Innocenti Mini Foggia

The journey to find this never-welded-on Innocenti Mini Classic led us to the south of Italy, just on the other side of Naples between the lemon, olives, and wheat fields. Thanks to this Italian sun and good preservation this 1001 Export is kept in a unique condition. While the Mini covered 50,000 km in just over 50 years, it’s hard to believe how effortlessly she handled another 4,500 km drive with Tom to our garage near Utrecht, Holland, still steadfastly delivering her original 49 horsepower!

 The 49 horsepower pushed out by the 1001 engine is a 10 horsepower gain compared to the British rival Mini 1000’s, this is caused by the usage of a nowadays rare 12G295 Cooper Cylinder-head. It’s this change combined with the luxurious Italian interior that makes us fall in love with the 1001 Innocenti.

 Rest assured on the covered 4500km, this car has just been serviced and inspected by Brooks to ensure a good condition and make her ready to embark on new adventures with its next owner.

 At the Brooks Motors garage, we’ve replaced the rubber carpet, with a high plush, hand-made brown carpet. The original 1001 grill is replaced with a classic MK1 grill and the rims and tires have been replaced for a newly painted aluminum set.

 As always, if this specific car doesn’t completely match your wishes, we can also build a car entirely customized to fit your budget and specifications. Welcome to Brooks Build!

1001 Export model
This particular model is one of the, then new, export 1001 models. These were introduced at the beginning of 1973, One particular detail that highlights this is the slightly bigger cutout for the rear number plate. 
The “Deluxe” 1001 was designed with luxury in mind. Its interior featured a heated rear window, wooden steering wheel, and gear knob for added elegance. A cigarette lighter added a touch of refinement. Upgrades extended to the carpets, wood accentuated instrument dials, chromed air vents, and a new gear lever gaiter. A new seat design improved both comfort and aesthetics.
It was these thoughtful touches that transformed the Mini 1001 into a more refined and luxurious car.

History
The Innocenti Mini was born in response to the demands of the taxman. In the 1950s, the Italian government imposed heavy customs duties on car imports, with the result that prices rose by an additional 40 percent. This led to a surge in demand for cars built on Italian soil. Foreign manufacturers sought to enter the market through partnerships with Italian companies. It was in this environment that Innocenti made his mark. The BMC-Innocenti agreement was announced on 6th August 1959, just before BMC unveiled the Austin Se7en and Morris Mini Minor to the public. This pivotal agreement gave Innocenti the license to manufacture British Leyland cars in Milan, Italy.
Minis from the UK arrived in Milan in a completely knocked down (CDK) state, ready for assembly by Innocenti. By 1970, with the introduction of the MKIII, Innocenti had already established itself as a press manufacturer for several other car manufacturers and was now producing a significant proportion of the Mini bodyshell itself. This gave them the freedom to introduce unique modifications compared to their British counterparts, such as the distinctive square number plate on the boot and strategically placed holes in the front fender to accommodate side indicators.
The arrival of the MKIII marked the beginning of a new era for the car. Roller shutters graced the doors, joined by additional vents. These vents were excellent for letting out the cigarette smoke and providing a gentle breeze for the passengers inside.
The journey of refinement continued inside, with Italian cloth and vinyl upholstery, a warm woodgrain dashboard, and a wood-trimmed steering wheel complemented by a matching wooden gear knob. The craftsmanship even extended to the gauges, made by Viglia Borletti and inscribed in Italian: acqua (water), benzina (fuel) and olio (oil).
“Innocenti’s touch didn’t just bring the Innocenti Mini to Italy; it refined and elevated the original MINI, carving out a unique and cherished niche in automotive history. The impact of the Innocenti Mini has been nothing short of extraordinary, making it the second largest car manufacturer in all of Italy, second only to Fiat”.