Innocenti started making Mini's in the mid 60's I think and were then
owned by BMC. Sometime in the 70's they started producing a new body
for the Mini subframes that was a squared off hatchback, a little
like the Fiat 127. The interior was restyled at the same time. The
traditional shape Mini was continued along side, but whether that is
still the case I don't know. At some time Innocenti was losing
rather a lot of money, although nothing like what BL was losing, so BL
sold its interest in the company. The hatchback version at least is
still in production, with the De Tomaso name on it, but more than
that I can't say, although when I replaced the rear subframe on my
Mini about 5 years ago it was cheaper to buy an Innocenti rear
subframe through Bodybits of Coventry than it was to buy a Mini rear
subframe from Rover, or even the Mini Spares Centre, so I presume
that Innocenti are still making parts.
Mark
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