The hunt for the Mini ...preservation society
THE RACE is on to find out what happened to the original red, white and blue Minis used in Michael Caine crime caper The Italian Job.
Experts believe several could still be intact somewhere… so long, of course, as no one has “blown the bloody doors off!”
The 1969 movie, tells the story of a daring heist in which a gang of British crooks, led by Caine’s character Charlie Croker, defy the Italian Mafia by stealing a shipment of gold bullion before making an audacious getaway in three
Mini Coopers.
Now, 52 years later, the hunt is on to find the motors used in the film.
Car collectors and movie memorabilia aficionados have been searching for the missing Minis for decades.
Interest spiked when a box containing key paperwork relating to the identity of the cars was discovered in a damp cellar, untouched for half a century. And the death last week of stunt driver Rémy Julienne at the age of 90 has given new urgency to the search.
For the past 30 years Freddie St George has organised an annual fundraising rally based on the film, in which up to 100 Minis make a pilgrimage to Italy. He said: “Imagine if we discover these Minis are still alive and well and have been hiding in a barn for decades.
“How amazing would it be to say you own one of the Minis from The Italian Job?”
And Karen Drury, editor of Miniworld magazine, added: “What if someone unknowingly learnt to drive in an Italian Job Mini. Now that would be cool.”
The recently discovered notebooks, which reveal for the first time the registration details of all six cars, belong to a crew member.
Now the hunt is on to find Minis with the following number plates: NOC 72F, NOC 73F, NOC 74F, NOC 75F, NOC 76F and MON 795F. The cars were registered between August 1, 1967, and July 31, 1968.
Every classic Mini owner is being urged to check their number plate. Engine and chassis numbers do exist, but to avoid clones being produced they will remain confidential until a potential car is identified.
The DVLA says the cars are no longer on its system. However DVLA records only go back to 1978. It is thought the Minis could have ended up overseas.
Filmmakers certainly put the cars through their paces. The famous film chase begins with the Minis descending a large staircase into one of Turin’s labyrinth of gallerias, speeding past coffee shops and restaurants as pedestrians jump out of their path.
Later the Minis cross a fast-flowing weir and speed through a sewer pipe before entering a moving coach.
One of the most audacious stunts involves the Minis making a daring leap from one rooftop to another.
There was much apprehension beforehand – one Italian cameraman reportedly had a nervous breakdown and ran off in tears.
David Salamone, who not only played one of the getaway drivers but also sourced and prepped the cars, was constantly fixing them.
At the end of production he remembers some were in better condition than others: “There was talk we were going to do a promotional tour with three of them.” After filming the actors playing the getaway drivers drove the Minis back to England.
The Self Preservation Society: 50Years Of The Italian Job, by Matthew Field, published by Porter Press, £30. To order your copy with free UK delivery call The Express Bookshop on 01872 562310 or order at expressbookshop.co.uk. Delivery 10-14 days