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Topic starter
22/02/2026 3:08 pm
Hungarian born Canadian Frank Reisner founded Intermecannica of Turin, Italy in 1959 beginning as a performance parts supplier for various European cars. It wasn't long before he started building his own cars on a limited basis. With a proven track record, he got financing from an Italian bank and along with designer Franco Scaglione to produce a larger grand touring car with Ford running gear that was named the Torino... until Ford claimed the name for its own line up. So, it wound up being called the Italia. Actually Italia was the 3rd name as it was originally called the Omega until one of the backers sold the name to GM and left the project. Flush with funding, the Italia went into production first with the Ford 271 HP K-code 289 and, when that engine was discontinued, the 351 Ford was used along with the Ford 4 speed manual following the Mustang's evolution. From 1966 to 1972 about 400 cars were sold and were a hit both in Germany and through a New York dealer in America with the Ford 5.0 to pass emissions starting in '68. The Reisners then moves to Canada where the company exists today making Porsche 356 replicas and their own take on the VW Kubelwagen.
Models by Automodello:
22/02/2026 4:06 pm
...you're doing it again Rich - another model obscure model. 🤔 🤨 🤔 I almost had a heart attack looking at the last pic; for a few seconds I thought that was an emblem in 1/43 scale! 😬 😬 😬
22/02/2026 6:36 pm
Another great review Rich of an interesting rare car. I have never seen one but we did have an Intermeccanica Model D Speedster in my home town here in Ontario. Beautiful, I thought it was a Porsche 356 initially.
22/02/2026 9:40 pm
Very interesting article Rich; thank you. I love the car.
John Kuvakas and David Green reacted
23/02/2026 10:42 am
WOW! Looks like an exceptional model. it seems that one slipped past me as well. I wasn't aware it had every been issued.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
John Kuvakas and Tony Perrone reacted
23/02/2026 5:28 pm
Gee Rich - are you going through the Automodello archives here? I'll watch for the Noble and Checkers.
24/02/2026 11:20 am
I just saw that Kess will be issuing their own version in four colors, including the silver with red seats. Seems like manufacturers are running out of models to make and are repeating what others have made. I wonder if Jim Cowen supplied the moulds? Here's how Kess describes it:
'The Intermeccanica Spider represented two worlds colliding. Designed by Franco Scaglione, the car was noted for styling that blended both Ferrari and Corvette elements, with its long bonnet, low windscreen, and muscular rear end. Powered by a Ford V8 engine, it could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just under 6.5 seconds. While its speed couldn't be faulted, it was felt that the chassis was too soft and that it was more suited to 'boulevard cruising' than being thrashed around more sinuous roadways.'
This post was modified 3 months ago 3 times by Harv Goranson
HOBBYDRAGON and Tony Perrone reacted