Intermeccanica began building their own cars in 1959, but in 1974 the company began developing their first replica, the Squire SS100. The first prototype was built in Italy and sent to Philadelphia in 1972, but shortly thereafter disappeared and was believed to no longer exist. That was until this 1972 Squire SS100 was found in an old warehouse in Philadelphia. It has been pulled from the warehouse and can now be found here on eBay.
The Squire SS100 came about when Auto Sport Importers, Inc. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania commissioned Intermeccanica to build an American Sports car based on the Jaguar SS100’s design. After several years of development 50 cars were built, which means fewer of these car were built than the original SS100. The prototype car had several features that were unique to it. The picture above is of the car when it was new. Notice the fold down windshield, which was fitted to the prototype only. This warehouse find has the proper fold down windshield and taillight placement, meaning it is the lost prototype.
Intermeccania wasn’t a stranger to building cars that were powered by Ford, as most of their cars had some type of Ford power. This car came with Ford’s 250 cui straight six paired and could be paired with either a four speed top loader or a three speed C4 automatic. This car is believed to have its original engine and C4 transmission, but the car has been parked for most of its life. It was rarely used, as it couldn’t meet DOT requirements to be licensed, so it was parked in a barn. Eventually one of the mechanics at Auto Sport Importers purchased it. It was then moved to this warehouse, where it has been ever since.
As with the exterior of the car, the interior is also modeled after the SS100, but isn’t as attractive or polished as the real deal. It appears to be complete, but needs a good cleaning. The car was parked indoors in an attempt to keep it from getting vandalized. During its time outside, it had the spare wheel stolen and the top slashed. The wheel was replaced with an original style wheel and a new top was installed, but its long stay has left the car in need of some work.
When the seller purchased the warehouse this car was parked in, they probably had no idea that they were getting such a rare and unique automobile with it. Let’s just hope that they aren’t only seeing money signs when they look at it, but a car that was meant to be driven and enjoyed. They have gone to the trouble of getting a title for the car, so perhaps they see more than its monetary value.
Now that’s a Barn Find ! I forwarded it to someone who actually owns and enjoys one today.
Glad someone likes it. We would love to hear from your friend with his take on this one.
The VW van in the backround is much more desirable!
Sorry…the prototype was built 40 years prior…I can’t see how a prototype of a fake is worth anything at all. And a Falcon engine. And a slushbox. No, thanks. Ditto on the VW van! What else is down there?
~ Intermeccania ? aren’t they still around in some form? and since ’59?
can’t say that about Saturn… or Pontiac… or Mercury… or Hummer… or Plymouth… or… or- you get my point, i hope. the auto bidness be a cruel mistress. would you accept a Speedster repop if i told you it might be fun?
I am sure the seller knows what he has. There are a few more “old” VW type II’s in that warehouse.
do you ever look for motorbikes?
Great find.. Im not a fan of this style of car. I wouldn’t buy an original ja, just not my taste. But I would take that speedster that somebody mentioned. I’ll take it in black with red interior thanks. When can you drop it off!!!! Nah I’ll come and pick it up!!!!
There is nothing about this car that would interest me.
You boys are spot on……..that VW Van is lookin’ real good to me……real good. Even if it has rust…………
hi guy, i’m the guy that owns the squire. someone on this site told me about the write-up, thanks! the article hear is accurate and well written. i appreciate the comments here, even the unfavorable ones. i’ve thought about this car from alot of different angles so i actually agree with all of it. the significance of this car, reproduction or not canot be disregarded. the manufacturing of this car was one mans dream and investment and this car was that mans personal car. to any naysayers i would ask ‘what cars have you put in production and mand may i please see the prototype?’ as for cashing in and dollar signs…i have no control over what the car sells for. the reserve is fairly minimal.
my VWs will probably be on this website in 50 years….
btw, i posted from my phone so i apologize from the misspellings etc
Classic hard sell going on here.
Lots of other real cars to consider that aren’t some guys “story”.
Never bought a story. Never will.
No hard sell here. i was asked to come here and comment. the moderators can remove my comments if anyone finds them obnoxious. i know from orher sites like BaT that the range of comments will vary wildly and those that are negative will be aimed lower and lower as the conversation progresses. i’m always curious what those who have something negative to say actually own or have found. i’m rolling out across PA today picking up a find from a couple weeks ago and looking for more. cheers.
gibbs:
I had not actually read your comment on BarnFinds before quickly typing my comment in the submission box and hitting the ‘post comment’ button, so I was not referring to your comment above. I was refering to the listing on eBay.
I think that you and any other commenters are free to comment as you like and to write any listing you want for selling a car. But as a car fan for some decades I just don’t respond very enthusiastically to undocumented stories about a car that seem to inflate a car’s importance or value. When it comes to selling a car, this is something that I call hard sell, and when I see it I think it’s fair game to mention it. But it is not intended to be rude or nasty. It’s just intended to call it as I see it. I’m not in the market for a Squire since it’s just not my kind of car, and I’m guessing that most of the other commenters here probably aren’t either, but if you and a buyer reach a deal and you are both happy, that’s great. I wish you the best for your sale.
it’s cool with me. i’m trying to sell the car. i’m putting out as much as i know from conversations and correspondence that i’ve had with the members of the squire registry mike wolfs son, and armando who i see every day. the folks at the squire registry are easily reachable and glad to share their knowledge about these cars. decades of exposure to anything brings experience but sometimes run across some jaded folks. i still get a thrill out of the hobby and am happy for folks that come up on finds. there’s a story behind every car. some are more tangible than others, documentation or not. there were 51
quires made and all but a couple are accounted for. there had to be a prototype. i’ll send moderators or anyone else a photo of the VIN mothe moderators moderators or anyone,else