11 replies to this topic

[tb205gti]

Year 1975 - tell me all I need to know about them. :)

 

- How many was made?

- What options could you get?

- What is the quality like?

- How does the engine differ from a Cooper S engine?

- Are they sought after like the Cooper S?

[mab01uk]

"In Australia the Mini Cooper S lasted until August 1971 when the Clubman was launched, supplanting the round-nosed models, and the last UK Mini Cooper S Mk3 was built at Longbridge on 28 June 1971.

However, that was not the end of the Mini Cooper story because production continued in Innocenti’s Milan factory. In March 1972 the Italian firm announced the Mini Cooper 1300, the first Innocenti Mini to use the 1275cc engine. Innocenti had, already entered a period of decline following the death in 1966 of founder Ferdinando Innocenti and, in 1972, his family decided to sell the business to British Leyland. BLMC sent out future politician and millionaire Geoffrey Robinson to run their new acquisition.

Robinson decided to expand Innocenti’s sales throughout continental Europe and one of the cars he sold was the Mini Cooper 1300 Export, an improved version of the car launched in March 1972. This was basically a disc-braked Mini fitted with a UK-built engine from the ADO16 1300GT saloon, developing some 71bhp. Instead of the UK cars plain steel wheels the Italian car had smart Rostyle wheels. It was also the best-equipped and best-built Mini Cooper. The reputation of Italians as great car stylists was well justified with this car, particularly in terms of the interior. The Mini Cooper 1300 Export, was announced in March 1973 and in October that year a near identical version was launched by Authi in Spain. The model was also built at Seneffe in Belgium.

However, BLMC’s financial collapse at the end of 1974 resulted in the termination of car production in both Italy and Spain. Innocenti was sold to Alejandro de Tomaso and, while production of the Bertone-styled Mini 90 and 120 hatchback continued for many years, the last Mini Cooper rolled off the Innocenti production line in 1976. The Mini Cooper was dead. For now…"

Edited by mab01uk, 24 May 2017 - 07:31 PM.

[mab01uk]

In production : Innocenti:-

The Innocenti factory was a world class facility, as these pictures clearly show.

In many ways, this Mini production line was more advanced than its progenitor back in Longbridge.

http://www.aronline....tion-innocenti/

Edited by mab01uk, 24 May 2017 - 07:37 PM.

[Cooperman]

 

 

 

The Innocenti Mini-Cooper 1300 Export.

[jamesmpi]

Love the dash setup on the Innocenti. My favourite

[Cooperman]

The dash shows why it was only made in LHD. When I got that one it had been converted to RHD, but I changed it back during restoration. At least it is easy to change back because many have been made RHD and that devalues and, IMHO, rather spoils them.

[THE ANORAK]

please

[Cooperman]

To me the Inno Export is the last 'real' Cooper 'S'.

It has the non-'S' 1275 block, but has the 'S' head (11-stud) with a 510 cam and an 'S' dizzy. The exhaust system is a 3-into 1 manifold with a centre-exit pipe as standard. The compression ratio is as the original 'S' and the carbs are twin HS2's on the 'S' inlet manifold.

The gearbox is the later rod-type, but with 'S' ratios and a 3.44:1 FDR.

I used to love driving mine as it was so smooth, despite my increasing the C.R. to 10:1, and the old 510 cam (in the Inno it has a different number, but it is a 510) is always superb for normal road driving.

The 'Firsat' wheels look similar to Rostyle, but they are slightly different. There are under-bonnet differences like the radiator, the rad. header tank and the servo only works on the front wheels. Parts are more difficult for the Inno, but newton Commercial do a complete interior kit (which I fitted as you can see from the photo).

I fitted SPAX dampers and Mintex 1144 brake pads and it was such a nice car, especially on twisty roads, I have always loved driving LHD cars and I had a LHD Porsche for 16 years. It always seems so natural changing gear with the right hand.

I set mine to standard ride height to optimise the suspension and it had Falken 165/70 x 10 tyres.

I hope the current owner is enjoying it as much as I did.

[tb205gti]

Sounds good. :) I knew some of the details, but not all of them. Is it possible to find out what options it was bought with from new - from the VIN?

It has one of the large sunroofs - Size like the Mini OpenAir, but I'm unsure if it is factory fitted or not.

[tb205gti]

Cooperman: that is one mint looking innocenti!

[Cooperman]

It was in a bit of a sorry state when I bought it. The previous owner had reversed it into an object in his boat yard and dented the boot lid and broke a rear light.

It needed a lot of interior stuff and had no back seats, whilst then mice had eaten the front seats. The carpets were scrap and it didn't run too well.

 

It also needed the roof re-painting. Happily it was rust free. Inside the door cards were torn and it had no interior door bins (the special Inno ones.

 

It had been converted to RHD, had no rad. header tank and some other non-Inno parts, so I had to source the correct parts.

 

Whilst all that was being done I did a precautionary engine build, fitted a centre oil pick up and new lay-shaft bearings, rebuilt the brakes and suspension and fitted a new exhaust system.

 

It was lovely to drive, but I sold it to make room in my workshop for the 1964 Mini 850 and the MGB-GT.

[tb205gti]

Turns out mine is not just an innocenti Copper Export - but a "Series 300". Looks like it is one of the last 300 from 1975. (first registration is 27/10-1975). :)