Skip to main content

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to check and report on one of the final IM builds.  My 75 year old mother-in-law decided last year to commission an IM (!) and has been anxiously awaiting it's completion.  Due to all the changes at the company it is running a few months behind but she still hopes to take delivery of it this summer.  And she now knows that she will have one of the final internal combustion engine cars built.

Due to serendipity, last year I was buying a part for my car on Craigslist and wound up chatting with the seller when I picked it up (it was just a glovebox flashlight).  It turned out the seller was an electrician and further in to the conversation he revealed he was the electrician on staff at Intermeccanica, building wiring harnesses and various other things.  This lead to an invitation to visit the new location in New Westminister, as I had always been interested and been a fan.

After my visit I had an old brochure given to me as a souvenir and it was on my dining room table when my mother-in-law was visiting.  She asked what it was, I told her about IM and she flipped through the brochure and thought it was interesting.  A few weeks later she was off to Ireland for a trip with my wife.  Unexpectedly, during a call to check in from Ireland, she got on the line and asked me to send her 356 photos of various colour combinations.  I was quite surprised and asked why and she said "Well, I'm thinking about having one of those built and I want to see how it looks in different colours."

When she returned I took her and her husband to IM and Robert gave them a tour and explained the process and they left with more information and lots to think about.  After another trip they met with Henry and went over a lot of possible details like carpet and trim colours, special options etc.  Much to my amazement they decided to go ahead with a build and got very much in to the details, learning about all the options and tailoring the car to their vision.

You can see some of the early photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/...ms/72157673567373647 (there are more photos than this in the overall album but for some reason you can't see them here...  I'll see if I can get IM to make them public).

The car is now back from paint and looks amazing in a deep dark Porsche/Audi blue like this earlier IM (she is also going with the blue top like this one):

 

Nice Butt

The car will have a darker tan interior, chrome over riders, a Derrington wheel and a few other touches like Intermeccanica script on the tail as well as a custom "2 5 0 0" badge where the 1 6 0 0 would have been.

Power will be from an FI Subaru 2500 engine.  As she doesn't drive a stick, she has opted for an automatic.  The plan is for the car to get a Subaru auto but apparently Henry has been waiting on an adapter for the rear engine install of the transmission and it hasn't materialized.  A company in Australia is supposed to make it but Henry intends to deliver the car with a VW auto and swap it if the adapter does become available in the future.  It's a bit disappointing but it's more important that she have the car to enjoy now than wait on the part for an unknown amount of time.

If anyone has any final suggestions about things to be aware of or add, please let me know.   I also have a question I want to ask and will make a separate post in this thread about it.

-Jeff

Attachments

Images (1)
  • 25316731303_0e3a69ee36_k: Porsche Dark Blue for Westhaver
Last edited by 356Jeff
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

I want to do something special for my MIL for the car.  She considers the car art as well as a car and wants it to be a family heirloom and I wanted something on the car to commemorate it's uniqueness.  There is quite a bit unique about it, being a custom commission, 2019 being the 60th anniversary of both Intermeccanica and the Porsche Convertible D model year and being one of the last few internal combustion engine cars.  I believe it is perhaps third from the last based on serial number.

I had the idea of having a custom chassis plate made for the car and thought it would be cool to do it in the style of the plates used on the 356.  Something like the attached images.

 So silver text with black background and silver edge.  What material should this be made of so that it won't rust?  I was wondering if a trophy shop could do it or I should try one of those web service bureaus that does laser etching?

For location I was thinking either on the inner fender in the trunk or perhaps near the door hinge like the original Drauz bades?  Other ideas or thoughts?  I'm kind of leaning towards the door but bade will need to be quite small...

For text I was thinking (like the two piece bade and trying to emulate the fonts):

 

MADE IN
VANCOUVER CANADA

COMMISSIONED BY:
HER NAME &
HIS NAME

HAND ASSEMBLED BY:
NAMES OF EMPLOYEES

Thoughts?  Any other subtle and period style ways to customize and personalize the car?

-Jeff

PS - What car cover do people recommend for an IM?

Attachments

Images (3)
  • French Porsche Lubricant Plate
  • Drauz Door Plate
  • 1754_90170111105
Last edited by 356Jeff

I am very pleased to report that the finished car is finally ready for pickup today.  It did make a brief visit out of the factory for my mother-in-law's 75th birthday but a number of items weren't quite finished and some initial teething problems required attention.  It should be all set now and it's absolutely gorgeous in person and they're thrilled.

