8 replies to this topic

[Shed Racing]

I'm currently trying to find my old Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300 (PMG 316X) but if that quest fails then the other route to be taken is to purchase a different car.

 

Sounds simple except they're all concealed with camouflage at the moment!!

 

However, an added complication is that I find that there are Spanish market Morris Cooper 1300 cars that are somewhat similar.

From what I can glean (only 1 car!) the Spanish cars didn't have quarter light doors and the switches would appear different but they did have the six dial dash.

With that car being 45 years old then it might not always have been that way.

 

Is there a resource anywhere that can clarify the original specification of the cars - Spanish market and Italian market?

 

Thanks all.

 

 

 

 

[nicklouse]

Very different cars. Spanish drive couplings were unique. And IIRC the remotes were from the ADO16 not the Mini. 
 

have a look on AROline.

[Shed Racing]

I did start on AROnline and ended up more confused than when I started.

 

However, further digging and it starts to make a bit more sense.

 

Methinks I should stick with the original plan and chase an Italian built Innocenti if I can't find my old car.

I've already owned enough cars that have sprung time consuming and expensive surprises on me!

 

Cheers

[mab01uk]

This Authi Mini pictured below (spotted in Spain by a member of TMF on holiday) has driveshafts with outer Hardy Spicer joints, this was a unique original feature explained below.....







More info on the Spanish built Authi Minis and their differences here:-
"As well as ADO16s, Authi also produced their version of the Mini for local consumption. As with its larger brother, the aim was to achieve 100 per cent local content, and as a result, the Minis that rolled out of Pamplona were very interesting indeed. The easy route to component supply in these transplant operations is to import as many of these items as possible from the UK, but in the case of Authi, this avenue was not open to them, thanks to the Spanish government’s insistence on full local content. As a result, components such as SU carburettors, Lucas lights and Smiths instruments were all assembled under licence in a new factory at Manresa, north of Barcelona. Other items that would ordinarily have been supplied by component suppliers in the UK, were blueprinted by BMC and produced in Spain.
Even the A-series engines used by Authi were produced locally, at a factory at Los Conrales near Santander. Interestingly, one feature unique to the Authi-produced cars was the driveshaft design – whereas the standard Mini/1100 arrangement of Rzeppa CV (constant velocity) joints was used world-wide, the Spanish version had to make do with a more simple double UJ (universal joint) arrangement. This was because there were no suitable Spanish manufacturers of CV joints at the time… Another unque-to-Authi feature was the casting code: NMQ."

 

AROnline - Mini Overseas : Spain :-

http://www.aronline....overseas-spain/

Edited by mab01uk, 20 February 2021 - 07:25 PM.

[InnoCooperExport]

The Authi dashboards may look like the Innocenti one, and the moulding is probably the same, the dials inside however are very different. The Innocenti ones are always Veglia Borletti or Jaeger made. Authi used some that looked more like VDO but I cannot think of what they actually are. The Authi dials are deeper set in the binnacle as well with deeper bezels. 

 

The Authi's also used different seats from Innocenti, all leather/vinyl for Authi, vinyl bolsters and fabric centres for Inno. There's also more other interior differences in the doorcards etc. Innocenti used doorpockets which were full length of the door, Authi were shorter like a map pocket. 

 

Authi

 

Innocenti

 

Innocenti of course have the typical square number plate cutout on the boot, whereas Authi were oblong like UK cars AFAIK. 

 

Authi used Rostyle wheels where Innocenti used Fergat/Firsat, they look similar but actually very different! 

 

Rostyle

 

Firsat

[nicklouse]

I'm currently trying to find my old Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300 (PMG 316X) but if that quest fails then the other route to be taken is to purchase a different car.

 

No tax paid since 1989 but the V5 was applied for March 2019.

 

it might still be out there.

[Shed Racing]

Believe me, I'm a hunting!

[Dusky]

That double Ujoint setup intrigues me, how did they keep the UJ angles correct through the suspension travel?

[62S]

The Authi Cooper was the last Cooper to be introduced in the 1970's, not appearing until late 1973 replacing the Spanish Mini 1275GT which had a round front.

 

Authi Cooper instruments are Veglia Bressel. The speedometer and rev counter are not set deeper but angled withing their casings.

 

The original Authi Cooper steering wheel is the same style as the Austin/Morris 1300GT.

 

The Authi Cooper interior picture above doesn't show original seat covers, they were the same style as Innocenti Cooper covers of the time with the material centre section.

 

Authi Cooper switches (three of them) are rocker switches but on on their side compared to UK rocker switches. The same style and orientation of rocker switch was used on UK built cars for some export markets.

 

Authi doors and fittings are much the same as UK doors, the main difference being the addition of door pockets which are shorter than the Inno ones.

 

The Authi Cooper has the rod change gearbox. Earlier Authi Mini's used the Austin 1100/1300 remote gearchange.

 

Authi Cooper bootlid is the same as the UK bootlid of the time and uses the same number plate light.

 

A friend of mine owns this one (which I think he has in storage) and was thinking of selling: