Noble Sisters: Innocenti Mini De Tomaso

Today, we talk about a little-known car – which makes it an interesting prospect for collectors – the Innocenti Mini De Tomaso Turbo. To fully understand the story behind this car, one must know the key figures involved in this project, which was born during a complex time for the world. The oil crisis of the early '70s, marked by the sharp rise in oil prices orchestrated by OPEC, forced the automotive industry to make tough, often painful, decisions. Among those affected was the Italian company Innocenti.

Introduced in 1974 at the Turin Motor Show, the Innocenti Mini made its debut with new forms designed by Marcello Gandini for Bertone, built on the British Mini Minor mechanics.

Founded in 1933, Innocenti achieved significant success outside the automotive world: it is famous for its patent and production of "Tubi Innocenti" and the functional assembly system, still used today for scaffolding. After the war, Innocenti ventured into scooters, creating the Lambretta, which, alongside the Vespa and Isomoto, helped motorize Italy. Innocenti entered the automobile industry in 1959 with an agreement with British Leyland to assemble models like the A40 and the Innocenti 950 Spider, bodied by Ghia and built on Austin Healey Sprite mechanics. Launched in 1960, its most significant success was the Mini Minor, with bodies stamped in Italy and mechanics from the UK, leading British Leyland to acquire Innocenti and make it a European logistics hub. The Italianization of models led to versions like the Mini 90 and 120, with styling overseen by Marcello Gandini, then chief designer at Bertone.

British Leyland's severe crisis in the mid-1970s led to the closure of the Lambrate factory in Milan, saved by Alejandro De Tomaso's intervention.

Despite Innocenti's success, British Leyland fell into a deep crisis and, by the end of 1975, decided to close the Lambrate plant. After tense negotiations between the government and unions, the factory was handed over to the De Tomaso group in 1976, bolstered by state capital injections. In the same year, De Tomaso also acquired Maserati, which was in dire straits. To revive Innocenti, the new ownership focused on the Mini Bertone, which was produced in 30,000 units until 1982 when the agreement with British Leyland expired. De Tomaso then partnered with Daihatsu to source engines, adopting the small 993cc three-cylinder “Sanyo CB21” engine, which was more fuel-efficient but lacked the punch of its British predecessor.

In 1983, the Mini De Tomaso Turbo was born, equipped with the three-cylinder Daihatsu engine paired with an IHI turbocharger, delivering 72hp for only 670kg of weight.

The risk of the Mini becoming a basic economy car, losing its sporty essence, was avoided by the idea of equipping the engine with an IHI turbocharger, raising the power to 72hp, paired with a mere 670kg weight. Thus, in 1983, the Innocenti Mini De Tomaso Turbo was born – a real little bomb! Described as particularly challenging for sporty driving due to its nervous character, it won the hearts of enthusiasts thanks to its pure 80s aesthetics, with the giant “Turbo” decal on the rear bumper connecting the taillights. It also featured alloy wheels, a unique front bumper with fog lights, and an asymmetrical air intake on the hood. The Turbo version was sold in just 6,000 units, with the first 3,000 (as far as we can tell, since Innocenti’s records have been partly lost) nicknamed “Sanyo” due to the Daihatsu CB21 Sanyo engine. A small but mighty part of the history of ordinary cars turned into sporty icons, the Mini De Tomaso Turbo is a hidden gem for lovers of pocket rockets.

The spartan interiors of the Mini De Tomaso Turbo reflect the car’s sporty nature. A feisty little devil, just over 3 meters in length.