A very original and extremely pleasant Mini Cooper, well equipped and in excellent shape
The Appeal
Revolutionary, manoeuvrable and practical, the 1959 Mini Minor immediately became all the rage in Italy too, but its diffusion was limited by the excessively high selling price due to import costs.
Innocenti, who had already collaborated with the BMC group by producing Austin cars under licence, therefore began producing the Mini in Italy from 1965 in the historic Lambrate factory, with a more refined interior, redesigned grille and rear bonnet and some mechanical improvements over the British model.
1966 saw the launch of the Cooper 1000, the Italian version of the much-appreciated small sports car that triumphed three times at the Monte Carlo rally, with more powerful engines and cosmetic and mechanical modifications.
Introduced in early 1970, the Innocenti Mini Cooper third series was the last to feature the 998 cc engine.
Offered for the first time with descending windows in place of the previous sliding ones, the Mk3 featured a sporty interior, with a three-spoke steel-drilled steering wheel, attractive vinyl-upholstered seats and a particularly comprehensive dashboard, with handsome Veglia Borletti dials with chrome bezels that included a large speedometer and tachometer, oil pressure gauge, fuel gauge and water temperature gauge.
This very attractive Innocenti Mini Cooper MK3, in its rare and distinctive Beaver brown colour with white roof, is extremely well preserved and largely original, enriched with valuable styling details dear to Mini lovers, such as the bumper with headlamp protective arches, the four large rally-inspired depth beams, the chrome headlamp bezels and the handsome sports rims.
The original components have been retained and will be delivered with the car.
The interior is in good condition, with beautiful sports seats upholstered in sand-coloured vinyl, an intact and well-preserved dashboard with efficient instrumentation, bright chrome and carpets in excellent condition.
The well-tuned mechanics have been expertly refined, incorporating sought-after components such as the Weber 40 DCOM 5 carburettor that increases the power and brilliance of the engine and a new sporty tappet cover.
This Mini comes with its original plates and documents, a new registration certificate and its owner's manual.
Thanks to their excellent build quality, vintage Italian Minis are among the most sought-after by enthusiasts. This very special Mini Cooper, full of vintage charm and preserved with care and love, will bring great joy and enjoyment to its next owner, with its legendary road-holding and its peppy, responsive drive.
The History and Paperwork
Sold in Italy in 1972
Italian documents
Original number plates
Original documents supplied
Overhaul valid until 2025
Owner's manual
Sold new in Italy, this Mini has always been maintained with the utmost care and is accompanied by its rare original number plates, original first-issue documents, a new registration certificate and its owner's manual.
The Interior
Well-preserved interior
Sand-coloured vinyl seats and door panels
Dashboard in excellent condition
Attractive and efficient instrumentation
Original three-spoke sports steering wheel with leather-wrapped rim
Brilliant chrome plating
Clean, undamaged carpet
Innocenti rubber mats
The Exterior
Bodywork in good original condition
Repainted in original Beaver Brown colour
Chromed bumpers with headlight protective arches
Chrome headlight surrounds
Headlights
Chrome, badges and lettering in excellent condition
Sports rims
Localised traces of oxidation in the underbody at the front seats
The Mechanics
In-line four-cylinder 998 cm³ engine with 60 hp
Four-speed gearbox
Weber 40 DCOM 5 carburettor
Front disc brakes
Sports head cover
Always maintained with care
Summary
All the rage when new, the original Mini won over devoted admirers all over the world, thanks to its great road-going qualities, versatility, economy of operation and sympathetic, original styling.
Even as a historic car, the Mini continues to be much loved by enthusiasts who appreciate its timeless appeal, its simple and economical handling and the wide availability of spare parts and accessories.
The Mini Cooper, capable of unexpected performance for such a small car, offers a fun and rewarding drive and is always highly sought after, especially in the versions produced by Innocenti, renowned for their build quality and advanced mechanics.
This beautiful and highly original Innocenti Cooper Mk3, with its pleasing vintage look, striking and well-preserved interior and carefully tuned mechanics, is an excellent opportunity to get behind the wheel of an interesting example of one of the most popular cars among motoring enthusiasts and experience the thrill of driving one of the most famous small sports cars of all time.
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller of this vehicle is registered as a business seller. And you are covered by Car & Classic’s Terms and Conditions.
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✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
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