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What comes to mind when you think of the classic British film, The Italian Job? Michael Caine – certainly. The Swinging Sixties – for sure. And classic cars. Lots and lots of classic cars!

It’s no surprise the film (which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019) is so popular with classic car lovers. Some of the greatest performance cars of the time make an appearance, including Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Fiat and Mini Cooper. It’s little wonder The Italian Job is regularly voted one of the greatest car-centric films ever made.

If you’ve not seen the film for a while, here’s a quick reminder of the storyline. Charlie Crocker (played by Michael Caine) devises a plan to steal $4 billion of gold by hiding it in three Mini Coopers. Crocker and his band of hapless cockney crooks make their getaway through the Italian city of Turin. And the film culminates in one of the most memorable bus rides of all time.

Ironically, despite cars being a central feature of the film, Caine didn’t know how to drive at the time of filming. But we digress…

If you’re a fan of the film (or of any of the classic motors featured in the film), an Italian Job-style road trip might just be your perfect holiday.

Here’s our guide to all the best places to visit and the things you need to know when driving in Italy – from the rules of the road to classic car insurance. We’ve also thrown in a rundown of which classic cars make an appearance in the film.

Itinerary: Planning your route

Spoiler alert: Most classic cars featured in the film end up being pushed off the edge of cliffs. With that in mind, it comes as no surprise that an Italian Job-inspired road trip will take you round many winding mountain roads.

Taking a starting point in Turin, you can take the road east from the city (E70) towards the town of Rivoli and onwards to Susa. Make the most of the flat plains and level roads on this route (as well as the cathedrals, abbeys and Roman amphitheatres you will find on the way). Once in the alpine valley of Susa, you will need to head north into the mountains before crossing into France.

You have two options here. You can take the more direct route to the border along the SS25 and take in some incredible views on the way. Or you can opt for the more thrilling – and challenging – SP212, a road that is littered with breath-taking hairpin bends (as well as endless amazing scenery).

Once over the border you can continue north towards Val d’Isère (why not stop for a coffee and leg-stretch?) and then up towards Seez and the multiple hairpin bends of Little St Bernard Pass (D1090).

Continuing your journey, you’ll continue along the Saint Bernard Pass, where the opening scene featuring a Lamborghini Miura was filmed. (More about that scene and classic car later).

Once you have crossed the border from France to Italy, you can head east towards Aosta. Set against a backdrop of Mont Blanc, here you’ll find the tunnel featured in the opening sequence. From there, you can take a leisurely loop and head south, back down towards Turin.

Covering more than 200 miles and taking you high into the Alps, this road trip is all about timing. Start early in the day if you plan to do it in one go, and avoid travelling during the winter months as the mountain roads can be treacherous.

 

Turin: Places to visit

Much of the film’s action takes place in the beautiful city of Turin. Filled with stunning Baroque architecture, elegant squares, Roman ruins, and glorious art museums, Turin is a great place to use as your base.

When it comes to planning your route around the city, you’re spoilt for choice. However, considering what the cars get up to in the film, you’re not going to be able to follow the exact route. The film sees Minis hurtling down stairs, zipping through ‘gallerias’, jumping off rooftops and splashing through the River Po.

What you can do, however, is visit these locations on foot. Head to the Palazzo Carignano, which is where the gold is loaded into the Minis, then walk down the steps of the Palazzo Madama and those by the Gran Madre de Dio church (with the wedding scene). You might also want to stroll through the Galleria dell’Industria and Galleria San Frederico (the two shopping arcades the Minis were driven through).

And every classic car fan should check out the rooftop test-track located on the top of the Fiat factory (and scene of the three-Mini chase and rooftop jump). Since converted into a retail, hotel and events space, the factory was built in the 1920s as a huge spiral production line, with raw materials going in at the bottom of the building and the finished vehicle being test driven at the top.

Other must-see tourist spots for classic car enthusiasts around Turin include the National Automobile Museum to the south of the city on the banks of the River Po. Boasting more than 200 centuries of motoring memorabilia, this is a truly interactive, immersive museum experience and a hit with any classic car lover.

Finally, you might be tempted by the Cerrina racetrack, located on the outskirts of Turin. It has a number of configurations, ranging from long, sweeping curves to razor tight hairpin bends. Not only did the film do wonders promoting the classic Mini Cooper, it did the same for the city so it’s well worth spending some time here to discover all its Italian Job gems.

