Contents:
- Editor's welcome
- John Kay - Man of Rochdale
- Photography by Karl
- Rochdale Cycling Club
- Rochdale Borough Police Force
- Northern Baroque Orchestra
- Junction 21 Executive Travel
- ‘Keeping Rochdale Dancing’ for 70 years
- Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Skylight Circus Arts
- Interview with Keith Hicks - Rochdale AFC
- Rare Innocenti Mini Cooper »
- Birds at Hollingworth Lake
- Noddy's Puncture
- Addams Family - Theatre Review
- Take a walk in Healey Dell
- Hairdressing Trend - Precision Haircut
- Carole Kelly - Woman of Rochdale
- Scones & Strawberry Jam recipe
- Burn those calories but don't singe your skin
- Plastic-free glitter created in Rochdale
Summer 2019Rare Innocenti Mini Cooper
The Mini gracing the cover of the Summer issue of Real Rochdale is an unusual one.
The almond green vehicle is a rare Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300 Export from 1973, which was bought and imported from Italy by local businessman Jonathan Rigg 25 years ago.
Under the ownership of the British Leyland Motor Corporation, rebodied versions of the Mini were built in the 1970s in Milan, giving rise to the Innocenti Mini.
Created as the equivalent of the 1275 Cooper S for the Italian market, the 1300 Export was introduced in 1973.
When purchased, the Mini was in ‘a sorry state’ before undergoing restoration.
Jonathan said: “I had a Mini when I was younger, and wanted something to do, so I bought the Export for £500 and decided to restore it to its former glory.”
In the last 15 years, the Mini has been out only a few times.
Jonathan added: “I think this is the first time it has been out in about 10 years. I did drive it briefly when I was between cars, but it is kept in storage now. It only comes out on special occasions.”