Lot 314: 1993 Rover Mini Limited Edition 'Italian Job'

"I wouldn't trust anyone who doesn't like The Italian Job" said Stereophonics front man, Kelly Jones - and one knows what he means. The Italian Job is one of those films that everyone (in Great Britain at least) knows; true, some may never have seen it but everyone knows of it and what it's about. One only has to say "You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off" and all know instantly who said it and from which film it came. As The Italian Job got into the hearts of the British public, it soon became an iconic piece of cinema and a cult following was born, much of it led by Mini owners both in Britain and around the world. Released in January 1993, the Rover Mini The Italian Job Special Edition was a standard specification Mini Sprite with extra trim and decals. Naturally, it was available in red, white and blue paintwork, as well as the popular British Racing Green. All models had white grilles, white Minilite-style wheels and black bonnet stripes to represent the leather bonnet straps on the film cars. Special decals and bonnet badges were on the exterior, consisting of a crossed English and Italian flag with The Italian Job in white lettering - except on the white cars where it was in black. Interior upholstery and equipment was based on the Mini Cooper, but with small Italian flags on the front seats and steering wheel. Halogen driving lamps were fitted at the front, the window glass was smoked and the rear side windows opened as on Cooper and Mayfair models; later production cars featured the interior bonnet latch and a modified grille. In total, just 1,000 right-hand drive models were produced for the British market, while 750 left-hand drive examples were exported to Italy to contend with the Turin traffic. Doubtless these Minis are still there, cutting up Fiat Cinquecentos, haring down piazzas and hiding in the car parks of Rover garages - if any remain. Originally supplied by Rover main agent Wadham Kenning Rover, this tribute to one of the most popular films of all time has until now been owned by just one owner. With a mere 31,000 miles recorded, this great example has been used little and garaged for a large part of its life. It also benefits from the addition of a Laserline 948 remote control alarm system as well as a MoT test certificate valid until October next year. Servicing has been carried out locally by Axtells of Bramley and a specialist mechanic who was previously the foreman at Wadham Kenning Rover. - As Mr Bridger famously said, "There is more to life than breaking and entering", a fact exemplified by this spirited little car.