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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso - hot on curves

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Created on January 16, 2025

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

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Bruno von Rotz

31

Archiv

14

Bruno von Rotz

31

Archiv

14

Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - in the classic red and black paintwork, as the Pantera was also often ordered

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - the tailgate only reaches as far as the rear lights

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - compact sportiness

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - open for everything

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - 3.13 meters long, 1.525 meters high

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - wheelbase 2.04 meters

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - on the road

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - relatively flat-bottomed steering wheel

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - no leather for the steering wheel

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - sporty cockpit

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - opposing scales on the main instruments

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - more or less classic round instruments

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - it is unlikely to ever reach 180 km/h, speeds of over 6500 would be necessary for this

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - Stereo radio cassette player from the period

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - comfortable but small seats with manageable lateral support

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - Upholstery

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - Bonnet opens to the front

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - classic Mini mechanics - transverse in-line four-cylinder engine

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - the gearbox is under the engine

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - reference to the "New Innocenti" on the chassis badge

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - bonded connection to De Tomaso

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - plastic extensions and air scoop as distinguishing features of the top version

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - the air scoop in the hood

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - should bring more air to the engine

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - aluminum wheels

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - Ventilation in the C-pillar

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - mini lettering

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - important participants - Bertone and De Tomaso

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Innocenti Mini 90 L (1975) - when Leyland was still in charge

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Innocenti Mini 120 L (1975) - excellent city car

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Mini Innocenti Bertone 90 (1975) - with large tailgate for unhindered access - Geneva Motor Show 1975

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Innocenti Mini 120 L (1975) - Transparency drawing

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - can be distinguished from the tamer versions by the black extensions and hood

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - the classic Mini, but with a tailgate and angular Bertone dress

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - front view

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - rear view

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - sporty compact car with upright steering column - Geneva Motor Show 1978

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - View of the interior

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1979) - Advertising - Mobility popular with musicians

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1979) - exhibited at the 1979 Geneva Motor Show

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Innocenti Mini (1983) - now presented with three-cylinder engines from Daihatsu - at the 1983 Geneva Motor Show

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Innocenti Mini-Diesel (1985)

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - Recognizable air scoop

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - steep rear, large rear window

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Innocenti Mini De Tomaso (1978) - just over three meters long

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Summary

Around 50 years ago, just under 70 hp was still enough for maximum driving pleasure, at least when it was packaged as compactly as in the Innocenti Mini De Tomaso. However, the indirect descendant of the Mini Cooper S also had some tangible advantages to offer and was certainly a practical car. But it certainly wasn't quiet and velvety. This driving report tells the story of the Innocenti Mini De Tomaso and shows it in current and historical images.

This article contains the following chapters

Bertone's Mini
Fast version in Turin 1976
Extraverted
Delayed export
Not for wimps
From four-cylinder to three-cylinder

Estimated reading time: 7min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Anyone changing from a BMW X3 or a VW ID5 into the Innocenti Mini De Tomaso is in for a huge culture shock. If you were previously sitting high up and looking down at other road users, your backside is now only around 30 cm above the ground. The car ends just one meter in front of you, and there are only a good two meters to the rear. The entire Mini has a footprint of 4.77 square meters, which is just over half the space required by the aforementioned X3 or ID5 models. The Italian Mini variant also undercuts the modern SUVs in terms of height by 15 percent or more. You can hardly transport four (or even five) people in much less space. But not with much less comfort either. But who cares about that with the Innocenti?

Welcome to Zwischengas!

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