Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300 Export
When British Leyland licensed Mini production to Italian manufacturer Innocenti in 1965, few anticipated the partnership would outlast British production. The Innocenti Mini featured improved interior trim, better rust protection, and Italian flair missing from BMC's austere original. The 1300 Export model used the 1275cc A-series engine producing 65 horsepower with upgraded trim levels. Innocenti continued Mini production until 1993, long after the British ended Mk I production in 1969, making these later Italian Minis sought after by collectors for their superior build quality and unique specifications.
Verify Italian Innocenti production via chassis plate and build records. These feature better rust protection than British Minis but still check sills, floor pans, and subframes thoroughly. The A-series engine is extremely robust and well-supported for parts. Hydrolastic suspension unique to some variants requires specialist knowledge. Interior trim quality superior to British equivalents. Values lower than British Cooper S but rising as collectors appreciate Italian production. Documentation important to establish provenance.
Innocenti produced Minis under license from 1965-1993 in Milan, Italy. Approximately 180,000 units of the 1300 variant built from 1974-1982. Bodies featured better rust protection than British equivalents. Trim and equipment levels higher than UK-spec cars. Production continued under De Tomaso ownership from 1976. The Milan factory outlasted all British Mini production of the original design.