14 replies to this topic

[MiniMoi]

As you all are probably familiar with them, I got a lead on a Innocenti dashboard for a 74 1300 Inno Cooper. My question is (they are obviously rare) if it will fit into an normal Mini interior.

MiniMoi

Edited, this is what it looks

[Dan]

It should do. If it is from a Mini-shaped Innocenti it will definitely go straight in, but I think you have to ditch the top dash rail. It might fit with it in place but you probably won't be able to see the gauges past it as they are pointed slightly upwards. The thing is that '74 was the year the Bertone styled Innocenti's started to appear alongside the original. If it is from one of these it still should fit (since Bertone only restyled the outer panels and left the substructure of the shell alone) but there might be some extra brackets needed and stuff. The Bertone dash is very different to the other ones though, so you might be shocked when you see it if it is one of them.

Bear in mind that the VAST majority of Innocecti dashes made are LHD so you might find that when you get it most of your gauges are in front of your passenger!

Check this site out, - Linky-link.

---- Ok, just seen your edited post. Yes that will fit easily, but the gauges are obviously passenger side!

Edited by Dan, 20 January 2005 - 11:55 AM.

[MiniMoi]

The gauges will be no problem since I have a LHD Mini. What do you think these dashes are worth. You don't come across them everyday, this one has been for sale for a while, he's asking something of 170 pounds for it, it includes the top dash rail.

MiniMoi

[Alburglar]

I had a good look round an innocenti a couple of days ago, and would say, yes it will fit no probs.

[MiniMoi]

Alburglar I haven't seen the dash in person nor have I seen an innocenti Mini in real life, so am I right when I see that there is a gap between the rail that holds all the knobs of like lights, hazzard lights, etc and the actuall dashboard? Is this like a box where you can put stuff, or is it open so you can see the floor inbetween the gap. Ok probably doesn't make much sence, but hope you understand.

MiniMoi

[siggy]

Using the Inno top rail trim, It will fit a UK spec Mini. But the wiring is completely different and the gauges will not read correctly.

Siggy

[MiniMoi]

How hard are these problems to overcome? And which gauges will not read correctly? All of em or just your speedo since we have km/h and you guys have mp/h?

MiniMoi

[Dan]

Sorry, didn't register that you were in Holland.
No, the minor gauges will need the correct senders to work with them if your car was orignally built with the more traditional Mini dash. Or if you fit Smiths gauges then these will work with the standard senders. I think Innocenti used Jeager gauges rather than Smiths which is why the senders work differently.
I don't think the parcel tray is part of the moulding, I think it needs a cardboard trim type parcel tray like the other Mini's have.
As for the cost, original parts are a little rare outside Italy it's true. But remember that at least one of the Mini specialist bodykit type companies makes reproduction Innocenti dashes, so don't pay over the odds. If your car isn't an original Inno then you don't need an original dash as much as someone else would, so don't get ripped off for it. Find out how much the re-pro's go for and work from there.

Edited by Dan, 20 January 2005 - 06:40 PM.

[MiniMoi]

Thanks for the replies guys, I told the seller that I will look further. Right now the Mini I am saving parts for is far from realisation so by the time I get to the interior I will start looking again. But to buy a dashboard right now for a car that might take 1,5 years to build before I can even use it and than cause problems is not the thing I am looking for.

MiniMoi

[Alburglar]

Alburglar I haven't seen the dash in person nor have I seen an innocenti Mini in real life, so am I right when I see that there is a gap between the rail that holds all the knobs of like lights, hazzard lights, etc and the actuall dashboard? Is this like a box where you can put stuff, or is it open so you can see the floor inbetween the gap. Ok probably doesn't make much sence, but hope you understand.

MiniMoi

The space I think you are on about is between the top and bottom rail on the passenger side.
In the inno it is trimmed.

[siggy]

You cannot use the Inno fuel sender as the tank is different.

There are 2 makes of gauges in them.

Do you know who makes the repo Inno dashes, I have never heard of any nor has any of the guys who have Innos?

Siggy

[Dan]

Now that you mention it Siggy, I am finding it hard to track them down. The dashes definitely used to appear in one of the catalogues. It may have been the Mini Spares Centre accessory catalogue or it may even have been a non specialist Mini place like Europa, I can't remember. But I do remember the ad very clearly, they were available in the five and six clock versions, and the six clock was available in RHD as well as LHD. They were black grained like the original but much thicker material.

It may have been Camlo who made them, and I think that they have pretty much ceased trading now as it is almost impossible to find their wing liners (and I went and threw away a perfectly good set five years ago because I got annoyed with them while trying to squeeze them in, wish I had them now!) or battery boxes (again, I threw one away).

Actually, there once was a plastic dash for the Mini called a Vistadash. There was an alternative version with a slightly different layout called an Altadash. I can't remember who made them, but I think it was the same people who did the Inno ones. They also made a glovebox liner for the dashes and a few other parts. There have been so many long standing Mini parts makers gone to the wall in the last four or five years it's hard to keep track.

[siggy]

I know that AndyB of the Inno forum was looking into getting some made. as he did not know of any being produced.

I remember the Madadash (if thats the right name) but that was nothing like the Inno one.

Maybe if it as made of fibre glass it would not fit as the Inno one needs to flex to get it to fit.

Siggy

[bluebottle]

rokee used to make dashes in a couple of styles to take alternative gauges, some of those were a bit like the inno type dash, but certainly not a replica.

a friend of mine sold a complete set of innocenti mini instruments on ebay last year, and he got around the £100 mark for them.

[Dan]

I don't remember seeing a Rokee that looked like an Inno, I'll have to ask my Grandad. He worked at Rokee and made just about all of their products in the 80's and 90's (they are a very small company). But thinking about it the repro's I have seen may have been in one of the catalogues I saw from their factory. They used to get all these catalogues from all over the world that you can't get here, like these Japanese ones which were about 300 pages, all of Mini bits.