1986 Innocenti de Tomaso: A Rare Italian-Japanese Pocket Rocket
Culture
Oddities
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The name is exotically Italian, but the car has complex origins. The 1986 Innocenti de Tomaso Turbo was never sold in the US, and this one which was recently listed on eBay was in Terrebone, a suburb of Montreal.
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The small turbo looks like a performance car, with a cute hood scoop - opens in new window or tab., blacked-out bumpers with inset fog lights - opens in new window or tab., spoiler, racing wheels, and “turbo” script in the rear light cluster.
The Canadian price translates to about US $15,000. Since it’s more than 25 years old, a law passed in 1988 - opens in new window or tab. means that Americans can legally import the beautiful boxy car to the States.
De Tomaso’s Small Sporty Hatch
The late Alejandro de Tomaso is a legend in the auto business. He is a former owner of Maserati whose name is attached to the fearsome Ford V-8-powered Pantera - opens in new window or tab. and Mangusta. The former race driver founded his company in Modena, Italy, in 1959.
The Ford-engined Pantera is De Tomaso's most famous car.
De Tomaso became a major industrialist with many companies in his stable, from Ghia - opens in new window or tab. and Vignale - opens in new window or tab. to Innocenti. And that’s where this car comes in.
An original Innocenti brochure for French buyers. The car was never sold in the US.
Automaker British Leyland founded Innocenti in 1974 to build versions of the versatile Mini for Italy. That worked for a while, but BLMC went bankrupt, and De Tomaso became part owner in 1976.
Never one to stay in the shadows, he put his name on the Innocenti Mini de Tomaso, first shown at the Turin show in 1976.
After 1982, De Tomaso replaced the British-derived engines and rubber suspension for more reliable McPherson struts and the three-cylinder single-overhead-cam Daihatsu power plants - opens in new window or tab. from the Charade minicar. Innocenti went to Fiat in 1993.
One-Liter Wonder
The turbo Innocenti de Tomaso is the sporting variant—if a one-liter car could be said to be performance-oriented. This one looks quite lovely, having covered only 25,200 miles.
Alejandro de Tomaso owned Innocenti when this car was built.
It’s just out of long-term temperature-controlled (important in Quebec!) storage. Last June, the owner made it ready for the road with fresh oil and filter, a coolant flush, new plugs, fuel pump, and battery. It starts easily and runs well.
Despite having only three cylinders, the low weight (1,600 pounds) gives it some oomph.
The Innocenti Turbo produces only 70 horsepower, but the car is so small and light—just 1,600 pounds—that it gets out of its own way. The turbo hatch reaches 62 miles an hour in 10.8 seconds, and the top speed is 103 mph. This is the five-speed version, but there was also a two-speed semi-automatic.
The hood scoop, fog lights, and spoiler are part of the “performance” image.
Just 10 Feet Long
The interior is a cheerful place to be, with two-tone cloth seats, a floor shifter, and a leather-wrapped Momo steering wheel - opens in new window or tab. with a “T” for Tomaso. A cassette unit, presumably original, sits in the unmodified dashboard.
The interior is cheery.
These cars are tiny, merely 10-feet long in the short-wheelbase version, but the rear seat is surprisingly spacious. And the hatchback adds practicality.
This example has shiny orange paint, unblemished seats, and a detailed engine bay. There are a few paint chips and minor blemishes. All the lights work.
This car is a remarkably well-preserved original, not a restoration. According to the seller, there are no mechanical issues, and the car’s suspension and brakes are original. The new owner should replace the tires since it’s currently wearing 35-year-old Michelins on the original de Tomaso-branded 1000 Miglia wheels - opens in new window or tab.. The headliner and door cards are like new, and the original spare tire, jack, and tool kit are in the trunk. The CARFAX is clean.
Rare But Parts Are Available on eBay
Taillights are just one of many rare parts available on eBay.
A small set of De Tomaso cars - opens in new window or tab. are usually available for sale on eBay. This little Innocenti is among an exotic field of Panteras and Mangustas. For such a rare car, there is a surprisingly wide variety of parts - opens in new window or tab. for these pint-sized turbo road rockets on eBay, including glass, taillights, an ignition cover, hood support, and lots of hard-to-find small items.
Daihatsu engines and components - opens in new window or tab. are also readily available, though this one should remain robust for many miles to come.
These turbos are scarce everywhere, but they’re especially elusive in the US. Driving this extroverted pocket performer will undoubtedly turn heads.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.