I do want to get some script made for the tail in the exactly style of the "1600 Super" badge from the originals, except it will say "2500 Super".  Does anyone have an art file or details on the dimensions or font for that script?  I need to get it in to CAD so I can get it machined or cut.

Since the photos a vintage luggage rack and coco mats have been added as they hadn't arrived before these were taken.  Oh and the gear shift is now ivory to match the other knobs. 

She needs a cover, any suggestions on car cover options? 

Here are some photos of the car:

20190920_184219 [Large)20190920_184558 [Large)20190920_184611 [Large)20190920_184621 [Large)20190920_184630 [Large)20190920_184639 [Large)20190920_184650 [Large)20190920_184714 [Large)20190920_184728 [Large)20190920_184740 [Large)20190920_184807 [Large)

Attachments

Images (11)
  • 20190920_184219 (Large)
  • 20190920_184558 (Large)
  • 20190920_184611 (Large)
  • 20190920_184621 (Large)
  • 20190920_184630 (Large)
  • 20190920_184639 (Large)
  • 20190920_184650 (Large)
  • 20190920_184714 (Large)
  • 20190920_184728 (Large)
  • 20190920_184740 (Large)
  • 20190920_184807 (Large)
David Stroud IM Roadster D posted:

Large congrats, Jeff. I have a California Car Cover and the number 12358 is stamped on it. Perfect fit. 

You may know this but your convertible roof will stow down much lower than what you show in these pics. 

Thanks for the cover details, I'll get that ordered for them.

They were actually wondering about the top.  It didn't seem right but it wasn't obvious if there was a trick to getting it lower.  Anything special or is it likely we just need to push harder because its new and tight material?

-Jeff

IaM-Ray posted:

How about showing us the engine bay and the Frunk nice car

Car was ready for delivery today, but they can't get by to pick it up until Friday (they are local).  Once they have it back in their garage I'll get some engine and frunk shots.  There were some initial issues with the frunk not locking/staying shut and then getting stuck shut so that was on the list to correct between these photos and now.  I think it's just a latch adjustment, but they ended up locked out of the frunk/gas area which was another reason they didn't drive it much before they took it back.

356Jeff posted:
David Stroud IM Roadster D posted:

Large congrats, Jeff. I have a California Car Cover and the number 12358 is stamped on it. Perfect fit. 

You may know this but your convertible roof will stow down much lower than what you show in these pics. 

Thanks for the cover details, I'll get that ordered for them.

They were actually wondering about the top.  It didn't seem right but it wasn't obvious if there was a trick to getting it lower.  Anything special or is it likely we just need to push harder because its new and tight material?

-Jeff

You may need to just work the top mechanism a bit more,  it could be tight.  

Make sure the center of the front windshield edge does not rub against the back when you have it closed or you will prematurely wear the top canvas on the edge.  I had that on my old IM. 

Here's a couple of pics of mine right now, Jeff. Note the angle of the lower bar. You may want to get an assistant to work the opposite side while you work your side down a bit. Make sure there's nothing obstructing underneath anything too. Did you unzip the window and fold it down out of the way ? My car is an older one made back in '92 but I don't think that matters as the folding mechanism looks about the same. My car came with some basic instructions on the lowering method. 

Attachments

Images (3)
  • IMG_0481
  • IMG_0482
  • IMG_0484
Last edited by David Stroud IM Roadster D
David Stroud IM Roadster D posted:

Here's a couple of pics of mine right now, Jeff. Note the angle of the lower bar. You may want to get an assistant to work the opposite side while you work your side down a bit. Make sure there's nothing obstructing underneath anything too. Did you unzip the window and fold it down out of the way ? My car is an older one made back in '92 but I don't think that matters as the folding mechanism looks about the same. My car came with some basic instructions on the lowering method. 

Thanks, David.  My MIL happened to be here when I saw this so I showed it to her so she could see what it should look like.  "That's more like it." 

This afternoon they went back and picked up the car for the official finished delivery.  My FIL drove it home and they had their first "gas station conversation" of the many to come.  A guy fueling a brand new pickup said "What is that?  It's Beau-tee-ful!"

