/n 1777 and s/n 3771), and so the original Italia bodywork was modified by Raymond Chovanetz, Mastercraft Auto Creations, Ovilla Texas. The peaks in the upper front fenders were smoothed, the upper nose was subtly reshaped, an egg-crate grille was fitted and the headlight covers and trim rings were flush mounted. Triple fender side vents were hand formed and both the bumpers and the hood scoop were reshaped in a style very similar to the Neri & Bonacini Nembo Spyders. A quick fill outside fuel filler was added and round “Ferrari-style” taillights were fitted. The dash, door panels, seats and carpets were done in Connolly leather, the canvas top is new, a period correct Nardi steering wheel was fitted and the Jaeger instruments were rebuilt by Palo Alto Instruments. The finished car was mounted on custom built Borrani 15″ X 8″ wire wheels and Pirelli 205 x 70 x 15 Super Touring P4000 tires. The trunk is exceptionally well trimmed and detailed and the spare is a matching Borrani with the correct Pirelli tire.
1971 Intermeccanica Italia Spyder s/n 75414 was featured in a seven page spread in Auto Italia magazine issue # 206, April, 2013, pages 24 to 30 (PDF on file, e-mail us for a copy), and comes with several hundred photos that detail each step of the restoration work. The odometer shows just over 66,353 miles, although very few miles are since the restoration was completed. The car is fitted with all the desirable options, most of which have been upgraded to modern equipment, including an aluminum radiator, custom fitted Borrani wire wheels, modern air conditioning, electric windows and user-friendly power steering.
1971 Intermeccanica Italia Spyder s/n 75414, one of only 122 Scaglione bodied Italia spyders. 1971 Intermeccanica Italia Spyder s/n 75414 had only two very, very long term owners. In 1990 Italia s/n 75414 was sold to its second Dallas-based owner. In 1992 Jay Shaff had the steering and brakes updated with a stock car power steering unit and Wildwood brakes, while the bullet-proof Ford 9″ rear end was updated with a clutch-pack differential. The original Cleveland 351 was updated by Calvert Racing Engines, Denton, Texas. Edelbrock Proformer aluminum heads were fitted with Crane roller-rocker arms, an Edelbrock Proformer cam & kit, Melling oil pump, windage tray, Holman-Moody valve covers, a flow-tested Holley 4-barrel and hand-fitted stainless steel headers and stainless steel exhaust system, all backed up by a bullet-proof Tremec 5-speed gearbox. The car is as immaculate underneath as it is on top. A new Griffin aluminum radiator was fitted and the engine bay was extremely well sorted and detailed. An ATL Fuel cell was hidden in the trunk. Power is in the 430 hp range and will easily light up the rear tires in second, third and fourth gears. Jay Schaff was inspired by the similar lines of the famed Neri & Bonacini Nembo spyders (s/n 1623, s/n 1777 and s/n 3771), and so the original Italia bodywork was modified by Mastercraft Auto Creations, Ovilla, Texas. The peaks in the upper front fenders were smoothed, the upper nose was subtly reshaped, an egg-crate grille was fitted and the headlight covers and trim rings were flush mounted. Triple fender side vents were hand formed and both the bumpers and the hood scoop were reshaped in a style very similar to the Neri & Bonacini Nembo Spyders. A quick fill outside fuel filler was added and round “Ferrari-style” taillights were fitted. The dash, door panels, seats and carpets were done in Connolly leather, the canvas top is new, a period correct Nardi steering wheel was fitted and the Jaeger instruments were rebuilt by Palo Alto Instruments. The finished car was mounted on custom built Borrani 15″ X 8″ wire wheels and Pirelli 205 x 70 x 15 Super Touring P4000 tires. The trunk is exceptionally well trimmed and detailed and the spare is a matching Borrani with the correct Pirelli tire. 1971 Intermeccanica Italia Spyder s/n 75414 was featured in a seven page spread in Auto Italia magazine issue # 206, April, 2013, pages 24 to 30, and comes with several hundred photos that detail each step of the restoration work. The odometer shows just over 66,353 miles, although very few miles are since the restoration was completed. The car is fitted with all the desirable options, most of which have been upgraded to modern equipment, including an aluminum radiator, custom fitted Borrani wire wheels, modern air conditioning, electric windows and user-friendly power steering.
S/n 5037414. Intermechanicca Italia Spyder. One of only 122 Italia convertibles made with the Ford 351 engine, A/C and P/W.
1971, shipped new to IMI Inc., 9372 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA, the Intermechanicca importer. General manager was Ray Fischer.
1971, sold new to Jeff and Beverly Podmers. Jeff Podmers was an engineer with General Dynamics. Mr. Podmers kept the car while he was transferred from Los Angeles to Phoenix and later to Dallas Fort Worth.
1990, sold to Jay Shaff, a retired 20,000 hour US air force F5 pilot and later a Delta pilot.
1992, steering and brakes updated by Bob Minette with a stock car power steering unit and Wildwood brakes while the bullet-proof Ford 9″ rear end was updated with a clutch-pack differential.
2000, the original Cleveland 351 was updated by Wayne Calbert of Calbert Racing Engines, Denton, Texas. Edelbrock aluminum heads were fitted, with a matched cam and intake manifold, a flow-tested Holley 4-barrel and hand fitted headers, all backed up by a bullet-proof Tremec 5-speed gearbox. A new Aluminum radiator was fitted and the engine bay is extremely well sorted and detailed. Power is in the 430 hp range and will easily light up the rear tires in second, third and fourth gears.
2000–2010, the original Italia bodywork was modified by Raymond Chovanetz, Mastercarft Auto Creations, Ovilla, Texas. Jay Schaff was inspired by the similar lines of the famed Neri & Bonacini Nembo spyders (s/n 1623, s/n 1777 and s/n 3771). The peaks in the upper front fenders were smoothed, the upper nose was subtly reshaped, an egg-crate grille was fitted and the headlight covers and trim rings were flush mounted. Triple fender side vents were hand formed and both the bumpers and the hood scoop were reshaped in a style very similar to the Neri & Bonacini Nembo Spyders. An quick fill outside fuel filler was also added. A stainless steel exhaust system was fitted. The dash, door panels, seats and carpets were done in Connolly leather, the canvas top is new, a period correct Nardi steering wheel was fitted and the Jaeger instruments were rebuilt by Palo Alto Instruments. The finished car was mounted on custom built Borrani 15″ X 8″ wire wheels and Pirelli 205 x 70 x 15 Super Touring P4000 tires.
2014, 07 Apr., sold to third owner, Longview, Texas.
2015, May, on consignment with Mike Sheehan’s Ferraris Online LLC.
