Polistil Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300 Met. Green Vintage 1975 Diecast 1:25 S582

Rare and original Innocenti version of the Mini Cooper. Made around 1975 when Polistil were making their best models.

The model has the Innocenti’s unique dashboard (and LHD). The only detail not quite right for an Innocenti Mini is the letterbox shaped licence plate (Innocentis had a square recess for an Italian number plate).

Best known for its Lambretta scooter, Innocenti began licensed production of the Mini - known in Italy as the Innocenti Mini-Minor 850 - in 1965 and the following year offered its own version of the sporting Mini Cooper. For the most part the Italian-built Minis kept in step with developments of the UK product, although Innocenti's Mk III Mini-Cooper enjoyed the advantage of a full-width fascia incorporating a plethora of instruments and gauges quite unlike anything seen in a British Mini. Innocenti continued to manufacture its Cooper 1275 S equivalent - the Mini-Cooper 1300 - until 1973, two years after the end of UK production, and the model's final incarnation - the Mini-Cooper 1300 Export - until late 1975.

The model is slightly confusing as there’s no official mention of Innocenti and a red-herring with the car’s 1966 ‘D’ registration plate - GRX 195D is from one of the Mini Coopers that competed in the 1966 Monte Carlo rally.

Lovely metallic green paint with a gloss black roof and black plastic extended wheel arches. A previous owner has added some decals of race numbers, sponsor logos and 1966 Monte Carlo rally plaques. The bootlid has a white on black GRX195D number plate (although, being Italian-made, it’s left hand drive). Chrome headlight rings & grille (with the main grille painted black), shiny bare metal bumpers, chrome radio aerial, black windscreen wipers, working chrome door and boot handles (that rotate to open/lock), cast fuel cap painted silver (earlier models had a chrome insert), twin exhausts and 5-spoke star pattern alloy wheels. Glazed windows (with black ‘rubber’ surrounds), realistically glazed headlights and tinted rear lights.

Both doors open (remember to use the handles) and inside, the detailed interior is black (on earlier models, the 2 central dials are glazed), with a chrome 3-spoke steering wheel and gear lever. Front seats are fixed (earlier models hinge forwards at the front). The boot opens (remember to twist the handle) and reveals the chrome fuel tank. The bonnet opens revealing a nicely detailed chrome engine with MORRIS moulded into the valve cover, chrome air filter cover and ancillaries.

There’s a detailed black metal base with chrome engine/transmission and exhaust system. The 5-spoke chrome alloy wheels have grooved plastic tyres.

The S582 model number was also released with different paint colours (white, red, yellow-orange) and with racing decals. Red, green, yellow and racing yellow-orange examples are also listed.

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