My MIL said my FIL "zoomed all over in the car on the way back" and just loved it.  She is taking it out shortly to get used to it.  She didn't want to highway drive it without getting acclimated to the brakes and steering etc.  A good decision.  Realizing the stopping is "old school" and planning accordingly takes some getting used to.

 A photo of the happy new owner and a shot of the with the luggage rack installed, and the interior with the gear shift knob matching the other ivory trim.

IM has loaned me a 1600 Super bade and I'm going to do some take offs and redraw it in CAD and make a matching 2500 Super badge which I'll have milled or 3D printed in metal and will install under the Intermeccanica badge.

What a special car.  I am so pleased for them.

-Jeff

DSCN0100DSCN0101DSCN0102

Attachments

Images (3)
  • DSCN0100
  • DSCN0101
  • DSCN0102
IaM-Ray posted:

SSteel or Billet Aluminum?

I've got access to some CNC facilities and may either cut it myself or sub it out.  If I cut it, it will be aircraft aluminum.  Alternatively, I could 3D print with some of the new metallic 3D materials.

Once I have it drawn up I'll get some quotes on rough cost.  If people are interested and it's easy for me to change numbers (if I don't have to redraw each badge), I'll mention it here and see if anyone else wants a set and try and figure out how to make that happen with payments etc. 

-Jeff

Robert M posted:
IaM-Ray posted:

David I think there was someone maybe from the Cali boys, the guy who does fishing gear who's name escapes me at the moment had a few done in SSteel I think.

IIRC he never finished that project. 

Some of our members have used this company.  www.adhesivetemplates.com

That's helpful, I was wondering what method people might prefer to attach them.  I don't have the sample 1600 super piece at hand yet so can't comment on the example from IM.  I do have access to a laser cutter but don't have experience on it yet.  However, once I have the CAD for the milling, I think it should be adaptable to the laser cutter potentially as well.  Just not sure where to source the right adhesive material so we'll see how all that goes..

Out of curiosity, what is a 2500 or other custom badge worth to others?  I'm guessing, just from limited experience, that we're talking $50ea or more to mill it or 3D print it in high end material, but that's just a finger in the air guess.  Not sure how much adhesive would ad.  But it's a hand built car that was heavily customized and I think these details make projects like this shine. 

-Jeff

Robert M posted:

Here's what I found from a previous post. Not sure if they can Porsche font but YOFAB said if you find the font file they will use it.:

https://www.billetbadges.com

https://www.pidplates.us

https://www.yofab.com/products...d-automotive-emblems

Here's a site with Porsche fonts;

https://famfonts.com/porsche/

Those are great resources, thanks! 

I've gotten in to CNC lately, and I did locate a Porsche font already - I'll see if it's the same one.  So I may try my hand at it, we'll see.  I'll definitely check out the other options first though.

-Jeff

IM did loan me the 1600 super script badge.  I've been through all the fonts people have shared and also scoured the Internet.  I'm afraid I can find things close enough for individual letters but none of the fonts are correct.

It appears the 1600 is likely one font, and was slightly modified by Porsche and the Super script is definitely a different font and I can't find it but have found some similar letters.

At this point I think I'll need to sit here with the calipers and do take-offs of the letters I need and then find something similar for the 2 and 5 characters that suits the number font and try and make those.  It's a bit of a slow process...

I must say I am really shocked no one has recreated the typefaces.  I did use What The Font? (handy resource for identifying typefaces: https://www.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/ ) to help find some similar ones, but like I said, not all letters match.  That isn't uncommon, I recall a designer doing a logo for us and tweaking the fonts a bit to make it unique.  I think most corporate identity folks do that, I'm just surprised that by now no one has done a reasonable recreation of it...  If you do have one lurking somewhere, or even a JPG or GIF of more text in either of the two fonts, please share it.

If I get it drawn up and am happy with it I'll share my badge when it is done.

Thanks,

-Jeff

 PS: The widely available "Porsche/Porsha/etc" font looks like a better match from the early 911 until probably the late 90s.  If you look closely at the shape of the P in Super you'll notice it is different on the 356 badge.  The font for Super is very much a 50's feel and a bit narrower and "chubbier" in the letter detail widths.  It's actually a really neat font the more I look at it, I wish I could find it...

 

Last edited by 356Jeff
Post Content
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×