Same owner for 43 years, original and preserved with little upgrades for regularity races
Same owner for 43 years, original and preserved with little upgrades for regularity races
This isn't your average British-built Mini, but it's not a common Cooper 1300 either. What we're offering is a 1966 Innocenti Mini Cooper 998, Mk1, in the classic Mini red with black roof.
Produced at the Lambrate plant in Milan in October 1966, this Innocenti Mini Cooper was sold new in Bologna by the Cisa dealership to Mr. Luigi Calletti, who kept it in the family until 2009. After a couple of owners, the car passed into the hands of a passionate collector who refinished it in its current sporty configuration.
Taking a step back to 1966, we return to the era when the red Morris Mini Cooper S cars won on the track, on hill climbs, and above all, won the prestigious Monte Carlo Rally in 1964 and 1965 (and subsequently in 1967). The young people of the time, riding the wave of enthusiasm from such victories, longed for a small city-car so they could drive it with a touch of Paddy Hopkirk. While British-made Morris and Austin were extremely expensive due to the duties imposed on foreign cars, combined with a higher starting price, the "Italian Mini" option had become increasingly popular in recent months. The Milanese company had begun producing the Mini, Minor with the 850cc engine, and Cooper with the 998cc displacement, like this example, under British license.
So, for a more modest sum, you could get almost the same British car, yet with superior build quality, as even the most experienced British enthusiasts now recognized. While the mechanics and bodywork were the same as those of the UK-derived Mini Cooper (with the exception of the rear trunk), the interior, lighting, instruments, and many other details differed and today determine the difference between an original Innocenti model and one restored using interchangeable English components.
After the first 20 years of use, this Mini Cooper was deregistered and kept in the same family's garage until 2005, when it was returned to the road, used by a mechanic from Bologna who oversaw its restoration, and then by two "regularity races" enthusiasts, still in Bologna, who have kept it to this day, enhancing it with the accessories that were a must-have for red Mini Coopers of the mid-1960s: starting with the essential set of four auxiliary headlights, four beautiful Melber alloy wheels, and rear stone guards. Inside, the rare original steering wheel with perforated metal spokes adds just enough sportiness to make it feel like you don't need much else, except a tachometer for more precision in sports driving.
Mechanically, the car has remained virtually streetworthy: the 55 horsepowers are sufficient to propel this lightweight, and with a recent tune-up, it's lively and fun. Part of its appeal is the "short" gearbox, which uses a different bevel gear than the original, which is kept separately along with a second gearbox. The Hydrolastic suspension has been maintained as original, overhauled, and works very well.
The car has been ASI certified and has also obtained the ACI-CSAI passport for regularity events. It comes with the original owner's manual, a complete tool kit, and double keys. It's possible to re-obtain the original square license plate with the province of Bologna.
The car can be viewed by appointment in Bologna. Further details on www.gulfblue.it
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