Innocenti stopped producing scooters in 1971, but they did not go out of business. Rather, they focused on building other products. Innocenti had been building cars, alongside the scooters, for a long time. They had aquired the license to build Austin sedans in Italy from BMC in 1960. Shortly thereafter, they started building the car you see pictured above... the Innocenti Spider. This car was based on the Austin-Healy Sprite, which shared components with MG's Midget sportscar. Eventually, Innocenti moved on to make their own version of the Austin Mini, which was quite popular in Italy. In fact, it appears that their sales volume in Italy in the late 60's was second only to Fiat. By the time Innocenti stopped making the Lambretta, it seems as though they decided to halt all vehicle production, and focus on their other manufacturing lines. Their whole car production line was bought outright by British Leyland (the manufacturer of most British cars at that time) in 1972.
Turning back to the Innocenti Spider - While the motor and undercarriage were the same as the Austin-Healey, Innocenti changed the body design. They contracted with Carrozzeria Ghia for the new body, with quite spectacular results. The Austin-Healey is a good looking car (especially the early "bug eye" version), but there is little doubt that the Innocenti Spider is simply beautiful.
I have seen this particular car in person at the last Alameda Italian Day show, and I can tell you it is as nice in person as it looks in the photos. You have to be very confident of your bodywork to paint a car black, and the panels on this car are great. If you'd like this car, it is for sale right now at the well-known collector car dealer Fantasy Junction. It is not what I'd call cheap, but at $25,000 USD, it is not totally out of reach either. I must say, it would look good in my garage next to the SX200!