Carrozzeria designs
Throughout the history of BMC>Rover, there have been many links forged between the the UK and Italy.
The Italians have consistently been capable of producing the best looking cars in the industry, and at times in its history, BMC>Rover have used this to great effect. The most famous partnership was that between Pininfarina and BMC, but also a long standing one between Triumph and Michelotti was cultivated during the 1960s. Following the merger in 1968, the feeling within upper management was that design should be taken in-house, as a statement of intent - the results were a mixed success. It can be argued that the halcyon days of British car design were those that co-incided with Italian co-operation.
This gallery is dedicated to the Italian designs that did not make it into production.
Bertone
The prolific Italian design house had little to do with BMC>Rover, and it was the Italian subsidiary - Innocenti - that managed to marry Bertone's unique style with British engineering prowess for the production models. Bertone did, however, flirt with Jaguar repeatedly, and the results can be seen here....
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Frua
Frua were more readily associated with BMW, but it did not stop the company trying to re-style a British icon.
Italsuisse
In automotive terms, the Swiss have not been noted for their tasteful re-designs. This Jaguar continues the tradition.
Michelotti
Despite a long and fruitful relationship with Triumph (and more specifically, one between Harry Webster and Giovani Michelotti), Michelotti's involvement in the UK industry slowly ebbed away after 1968. They did built some intriguing small cars, which never got near the production line...
Pininfarina
Pininfarina + BMC = ADO16. Perfection. QED. There were more cars produced for BMC>Rover by Pininfarina than just the 1100, and these can be viewed in this gallery.
Zagato
Zagato also produced some fascinating designs during the 1960s, one based on the Mini, the other on the Rover P6.