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  • Timeline

Innocenti

In 1960, BMC entered into a collaboration with Italian component and scooter manufacturer Innocenti, which saw the latter company produce BMC/BL-based models in Italy for the next 15 years.

This page presents a brief rundown of these models, plus a potted history of Innocenti.


A potted history of Innocenti

Viewed from the air, the Innocenti plant in Milan was an impressive facility. Following the launch of the 90/120, the plant had a capacity of 75,000 cars per year

Innocenti was founded in 1931 by Ferdinando Innocenti, as a manufacturer of steel tubing. The company soon became very successful, due largely to its patented scaffolding system. Following the Second World War, in which much of its production facilities were destroyed, Innocenti used generous Government grants to venture into scooter production at his rebuilt plant in the Lambratte area of Milan.

He introduced the Lambretta in 1946, thus bringing mobility to the post-war Italian masses. He later branched out into the manufacture of automotive parts and car-body presses for such companies as Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Ford, Lancia and VW.

Joining forces with BMC

A collaborative deal with BMC, which was keen to get a foothold in the restrictive Italian market, saw Innocenti venture into car production, beginning in 1960 with the Innocenti-Austin A40 Farina in Berlina (saloon) and Combinata (estate) versions. The Combinata was originally similar to the UK’s Countryman model, but later acquired a single-piece hatchback and other minor modifications.

Next came the Ghia-styled 950 Spider sports car, based on the Austin-Healey Sprite. Both these models used the Sprite’s 948cc engine. In 1963, all models were upgraded by the fitment of the 1098cc engine, becoming the A40S (produced until 1967) and 1100 Spider (until 1968).

A coupe version of the Spider was introduced in 1967 but  discontinued in 1969. Production of the ADO16-based IM3 began in 1963 and other 1100 models followed: the IM3S and Austin I4, I4S and I5.  Innocenti also built Minis (including Coopers) in Italy from 1965 onwards and, in 1975, the company  brought out  its own re-bodied versions called the Leyland Innocenti Mini 90 and 120, with a three-door hatchback body styled by Bertone.

Innocenti exports

These cars were exported to several countries in mainland Europe and also to Japan. Additionally, the so-called Mini 1001 was built at the Seneffe plant in Belgium.

Innocenti 950 Spider was based on the Austin-Healey Sprite MkII (Picture: Gaetano Zagra)

Following Innocenti’s death in 1966, his son Luigi became President of the company, but it lost direction and was heading for crisis when BL bought it for £3m in 1972. As BLMC’s Financial Controller at the time, Geoffrey Robinson travelled to the Milan plant to undertake an assessment. Impressed with what he saw, he set his heart on running Innocenti and managed to persuade Donald Stokes that he was the man for the job.

In fact, it was largely due to Stokes’ high (and some would say misplaced) regard for Robinson that funding was granted for the latter’s pet project: the Bertone-styled hatchback version of the Mini. However, before this car saw the light of day, Robinson had returned to England in 1973 to take up the post of CEO at Jaguar, where he would make his name.

Leyland withdrawal

The failure of the Regent (Allegro) led to further losses and thus to Leyland’s withdrawal from Italy in December 1975. Innocenti was purchased by Alejandro de Tomaso, but only the Minis (both the original style and the Bertone-styled version) continued in production. De Tomaso later struck a deal with Daihatsu which saw with the Bertone Mini gain the Charade’s three-cylinder, 993cc engine and transmission in 1982.

In 1990, De Tomaso sold Innocenti to Fiat and the Innocenti Mini’s days were numbered – production finally ceased with the closure of the factory in March 1993, but the Innocenti name lived on until 1996, on cars imported to Italy by Fiat (namely, the Yugo 45 and the Brazilian Uno-based Elba).

