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| My 1974 Innocenti 1300GT. My favorite "driver". The Innocenti export minis (this one imported from Italy) have lots of nice features like a nicer dash and interior, they are just a little more plush and better finished than the English minis. Italian cars like this one are of course left hand drive. This rare 1300GT was factory built to 1275 Mini Cooper S specifications. It is 9.9:1 compression, S rod and crank, real Cooper S head with extra stud, and S spec Cooper S intake. Even has the larger fuel tank and Cooper S spec front disc brakes w/power booster. Not restored, and not perfect, this is a really nice, presentable, 60,000 kilometer car with zero rust and all it's original panels. I really enjoy driving it, and it is not for sale. Well, not priced to sell anyway. I would be interested in buying another Innocenti Mini, especially a S spec car like this. |
| My 1959 Turner 950S. A friend purchased this as a sort of incomplete vintage race car missing engine, gearbox, and lots of other stuff. I thought it was pretty cute and so gave it a home with intention of building a dual purpose street/vintage race car when he lost interest. I converted it to front disc brakes and from disc to 15" wire wheels. The engine pictured is the 1275cc (orig 948) hot street/mild race engine we built. Buying a few parts, but mostly scrounging around in the attic, and trading with friends, we were able to fit it with an NOS head, Minimania race valves, Isky springs, high lift roller rockers, mega forged flat top pistons, electronic ignition, a huffaker race oil pan, headers, a alloy flywheel and competition clutch, and a BMC competition straight cut close ratio gearbox. It is now fitted with interior and a removable roll bar I fabricated for it. I still need to get to the wiring so I can drive it after dark. 3-400 pounds lighter than a spridget, it is very fun to drive for short trips on nice days. My son Shelby and I took it to a track day at Hallet Motor Racing Circuit and drove at speed for 3 or 4 hours in October of 2009. I would like to keep and enjoy this car for a couple years, so like the mini, it is not for sale. |