1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

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What color to paint the Inno?

VW Denim blue with black roof
1
9%
Yellow with black roof
7
64%
Porsche Tangerine orange with black roof
0
No votes
Tartan red with black roof
3
27%
 
Total votes: 11

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whitebuffalo
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1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by whitebuffalo »

I reluctantly sold my Riley Elf to fund a car I have wanted for a long time, an Italian built Mini. So, for my 40th birthday I was able to find a 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300 (Italian built MKIII Cooper S) The original color was a mustard yellow with black roof. The car has done 52,000 km (around 32,000 miles) and runs sweetly. So far I have had to have the transmission rebuilt since I found two teeth from the final drive in the oil :x Previous owner must have used the transmission to slow down instead of the brakes. Transmission needed first and third gear and I had all the bearing replaced too. Final drive was 3:44, but changed to 3:10 for better freeway running.

Interior is all original , just very tired so I will get it reupholstered later on. Thankfully no rust. I plan on adjustable suspension to add a little negative camber and will add EBC red stuff pads.
Original color was a mustard yellow like the 70's BL color Harvest gold. Was repainted sometime in the 90's in Italy in this red.

While cleaning out the interior which smelled like a wet dog who rolled in THC herbs lived in it I found two .50 lire coins, one from 1966 and the other from 1971 as well as one from 1991.
Here she is when I brought her (nick name is Sophie) home.
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Having a look at the motor
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Cool dash
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I am having a bit of trouble deciding on a paint scheme for my Inno. So have decided to ask for a little help. The roof will be black, but what color to paint the body? I have decided on the following colors:

How the car looks now:
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VW Denim blue with black roof

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Yellow with black roof like the original color of my car

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Porsche tangerine orange with black roof

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Tartan red with black roof
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Last edited by whitebuffalo on Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:45 pm, edited 4 times in total.
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by Steve Simmons »

I know you see a lot of red Minis, but it just looks so right. What about using Ferrari red since it's Italian?
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by tannyo »

Steve Simmons wrote:I know you see a lot of red Minis, but it just looks so right. What about using Ferrari red since it's Italian?
That means he'd have to prime it pink before painting like the Ferrari factory.
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by whitebuffalo »

Steve Simmons wrote:I know you see a lot of red Minis, but it just looks so right. What about using Ferrari red since it's Italian?
Yes, Minis seem to only come in red or green :) I had thought of a vintage Ferrari red with the black roof for a more classic look. The red with black roof does look so good on the car though.
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by Larry Kluss »

Nice find! I like the yellow and black, myself.
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by kiwimark »

How about this scheme, very Italian.

http://bringatrailer.com/2013/11/07/ama ... 4-tribute/


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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by whitebuffalo »

kiwimark wrote:How about this scheme, very Italian.

http://bringatrailer.com/2013/11/07/ama ... 4-tribute/


Regards
Mark
Definitely wouldn't get my car mixed up with any other Mini that is for sure! :lol:
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by Fifty Six MGA »

As the owner of a red car, I'd vote for something else. I like the orange.,,
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by malcolmr18zoy »

I would vote for tartan red. I think you should definitely go for an original mini color.
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by tannyo »

I like the color combo of this Elf.

Image

I know the British flag on the roof is cliche, but it looks good to me.
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by whitebuffalo »

tannyo wrote:I like the color combo of this Elf.


I know the British flag on the roof is cliche, but it looks good to me.
The thing is , my Mini is Italian! British flag wouldn't work :)
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by tannyo »

whitebuffalo wrote:
tannyo wrote:I like the color combo of this Elf.


I know the British flag on the roof is cliche, but it looks good to me.
The thing is , my Mini is Italian! British flag wouldn't work :)
Well then, how about Ferrari red, black roof, tan seats with red piping, and these big circles on the doors?
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whitebuffalo
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by whitebuffalo »

Yeah, that could work!
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by whitebuffalo »

Been working on the Mini. Got a set of Rose petal alloys for the Mini Traveller and wanted to see how they look on the Inno. I think they look great.

