Page 28 - Real Rochdale Issue 05 Summer 2019
P. 28
Rare Innocenti Mini Cooper
The Mini you see gracing the cover of this When purchased, the Mini was in ‘a sorry
issue of Real Rochdale is an unusual one. state’ before undergoing restoration.
This almond green vehicle is a rare Innocenti Jonathan said: “I had a Mini when I was
Mini Cooper 1300 Export from 1973, which younger, and wanted something to do, so I
was bought and imported from Italy by local bought the Export for £500 and decided to
businessman Jonathan Rigg 25 years ago. restore it to its former glory.”
Under the ownership of the British Leyland In the last 15 years, the Mini has been out
Motor Corporation, rebodied versions of the only a few times.
Mini were built in the 1970s in Milan, giving
rise to the Innocenti Mini. Jonathan added: “I think this is the first time
it has been out in about 10 years. I did drive
Created as the equivalent of the 1275 it briefly when I was between cars, but it is
Cooper S for the Italian market, the 1300 kept in storage now. It only comes out on
Export was introduced in 1973. special occasions.”
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