Towards the end of the 1960s, Italy's economic miracle was showing some signs of slowing down and the government tried to run for cover by protecting domestic industry. One of the most controversial measures was the increase of taxes on imported products. Cars were particularly affected in order to favour Italian-made cars, such as the cheap utility cars produced by Fiat, which were considered more than enough to meet the needs of the domestic market.

In the same years, however, the Mini was beginning to enjoy considerable success throughout Europe and was becoming increasingly desired and fashionable. Luigi Innocenti, head of the Mechanics Company of the same name, seized this opportunity: instead of finished cars, he started buying kits from BMC to be assembled in Italy. Soon, Innocenti was able to offer a Mini with unique features, which offered a more refined finish and a lot of charm at a higher price. The Italian Mini was an immediate success, soon accounting for over 3 per cent of the domestic car market.

Truly attractive in its elegant Grigio Perla colouring, this handsome 1969 example immediately makes it clear why Italian-made Minis are now among the most sought-after by connoisseurs, who appreciate not only the improvements over British-made models, but also their generally superior level of preservation, thanks to the milder, drier climate in which they lived.

This sale is subject to the Terms and Conditions of Car & Classic. By submitting an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓Theseller is registered as a private seller, which means that consumer rights under EU consumer protection legislation do not apply. You will be protected in any case by the Terms and Conditions of Car & Classic.

✓Ifyou are the lucky winner of an auction or your bid is accepted, we will ask you to pay a non-refundable commission fee. Please refer to our FAQ and Terms & Conditions for specific fees.

✓Thisvehicle is'SoldAs Seen', on an'as is and where is' basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are for illustrative purposes only and it is good practice to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle before purchase for added peace of mind and security.

✓VATis included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final offer or asking price, as specified in the ad.

✓Justlike you, we want transactions to be as straightforward and transparent as possible, which is why we subject all UK vehicles for sale on Car & Classic to an HPI check to ensure that they are not listed on insurance databases as damaged or stolen and that they are free of any financial liens, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓Wealso check whether vehicles have been declared withdrawn from circulation and compensated as irreparably damaged when an ad is published on Car & Classic, and where necessary we indicate the category of damage reported (Cat C/D/S/N) to help you. In any case, the presence or absence of such indications is no guarantee of the condition of the vehicle and it is always preferable to carry out a full vehicle history check yourself before submitting an offer.

✓Buyers are responsible for collecting or delivering the vehicle. Additional customs duties and import taxes may apply when importing vehicles, so it is advisable to check beforehand. If required, we can direct you to a third-party shipping company that can help. For more details, or to communicate with our team, please email auctions@carandclassic.com.