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ITALIAN JOB TOUR Fans of the classic Michael Caine caper head to Italy for the tour of a lifetime.

More than 40 years after its release, the original and iconic Italian Job film is still a firm favourite amongst Mini enthusiasts.

Died-in-the-wool devotee Steve Edmonds has been taking fellow fans on a pilgrimage across Europe to visit the filming locations since 2004 – and this year’s event in July proved to be one of the best yet.

A group of 12 cars from as far away as Scotland arrived at Dover - eight Minis, a Scamp, an MG Metro and two modern cars. They were split into two groups of six to allow them to stay together and negotiate busy locations such as Geneva and central Turin. Steve led one group, while Chris Westgate, who took part in the 2004 and 2008 events, marshalled the other in his Scamp.

The route down to Italy involved numerous highlights. The first night in Maubeuge included a three-course meal and a surprise Birthday cake for runner Adrian Clarke, while the next day a lunch break near Reims featured a visit to the

famous former Grand Prix track with its wonderful grandstands.

Unfortunately there were a few car issues en route. Victor Kerr’s 1968 Mini Cooper developed ignition problems, while Matt Grigsby’s Mini suffered from a severe oil habit, earning it the nickname ‘Old Smokey’.

CLAIM TO FAMEAvoiding toll roads meant the runners could enjoy the superb Route Nationale - very straight tree-lined roads leading through picturesque countryside and quaint villages. Motorways in Switzerland were also avoided, with the cars heading up the Jura Mountains and through a very busy Geneva. Another climb to Mont Blanc Tunnel followed, with a puncture on Chris’ Scamp meaning the entire tunnel had to be shut down while security and rescue teams descended upon it. Apparently this just one of Scamp’s many claims to fame!

The first Italian overnight stay was in the stunning village of Entrèves, with the film locations coming thick and fast the

next day. The addition of a MINI owner living in Rome meant that 13 cars set off down the Aosta Valley to the film scene where Benny Hill picks the flowers, followed by the power station where the bike is thrown to create a power cut in Turin. It was then a case of a short mountain climb to the tunnel where the Lamborghini crashes.

A little bit of horn blowing and picture taking naturally took place before the second biggest climb of the tour – a trip up the St. Bernard’s Pass, used in the opening credits. The film’s early scenes were shot here, and it’s also where the Minis were pushed from the coach and tumbled down the mountainside.

THAT BLOODY EXIT...Split back into the two groups, it was then off to Famous Lingotto Hotel in Turin for the first of three nights’ stay. The hotel is set in part of what used to be the Fiat Factory, with the test track used in the film located on its roof.

Having had a few navigation issues and breakdowns on the way, the cars were

Words Chris Westgate, Jeff Ruggles, Photography Various

The famous GP buildings at Reims (top right), and the Town Hall where Camp Freddie overlooked the robbery (left).

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rested for the following days activity. Fuelled by a large breakfast, the group hopped on the Metro underground system bound for a walkabout tour of the city centre. The first and very memorable part was the Palazzo Madama, where the Mini’s burst through the doors and down the marble steps on their escape with the gold. Other highlights were the entry point of the heist Landrover, the huge areas of car parking that were heavily disguised in the film as a traffic jam, and the Town Hall, where Camp Freddy oversees the robbery. Some artful blagging by Italian-speaking runner Gary Phillips even saw a couple of people allowed on to the balcony!

The day also took in the Palazzo Carignano, the location where the getaway Minis are loaded with gold. Two pairs of blue overalls, helmets (one with a mesh visor) and pickaxe handles were dispatched from Steve’s trolley to re-enact the scene – the clicking of cameras could be heard from everywhere!

Other locations including the Galleria San Federico, the shopping centre where the motorcycle tumbles into the steps of

the Lux Cinema in pursuit of the Minis and the cleaner gets upset. Steve explained how the scenes were filmed and where the cameras were placed, with the repairs to the steps still evident today.

After a hearty evening involving Irish pubs and cheap wine, the group split once again the following day to visit more film locations by car. These included the scene of the 60-foot leap at Fiat Miafiori Factory, the ice skating rink where the deleted scenes were filmed and the steps of the Grand Madre Di Dio church where the wedding scene is shot. This stands beside the River Po and the weir that the Minis drive across as they escape from the Police. The final location was the Villa Della Regina, a.k.a. the gangs’ hide out, at the top of a hill overlooking a good percentage of the city.

Day seven was the moment many had been waiting for – the chance to drive on the famous banking. Some confusion with security led to some folk missing out, but it was still a real privilege. Later in the day came the last location on the tour, up the Colle del Nivolet for lunch at the

breathtaking point where the gold-laden coach famously overhangs the cliff at the end of the film.

OVER THE MOUNTAINS...After stopping at the same hotels near Mont Blanc, day eight saw the beginnings of the trip home. Unfortunately Old Smokey’s exhaust came adrift a couple of times en route to Geneva, but was successfully affixed before the group made its way back over the Jura Mountains and into France, with a blown coil on Mark Elliot’s MG Metro the only other delay.

This was to be the runners’ final night together, so it was with sadness they found their respective beds ready for the good byes in the morning. With Steve’s group opting to stay in Dunkirk and the other heading straight for the ferry, the participants duly went their separate ways after another memorable tour. Not one car needed a recovery truck either – even Old Smokey with it’s exhaust problems and thirst for oil. If you fancy joining the ranks next year, see www.italianjobtours.co.uk for all the info.

The journey to Turin took in the Aosta Valley, including the location where Professor Peach picked the flowers.

The convoy heads through the famous tunnel where the Lamborghini crashes

in the opening credits.

One of the many highlights was a chance to get on the famous Lingotto banking.

The hot temperatures on the trip necessitated a hat or two - preferably one with horns.

SHOW REPORT

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