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There is a 1982 Innocenti Turbo De Tomaso locally. For sale quite cheaply too. Of course it doesn't run, has bald tires and parts would be tough. I believe its a Daihatsu Charade mechanically but those weren't sold in Canada and likely not common anywhere anymore. I don't really need another car but anyone know anything know anything more about them? Interesting find at the least.
I don't know much about the mechanical side of them but they're what Innocenti built as a development of the Innocenti Coopers. Might be worth looking at - they're super rare.
I would buy it.
I can tell you more about the Big Red Truck next to it. Heck, I can tell you more about the Napoleonic Wars than that car!
Isn't that vintage Inno comparable to the MG Metro?
I don't believe this one is not a Mini based at all anymore - MacStruts for suspension at least at the front. Interior looked presentable.
The truck next to it was a Dakota based Lil' Red Express - not sure if that was ever a factory model if this one was a tribute model.
In reply to pinchvalve:
Not to be pedantic (but I will anyway), those were called 'Lil Red Express by Dodge.
I saw one Innocenti around Saskatoon when it was new, but haven't seen it for years.
And there were a few Dakotas done up in little red express truck livery, but there weren't many sold.
I've had mine neye on that kijiji ad myself. Was quite... intrigued 
Wikipedia said:1976-1987 Innocenti Mini de Tomaso - sport version of Innocenti Mini developed by de Tomaso, initially equipped with BLMC 1275 engine, since 1982 with 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged Daihatsu engine
I found some Metro pictures, and while the body was similarly shaped, the grill/lights and hatch were considerably different.
Hard to tell with the snow, but it sure looks like a LeCar/R5 to me.
An Italian-built French car??? Hell yes I'd own it!!!! Besides, LeCars are fun, and it would be awesome to tell people "My DeTomaso is at home in the garage." :D
I think the real question you have to ask yourself is 'why not'? 
So it's settled then?
That it SO not what i was expecting to see when i glanced at the title words "De Tomaso" and then dove into this thread.
I can't fap to this.
But seriously, i'd buy it. I have no idea why, but i would.
93celicaGT2 wrote:I can't fap to this.
QFT
Not an R5/LeCar. What's going on with the rear hatch? Looks like there is a massive patch on the bottom, under the glass. Or some kind of snap-on fabric cover, or something. Looks odd.
But, I like it! Nice size, unique, and with crude continuing to go up, a gas sipper. Check it out!
They're definitely not based on an R5/Le Car.
I think the visible part under the rear hatch might be some sort of depression so you can get your hand in and lift up the hatch.
You are asking people on this forum to talk you out of something. That is silly. 
Have you bought it yet?
Hell, I'd buy it just for the name!
Innocenti Turbo De Tomaso
Not yet. Won't be able to see it for a day or two. The other side was a little rustier and the interior had a a rough stereo de-install and might need some wiring help. Still if its complete and not an out of province car I'm definitely interested. I even have a connection at the place selling it.
Seems to be more Daihatsu than Mini. Reading this http://www.detomasobybertone.com/img/83sestrada.jpg it does seem to have struts.
In 1982, the car was renamed the 3C as the company replaced the Mini underpinnings with chassis and straight-3 cylinder engines sourced from the Daihatsu Charade. The base model was now called the Innocenti 990, while the Innocenti De Tomaso now received a turbocharged version of the 993 cc powerplant, with a diesel variant also available.
Anyone read Italian? http://www.detomasobybertone.com/pdf/gm84.pdf The engine has a whole heck of a lot of tubes, hoses, and wires. Gotta love early 80s turbos and emissions.
Or French? http://www.detomasobybertone.com/pdf/autoretro99/1.pdf
The cb60 was also a three cylinder 993 cc engine, but was fitted with an IHI TurboCharger, which saw its power rise to 65-70 bhp.
mechanically similar to Charade Turbo I guess http://autospeed.com.au/cms/article.html?popularArticle&A=1126
ArthurDent wrote:Or French? http://www.detomasobybertone.com/pdf/autoretro99/1.pdf
I do, at least enough to decipher French Car mags. Anything special you need/want to know?
I think I'm ok now. I was looking to confirm its not the Mini based on but the Charade based one. I'm pretty sure it is now. The Mini based one would be neater and probably easier to find parts for. Still neat though.
I'd rather have a Mini or a Golf
Believe it or not I actually had an '84 non-turbo model as my first car. I bought it in the summer of '90 for $750 in need of nothing more serious than a wheel bearing. It was a lot of fun as a first car and took a lot of abuse! If I recall correctly it weighed in at around 1500lbs and I would regularly find it turned sideways in the school parking lot as 4 guys could easily lift the rear end off the ground. On-lookers were always entertained as you could drive around in a tight circle, jump off the gas and lift the inside rear wheel fairly high off the ground. Performamce was what you would expect out of a 55hp 3 cylinder (I think the turbo has something like 72hp) and top speed going downhill on a good day was about 155km/h (about 95mph). Parts seemed readily available through a shop called Leny's in Toronto but I have no idea whether they're still around. I can't cay I yearn fro another one but it would definitely be fun at the right price and a turbo would be even more desirable.
