ON THE JOB
As The Italian Job hits 50, Michael Caine admits he learnt to drive on the iconic set
HANG on a minute, lads. I’ve got a great idea. The Italian Job is 50, the Mini is 60, so let’s have a little knees-up to celebrate.
So that’s exactly what Mini did.
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Ahead of a charity screening at the Mini factory in Oxford last night, two things happened.
First, Sir Michael Caine revealed that he learned to drive on the film set.
He told guests: “There’s a special thing about this film, personally, because I didn’t have a licence and I couldn’t drive.
“But we had such big areas for the Minis to move, you didn’t need a licence because they were closed to ordinary traffic. So for me it was incredible because I learned to drive on the movie.
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“Of course, the great star of the movie, which we didn’t know, was the Mini. We just used Minis because it was a new car out and it became a worldwide success.
“Now Mini is celebrating its 60th birthday which is fantastic. As a Brit, I’m very proud of this car and you should be very proud out there in the Mini plant for making it.
“One last thing. If by any chance you get an opportunity to read Matthew Field’s new book The Self Preservation Society, read it. It’s very good and much more important, the foreword is by me. OK? Good night.” Nice words from a living legend.
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MOST READ IN MOTORS
The screening raised cash for The Alzheimer’s Society and The Italian Job charity.
As for the second thing that happened, stuntman Paul Swift recreated the gold robbery scene with three old Minis, a modern Polizia car, and his old mate from The Sun.
You can watch the video above.
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TOP GEAR ROAD TEST:
SUPERCARS are terrible off road – because it means you’re having an accident. And because it comes with a starring role on social media and a massive repair bill.
Fortunately, Lamborghini has been thinking about a solution to this very First World problem. Bored of its creations being restricted to the road, Lamborghini has developed the Huracan Sterrato, a skunkworks project to weaponise its entry-level supercar for off-road adventure.
At its heart lies a 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10, generating 631bhp, which drives all four wheels up to a handy 186mph.
To help it handle the rough stuff, the Sterrato is raised by 43mm, the standard 20in wheels are wrapped in high-profile tyres developed with Pirelli to work on and off-road, the front, side sills and wheel arches are clad in material to protect against impact, and the underside is reinforced.
Two spotlights and a roof-mounted lightbar complete the look.
While initially it feels plain wrong to be hammering a supercar around an off-road course, and you wince at the noise of every impact, pretty soon the car’s capabilities encourage you to release your inner rally hero.
Few things can compare to being flat-out sideways in the Sterrato as it throws up a huge rooster tail of dust and gravel, with the V10 screaming over your shoulder.
The company has created a car to cope with the chaos of modern life and one freed from the constraints of the road network. But it’s smarter than that. Its reinforced bodywork cladding makes it fit for life in the urban jungle.
This is a supercar you can use as your daily drive, one that will survive door bangers at the local supermarket car park and one that you will always want to take the long way home in.
Lambo, if you build it, they will come.
- Read the full story in the July issue of TopGear, on sale now.