Italian Design and Racing (IDR), based in Fountain Hills, Arizona, was established in 1983 to serve the Ferrari community with service, restoration, and performance modifications. Over the last four-plus decades, the operation has expanded to include support for collector cars from Lamborghini, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, and other manufacturers. IDR even has the ability now to do 3D scanning and printing for obscure/obsolete parts when other options are not available. Handy resource, indeed!
IDR hosted a get-together for members of the Hagerty Drivers Club earlier this year, and there was a wide range of vehicle types in attendance. In particular, I noticed the juxtaposition of a 450-horsepower “SR II” Dodge Viper GTS and a 63-horsepower Honda Beat kei car.
On display inside the showroom was one of two custom-commissioned Ferrari 308 GT2 race cars. According to information shared about the vehicle, its engine and suspension were tuned by Lamborghini test driver Bob Wallace. The car received custom tubular A-arms, custom brake caliper adapters, adjustable suspension, one-off center-lock wheels, full cage, and, of course, a performance-built engine.
Inside one of the service bays were two examples of the rare Lamborghini LM002, a vehicle that was nicknamed the “Rambo Lambo” and known for combining the heart of a supercar with a rugged, military-grade tubular chassis. Power (450 horsepower, to be exact) came from a 5.2-liter V-12 from the Countach Quattrovalvole. Today, the LM002 is a highly prized collector’s item, with some editions commanding upwards of $500,000 in the marketplace.
Another unique vehicle that stood out was a Subaru SVX. The quirky 1992-97 SVX itself is rare, but seeing a 1994 LSI version in Bordeaux Pearl (paint code 487) made it even more special.
I enjoyed checking out a 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 convertible, 1966 Pontiac GTO, and brilliant “Tobacco Brown” W108 Mercedes-Benz 280SE with a beefy 4.5-liter V-8.
One of the best things about the car community is its diversity — the vehicles, venues, and people come from a wide range of backgrounds, and it’s fun to sample a little bit of everything. I’m looking forward to seeing what kinds of rides show up to the next Hagerty event.
