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ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4398
Location: South Cheshire
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 Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2026 5:43 pm Post subject: I have bought my first Italian built car! |
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Shouldn't be too difficult to identify it 
Last edited by ukdave2002 on Wed Jul 29, 2026 5:46 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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alastairq
Joined: 14 Oct 2016
Posts: 2236
Location: East Yorkshire
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| Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2026 5:46 pm Post subject: |
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Surely not...an Innocenti??
I'm going by the brake pedal rubber]
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Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
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Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces. |
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alastairq
Joined: 14 Oct 2016
Posts: 2236
Location: East Yorkshire
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| Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2026 5:54 pm Post subject: |
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https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/117190534219
Contains a photo of the logo..purely as an example.
_________________
Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
----------------------------------------------
Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces. |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 7647
Location: Derby
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| Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2026 6:25 pm Post subject: |
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| I have heard of Innocenti but never encountered one. We do have another member of our forum with one, I believe. |
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alastairq
Joined: 14 Oct 2016
Posts: 2236
Location: East Yorkshire
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| Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2026 7:43 pm Post subject: |
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Innocenti produced a rather nice looking version of the AH Sprite too.
As well as versions of the mini, some with quite distinctive styling.
_________________
Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
----------------------------------------------
Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces. |
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ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4398
Location: South Cheshire
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| Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2026 8:06 am Post subject: |
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| alastairq wrote: | Surely not...an Innocenti??
I'm going by the brake pedal rubber] |
Very eagle eyed ! Its an 1974 Innocenti Cooper 1300 Export
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alastairq
Joined: 14 Oct 2016
Posts: 2236
Location: East Yorkshire
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| Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2026 9:23 am Post subject: |
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With the engine from the 1300GT?
I passed my car test in a brand spankers [straight from the Motorshow, I was told] Austin 1300GT. Not mine, belonged to my lady driving instructor.
Innocenti also made the Coupe C, based on Sprite running gear.
Oh what a wasted chance for BL to enter the coupe market???
Innocent also reshaped the Mini Cooper body, designed by Bert One....
They also used a turbocharged Daihatsu engine & running gear a little later.
I wonder how many folk would have thought of fitting a Daihatsu turbo engine into their mini???
Anyway, such a shame BL pushed their Innocenti offerings out of the showrooms..seen as 'competition?'
_________________
Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
----------------------------------------------
Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces. |
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badhuis
Joined: 20 Aug 2008
Posts: 1504
Location: Netherlands
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| Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2026 9:37 am Post subject: |
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Congratulations on getting such a nice Innocenti. I did not know they marketed these in the UK as well.
In the eighties my neighbour friend had a similar car and it went very well. He loved that car to bits and rebuild it twice I think. When he bought a house he could sell it for serious money so it went. He still thinks about getting another one. Someday...
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a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment |
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ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4398
Location: South Cheshire
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| Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2026 11:12 am Post subject: |
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| alastairq wrote: | With the engine from the 1300GT?
Anyway, such a shame BL pushed their Innocenti offerings out of the showrooms.seen as 'competition?' |
Yes is the same mechanical spec as the 1275 Copper S
| badhuis wrote: | | I did not know they marketed these in the UK as well. |
Apparently the licencing deal that BMC offered Innocenti originated after Italy slapped massive duties on imported vehicles in the 60's , BMC looked for an opportunity to get into the Italian market, the solution was to supply Innocenti with knock down kits, part of the deal was a condition that Innocenti didn't make RHD versions or target the UK.
This one was imported in 1980 and converted to RHD during a later restoration . Innocenti did tweak some of the body, the main change being the boot, that has a square recess for the number plate, they also fitted a more upmarket interior.
I wasn't specifically after an Innocenti, I had been looking at Mk1 Mini's, this one came up at auction last week and I got it at very low price The last owner had it on a rolling road a couple of years ago, it had an output of 98BHP, so pretty nippy! |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 7647
Location: Derby
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| Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2026 11:46 am Post subject: |
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It looks fantastic!
I am really quite envious of you. 
I see you have the 11 stud Cooper head. (12G940)
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badhuis
Joined: 20 Aug 2008
Posts: 1504
Location: Netherlands
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| Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2026 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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| ukdave2002 wrote: | Innocenti did tweak some of the body, the main change being the boot, that has a square recess for the number plate, they also fitted a more upmarket interior.
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If I remember correctly there were indeed a number of changes.
Carello headlamps, different indicator lamps at the front, different rear lamp units, wheels, quarterlights in the doors (never fitted to UK Minis), that rear bootlid with the square number plate recess. Plus that imposing dashboard of course with the many round clocks.
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a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment |
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mini.inno
Joined: 24 Oct 2023
Posts: 25
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2026 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Congatulationn! Please note my username;-) So If there are any questions, just let me know.... |
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ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4398
Location: South Cheshire
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| Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2026 7:54 pm Post subject: |
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| mini.inno wrote: | | Congatulationn! Please note my username;-) So If there are any questions, just let me know.... |
ahh your username says it all !
I?m sure there will be questions! Here are a few to start with:
I?m assuming the car would have originally had ?rostyle? wheels, there are a set of Finstat with the car?
Mine has 2 fuel tanks, a larger one on the LHS, smaller on the RHS, I don?t think this is original?
Finally my legs are too long to fit comfortably under the steering wheel, I don?t remember this issue with mini?s I had in the 80?s?, possibly the Innocenti seat being more plush sits higher?
Any advice welcome!
Dave |
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mini.inno
Joined: 24 Oct 2023
Posts: 25
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2026 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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Original, there were Firsat steel wheels (comparable to rostyle) on the car. And these were fitted with black plastic arches.
No, the RH fuel tank was not original but a period modification, so I would keep it. The original LH fuel tank was also different to the british versions.
Is the seat already mounted in the rearmost position? You can mount it in three different positions.
Do you want to know more about the modifications of this car?
Kind regards
Stephan |
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mini.inno
Joined: 24 Oct 2023
Posts: 25
Location: Germany
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