THE AUSTIN-HEALEY SPRITE FROM ITALY – THE INNOCENTI 950/1100S

“A version of the Sprite with innate appeal to the sort of motorist who habitually wore sunglasses indoors” – that is how I described the Innocenti nearly eight years ago for Practical Classics and I stand by my words. It is the sort of sports car that belongs in the world described by Peter Sarstedt in Where Do You Go To My Lovely?, yet its underpinnings hailed from the UK.

Some 64 years ago Innocenti, then best known for its motor scooters, signed an agreement with the British Motor Corporation (BMC) to assemble the Austin A40 ‘Farina’ for the Italian market. The locally built version allowed BMC to circumvent Italy’s very strict import regulations, with Innocenti aiming to rival Fiat. An interpretation of the Sprite followed shortly afterwards but some executive in Milan believed the ‘Frogeye’ looks would not appeal to their customers.

As a result, Tom Tjaarda of Carrozzeria Ghia devised the exquisite coachwork which was made by OSI of Turin. The Sprites were then moved to the Innocenti plant next door for final assembly. The ’Innocenti 950’ debuted at the 1960 Turin Motor Show. Compared with the ‘Frogeye’, it was more comfortable with longer doors that boasted external door locks and winding windows; luxuries that were beyond the dreams of a UK Sprite owner. Innocenti had the rights to sell the 950 worldwide and The Observer thought “few will waste a glance on the standard British-built body once they have seen the Italian version”.

The 1100S succeeded the original model in 1963, gaining front disc brakes to complement the larger engine. Production lasted until 1965 when Innocenti replaced it with the ‘C Coupe’. The remarkably elegant styling was by Sergio Sartorelli who also created the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Type 34’s bodywork.

Some enthusiasts were surprised the C was not available with the 1,275cc unit of the 1966 Sprite Mk. IV/Midget Mk. III but Innocenti had a large stockpile of the 1,098cc units. The last of 795 examples departed the factory in August 1968. The C’s domestic market was ambitious drivers who craved an Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior or a Lancia Fulvia Coupé Rallye 1.3 but had a Fiat 850 Coupe income.

Innocenti did sell a number of Sprites in the USA, despite the comparatively high price. Certainly the cigar lighter and reversing lamps were not found on their British equivalent but Road & Track thought in 1964 “At $2920 it is definitely out of the Sprite price range, and while it is certainly not inferior to the Sprite in any way, it is not $800 better and, furthermore, is not strikingly different”. Yet:

On the other hand, it is undoubtedly a well finished and attractively designed small sports car, and it has the added virtue of being built around the well-tried BMC components, which eliminates the parts and service problem associated with any limited-production automobile. For those people who are enamored with the Sprite but would like, and can afford, a little more comfort and a little more class, the Innocenti S may well be the answer.

Such a review leads to the question as to the Innocenti’s prospects in the UK. As with Italy, the cost would have been inflated by import duties. The Milan-built Sprite could have been an interesting niche vehicle – and you can really imagine it being driven by a guest-villainess in a Diana Rigg-era episode of The Avengers. As the US brochure claimed - “Body By Ghia – Soul By Sprite”.