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I also got a big box from the UK. Turns out that my family bought me seat upholstery from one of the top companies in the Mini world. I took the seats apart and found 40+ years of yuckyness!
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They look great once I fitted the new foam and seat covers and the interior of the car doesn't smell like wet dog and THC products. Here you can see the new fabric centers compared to the original faded ones. Eventually the new seats will fade to look like the old ones if ever left in the sun too long, but that won't happen since my cars are garaged.

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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by VWNate1 »

Nice little car there ! .

Although I like Minis in blue/white livery , I first chose red/black then I read your blog and of course , changed my vote to the original colors as that's what you're supposed to do .

I will be greatly missing your Elf ! :( .
-Nate
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by whitebuffalo »

Yeah, the Elf is missed, however I love my Inno. Great power and a more luxurious driving experience has help get over the Elf easier.
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by VWNate1 »

? What're you doing up so early ? .
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by Toad »

Nice little car.
I was just wondering if you kept the old front seat covers, and if so would you sell them to me? I have been trying to source a set for a very long time so that I can use them as patterns to be able to make my own set in leather. I really don't want to pay £350 odd for a new set from Newton Commercial just to take them apart.

Thanks,

ps, I hate telling people what they should do with their cars but if I had an Innocenti I think I'd revert back to the original colour.
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by whitebuffalo »

Toad,

Sorry to say, but due to the state of the old covers ie.... smelly and rather nasty to have around, I binned them. As for the car's colours, I will revert to close to the factory colour and make it Bronze Yellow with a black roof. Close to the factory Mustard Yellow, but a little darker and no green hue.

The Newton Commercial covers were expensive, but very well worth it. Not that you would want Newton's stuff if you intend to go leather. Have a look on the Innocenti Facebook forum, seen a few people selling their used seats and covers in the past few months.
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by whitebuffalo »

Well, sorry to say , but my beautiful Innocenti is no more :sick

Was having breakfast in Valencia and was going to drive Bouquet Canyon home. Guy in an SUV jumped out of his lane and clipped my Mini in the driver's door and spun me into a utility pole. This is one Mini that I really loved and never wanted to let it go.

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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by Martin Keller »

Wow your so lucky your alive after that you need to buy a LOTO ticket.
I take it your not to banged up but I bet your sore and are you OK.
Hope you good.
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by Stewart »

Good grief that looks like it could have been very very ugly. Glad you made it out in one piece. What happened to the engine bay? Kinda looks like someone dumped an extinguisher on it
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by tannyo »

Did the guy in the SUV stick around?
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by Steve Simmons »

Oh no! That's so sad, I'm very sorry. Most glad you're in one piece though. Inattentive drivers infuriate me for this very reason. We lost a great car but could have lost a friend, too.

I'm sure it's possible to resurrect the car if you so desire. It would cost a lot, but I think you will be getting a lot from his/her insurance company so maybe something to consider.

I'm betting the white powder was from the fire department because fuel was leaking. They usually take immediate preliminary action against possible fire or explosion where gasoline leaks are involved.
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Re: 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300

Post by whitebuffalo »

I am really lucky to be alive. One to two feet further back and I would have hit the pole at the door. Could have hit my head on the pole etc... Didn't realize it at the time, but yesterday it sank in. I can't even look at the car without getting choked up. Looking at what happened, if the pole wasn't there the car might have flipped due to the left side wheels hitting the curb and launching me into the wall roof first. Seeing the indention of the pole at such an angle, perhaps 25 to 30 degrees you see that the car was rotated as it hit. The accident happened just before the intersection of Bouquet Canyon and Seco Canyon roads just after 12pm on Saturday.

The engine had caught fire and I had to quickly exit the passenger door. I looked for my extinguisher, however, it had flown from the passenger rear storage bin and landed under the driver seat. A person who stopped to help had extinguished the fire and after the fire department arrived it caught a gain so they doused it further.

My shoulder is hurt, but no broken bones and I do remember leaning towards the center of the car which probably saved my head from hitting anything.

The guy in the SUV did stick around. It was a fortunate location because there is a fire station a block away and not sure where the sheriff was at but they both were there literally within a minute! Ambulance was there just a few moments latter due to the crew being at the strip mall just past the intersection.
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