Description
The Innocenti IM 3 was one of the most refined and distinctive small saloons of the early 1960s—an Italian-built version of the British Austin A40 Farina, reinterpreted with elegance, precision, and a degree of craftsmanship that reflected Milanese taste and automotive sophistication. Produced between 1963 and 1967, the IM 3 (short for Innocenti Milano 3) marked a high point in Innocenti’s collaboration with the British Motor Corporation (BMC), combining the reliability and proven engineering of British mechanicals with the design finesse and quality of Italian production. It was the car that established Innocenti not merely as a license builder, but as a maker of small automobiles that could rival the best in Europe for style and finish.
The IM 3 originated from Innocenti’s licensing agreement with BMC, which had begun with the Austin A40 assembled in Milan from 1960 onward. The A40, styled by Pininfarina, already possessed a distinctly Italian aesthetic, but Innocenti sought to elevate it further—reworking the car to suit domestic tastes and improve its overall quality. The result was the IM 3, introduced in 1963 as a more luxurious and technically advanced version of the A40, aimed at discerning Italian buyers who valued refinement and design excellence even in a small car.
Under the bonnet, the IM 3 was powered by BMC’s dependable 1,098 cc A-Series four-cylinder engine, producing 55 horsepower—slightly more than the standard A40 thanks to improved carburetion and tuning. This gave the car lively performance for its size, with a top speed of around 140 km/h (87 mph) and brisk acceleration through its four-speed manual gearbox. The A-Series engine was renowned for its flexibility and smoothness, and in the IM 3 it delivered refined power suitable for both city driving and open-road touring. The car’s compact size and light weight made it agile and easy to maneuver, while its strong torque ensured relaxed cruising at moderate speeds.
The chassis and suspension were carried over from the A40 but refined during Italian production. The car employed independent front suspension with coil springs and wishbones, and a live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs—simple yet effective, providing a comfortable ride and predictable handling. The steering was light and precise, and hydraulic drum brakes on all four wheels delivered adequate stopping power for the car’s modest performance. What truly set the IM 3 apart, however, was the care taken in its assembly and finish. Innocenti’s craftsmen achieved tighter panel fit, smoother operation of mechanical components, and a level of attention to detail rarely seen in small cars of the time.
Visually, the Innocenti IM 3 was a triumph of subtle Italian refinement. While it shared its basic proportions and structure with the Pininfarina-styled A40, Innocenti reworked almost every exterior detail. The front end featured a new, more elegant grille composed of fine horizontal bars and a proud central emblem bearing the stylized “i” badge of Innocenti. The headlights were set into reshaped bezels, and the bumpers gained polished overriders that gave the car a more upscale look. Chrome was used tastefully around the windows, beltline, and lamps, adding a touch of sophistication without ostentation. The two-tone paint schemes—often in rich combinations of silver, burgundy, blue, and cream—further emphasized its Italian flair. The overall impression was one of compact dignity: a small saloon with poise, balance, and unmistakable refinement.
The interior of the IM 3 was where Innocenti’s influence was most evident. It bore little resemblance to the austerity of its British cousin. The dashboard was redesigned in a clean, horizontal layout, finished in body colour with polished aluminium or wood-effect trim. The instrumentation was comprehensive and neatly arranged: a large central speedometer flanked by auxiliary gauges for fuel, temperature, and amperage, all framed within chrome bezels. The steering wheel, elegant in ivory or black plastic with a metal horn ring, complemented the dashboard’s simplicity. Seats were upholstered in fine cloth or vinyl, often in coordinated two-tone colour schemes that matched the exterior. The door panels carried tasteful stitching and chrome handles, while the carpets were thick and well-fitted. Even small details—the precision of the switchgear, the feel of the window winders, the alignment of the door frames—reflected Innocenti’s commitment to craftsmanship.
On the road, the Innocenti IM 3 delivered a driving experience that combined the best of British engineering with Italian polish. The A-Series engine was smooth and eager, the gearbox light and precise, and the ride supple over rough surfaces. The car’s compact dimensions made it ideal for city use, yet its stability at higher speeds gave it the confidence for long-distance journeys. Italian testers of the time praised its quietness, well-damped suspension, and solid construction, noting that it felt like a much more expensive car. Compared to its British counterpart, the IM 3 exuded a sense of calm refinement and composure—it was as though a modest economy car had been transformed into a miniature grand tourer.
Innocenti marketed the IM 3 as a car for the discerning middle class—professionals and families who desired quality and elegance in a compact, affordable package. Its pricing positioned it slightly above domestic rivals such as the Fiat 1100, but buyers recognized the value in its superior finish and driving manners. It quickly gained a reputation for reliability and mechanical simplicity, while its understated style appealed to those who preferred quiet sophistication over flash.
By 1967, the IM 3’s production came to an end as Innocenti began preparing for its next generation of cars—eventually leading to the company’s Mini-based models and, later, its transition into small urban vehicles. But the IM 3 remained a defining model in Innocenti’s history: the car that demonstrated Italy could take a British concept and perfect it through design, craftsmanship, and attention to detail.
Today, the Innocenti IM 3 is cherished by collectors and enthusiasts as one of the most elegant small saloons of the 1960s. Its rarity, combined with its build quality and timeless design, makes it a sought-after piece of automotive history. Restored examples reveal the subtle brilliance of Innocenti’s approach: refined lines, rich interiors, and the gentle hum of the A-Series engine—a reminder of a time when collaboration between nations could produce something genuinely harmonious.
The Innocenti IM 3 was, in many ways, the perfect small car of its era—mechanically simple, beautifully made, and quietly stylish. It stood as proof that even a modest family saloon could possess character, grace, and refinement when shaped by Italian hands.