http://www.performancedirect.co.uk/blog/post/2011/09/26/A-Non-Standard-Mini-Adventure.aspx
Jeff Ruggles, Features Editor at Mini Magazine, dreamed up the latest plan to catch the eye of Performance Direct’s Non Standard Awards judges:
Stylish Italy and a traditional British icon like the Mini might seem at odds with each other, but thanks to a certain film they enjoy a rather special relationship.
That film is of course the Italian Job, a classic movie that sees Michael Caine and co steal a consignment of gold from under the noses of the Italian Mafia, before making their getaway through the streets of Turin in three Mini Coopers.
Turin is now a pilgrimage for many a classic Mini owner, but Jeff wanted to do it differently.
Rather than make his way to Italy in a British car, he decided to actually buy the Mini in Italy before taking it to Turin and visiting all the famous film locations. The Italian Minis are not like the British ones – made under licence in Milan by Innocenti from 1965 until the mid ‘70s, they’re a sharp Italian-suited version – the same basic looks, but with an added dose of style. And a cigarette lighter as standard.
Jeff’s Innocenti Mini was a 1973 1001 model in Castoro marrone – or Beaver brown should you put it in Google translate. It was purchased in Versilia, a beach resort north of Pisa famed for Russian millionaires and celebs. Ignoring its various knocks and noises, Jeff headed via Genoa up to Turin. Here he planned to visit the locations of the film, on some occasions in the early hours to beat the shoppers and, ahem, the Police, before making his getaway over the Alps. What could possibly go wrong?
To find the answer you’ll need to take a look at Mini Magazine’s December and January issues featuring Jeff’s Non Standard Awards powered mini adventure.
