ADO16 in Italy
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The first 1100-based Innocenti – the IM3 – was so-named as it was the third Innocenti-Morris joint venture, following the A40 and 950 Spider. It was launched as a Morris in the spring of 1963, and was joined the following year by a more basic, Austin-badged model. Production of the Morris models ended in 1970, while the Austin continued until 1974. The 1275cc engine never made it into any of the Innocenti-built ADO16, though it was used in the Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300 and the later 'new' Mini 120.

Morris models

The Morris IM3/IM3S series was produced from 1963-1970. Launched in the Spring of 1963, the original IM3 featured modifications to the headlamps, fascia and interior. It had the twin-carb MG 1100 engine, and interestingly, a more upright steering wheel, made possible by the insertion of a universal joint in the steering column. Thus, the column disappears under the dashboard, instead of going straight down to the pedals as in the UK cars. The Morris IM3S (as pictured at the top of this page) was a mid-term revision of the IM3.

Innocenti Morris IM3

Innocenti Morris IM3S interior

Innocenti Morris IM3S fascia

Austin models

The Austin I4/I4S/I5 series was produced from 1964 to 1973. The Austin I4 was essentially an Austin 1100, built under licence with the standard single-carb engine and without the significant restyling applied to the IM3. The Austin I4S was a downmarket version of the Morris IM3S. The Austin I5, which replaced the I4 in the late 1960s, was effectively an Austin 1100 MkII, featuring the later car's slim fascia and strip-style speedo, plus a similar, wider grille, but retaining the MkI car's rear wings. In 1974, the I5 gave way to the locally-built version of the Allegro (called the Innocenti Regent), thus marking the end of the Innocenti ADO16 line.

NB: some sources refer to the I4 and I5 models as "J4" and "J5", but they are the same thing. The confusion is thought to have arisen from the fact that the car's badge featured the stylised "I" from Innocenti's logo, which in isolation could easily be mistaken for a "J".

Innocenti Austin I4

Innocenti Austin I5

Innocenti Austin I5 fascia and rear styling detail

Innocenti Austin I5

This page was contributed by Declan Berridge

Copyright © 2002 Keith Adams