The Innocenti 186 GT, the prototype coupe penned by young Giugiaro when he was working for Bertone. Powered by a 1788cc, 158bhp Ferrari V6 engine, this concept didn’t make it into production (Picture: Gaetano Zagra)

The Innocenti models

Innocenti emblems in their various evolutionary stages. (Picture: Gaetano Zagra)
Innocenti A40/A40S Berlina and Combinata
1960-1967
BMC’s first true hatchback was never sold in the UK. Based on the split-tailgate A40 Farina Countryman, the A40 Combinata (pictured) was an innovation on the part of the Italian company. More…
Innocenti 950/1100 Spider
1961-1968
Based on the  Austin-Healey Sprite MkII (which also spawned the MG Midget), this stylish roadster was designed by the Italian styling house, Ghia.
Innocenti IM3/IM3S, Austin I4/I5
1963-1974
The IM3 was Innocenti’s take on the Morris 1100, with some interesting modifications. It was later joined – and eventually replaced – by the more standard-looking Austin I4 and I5 (pictured). More…
Innocenti Mini
1965-1975
The best known of Innocenti’s models, produced in a variety of specifications including the original ‘Mini Minor’, the ‘Mini t’ (Traveller) and ‘Mini Cooper’, as pictured here. The Innocenti versions were often both better built and more luxuriously appointed than their UK counterparts and a few have found their way to these shores over the years.
Innocenti Regent
1974-1975
A thinly-disguised Austin Allegro, which singularly failed to win the hearts of the its intended customers – it lasted for just two years. More…
Innocenti Mini 90/120/De Tomaso
1974-1993
Surely Innocenti’s most significant model, it’s all the more sad that this car only really took off after British Leyland had sold the company to De Tomaso. More…

Innocenti production (1960-1973)

(Picture: Gaetano Zagra)
(Picture: Giovanni Marchisio)

This page was contributed by Declan Berridge, with thanks to Gaetano Zagra and Giovanni Marchisio.


Reviews, blogs and news stories

Archive

Archive : Innocenti workers strike over job cuts

30 July 1975 Keith Adams 0

Workers at Leyland Innocenti’s plant near Milan today staged a half-day strike in protest against British Leyland’s decision to cut the labour force by a third, from 4,600 to about […]

Archive

Archive : Leyland-Innocenti reshuffle

28 May 1975 Keith Adams 0

Leyland-Innocenti, the Italian subsidiary of British Leyland, today re-affirmed its will to continue activities in Italy. A spokesman for the company, which employs 5,000 in Milan, making chiefly Minis, said […]

Innocenti Mini
Archive

Archive : That’s our baby, Italian style

18 March 1975 Keith Adams 8

DAILY EXPRESS By Leslie Nichol Britain, which gave the world the Mini, is almost certain to get another one, from Italy. At a time when everybody is demanding economical motoring, […]

Innocenti Mini
Archive

Archive : Innocenti Mini 90/120 launched

19 October 1974 Keith Adams 0

INNOCENTI The Innocenti 90/120 hatchback Mini is announced. Link: Innocenti Mini

Geoffrey Robinson
Archive

Archive : BLMC financial controller to head Innocenti

8 May 1972 Keith Adams 0

The British Leyland Motor Corporation is shortly to complete a £3m. deal to buy outright Innocenti Autoveicoli of Milan, the company which assembles and sells Austin-Morris cars in Italy. Announcement […]

1974 Innocenti Mini 120
Archive

Archive : Stokes to takeover Innocenti

7 May 1972 Keith Adams 0

THE OBSERVER STOKES TO TAKEOVER INNOCENTI By Roger Eglin British Leyland is to buy the Italian family-owned car company, Innocenti Autoveicoli , of Milan, for some £3 million. Innocenti already […]

Archive

Archive : BLMC in takeover talks with Innocenti

14 July 1970 Keith Adams 0

THE GUARDIAN By Anthony Harris British Leyland is holding talks with Innocenti, the Milan engineering company which makes the BMC Mini and 1100/1300 for the Italian market. This could lead […]

Archive

Archive : Italian Assembly Of Morris 1100

19 April 1963 Keith Adams 0

FROM OUR MOTORING CORRESPONDENT Innocenti of Milan, the Italian company which has assembled more than 40,000 Austin A40 saloons for the British Motor Corporation since 1960, are to take on […]

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