Rules of the road: Driving in Italy

For some drivers, the thought of driving in Italy brings with it clichéd images of packed roads filled with non-signalling vehicles. While that may be the case in some cities, driving around the majority of the country is a pleasure. But you do need to know the rules of the road before you set off.

As well as the obvious rules – seat belts must always be worn, no drinking and driving, sticking to the speed limit and always carrying a spare tyre and warning triangle – there are other pieces of road etiquette and admin to remember.

Overtaking: This is not permitted approaching bends, brows of hills, intersections, or level crossings. Priority must be given to vehicles coming from the right, while on narrow, mountain roads, the descending vehicle should reverse to a passing point.

Parking: Parking is not allowed on or near a bend, intersection, brow of a hill, in cycle lanes or on pavements. Areas painted white are free to park, blue areas are paid parking, and yellow denotes disabled or permit parking.

Tolls: Tolls can be paid with cash, credit card or a prepaid card or payment system.

Road quality: The quality of roads in Italy tends to be better the further north you are. Rural and out-of-town roads are often less well-maintained than those in cities and road markings are not always obvious.

Weather: If you're driving in mountainous areas during the winter months (not recommended), you may come across snow. Vehicles must be equipped with winter tyres or carry snow chains between October and April (or when conditions demand them). Different areas have their own rules around the use of winter tyres and snow chains, so always check before you go.

Classic car insurance: At the time of writing,  Italy and the UK are both part of the Green Card system, meaning UK classic car insurance policies are recognised in Italy – and vice versa. Always contact your insurance provider before setting off as additional cover may be required.

If you are driving your classic car from the UK to Italy, here are the key things to remember:

• You must be aged 18 years or over and hold a full, valid driving licence
• You should always carry your driving licence, proof of ID (e.g. passport), classic car insurance certificate, and V5 registration document
• You will need a GB sticker on your car

 

Planning your trip

A road trip around Italy can mean a lot of driving. You’ll need to cross the Channel and make your way through France, past Lyon, and head towards Turin – the epicentre for much of The Italian Job action. Just the Lyon to Turin leg of the journey is about 200 miles, so work out your route and the places you want to stop along the way.

If you’d rather not drive your own car, there are plenty of opportunities to hire a car. Take your pick from a classic car, Mini, or something else completely.

If you decide to go down that route, here’s what you need to know:

• The minimum age to hire a car in Italy is 21 years and some rental companies ask that you’ve had your licence for a minimum length of time
• You’ll need a full-valid UK driving licence and a second proof of ID
• Most hire companies ask for a credit card deposit
• Check in advance if you’re able to drive the car outside of Italy
• Make sure you arrange standard or car hire insurance with a classic car insurance broker before you arrive. It’s usually cheaper to do it this way.

Classic cars that feature in the film

Plenty of classic cars feature in The Italian Job, and you’ll no doubt have your favourites. Although, it’s wise not to become too attached to any of them. They invariably meet with grisly ends. For example...

Lamborghini Miura: In the opening scenes of the film, we see a bright red Lamborghini Miura driving along a stunning Alpine road. With its elegant curves, streamlined design and high performance engine (it can travel at speeds of up to 170mph), this is a car that demands to be noticed. It certainly grabs your attention, but it’s not long before the Miura explodes into a ball of flames and is shoved off the edge of a cliff into a river. Never to be seen again.

Aston Martin DB4 convertible: Who doesn’t love to see an Aston Martin immortalised on the big screen? The Aston Martin DB4 convertible is Charlie Crocker’s choice of car in the film and it’s clear he’s truly attached to it. Unfortunately, it’s booted over a cliff by the mafia to teach Crocker a lesson (a Lancia Flamina was used as a stunt double during filming).

Jaguar XKE: Two Jags also make an appearance and are seen driving behind the Aston Martin. These are the performance cars chosen by Crocker to pull off the heist. Alas, they also end up being shoved over the edge of a cliff. (There’s a pattern emerging here).

Dino: The Dino must be one of the coolest Fiats ever built, doesn’t it? Even with a villain behind the wheel, it doesn’t lose any of its appeal. The Ferrari-powered Dino coupé is used to ferry the mafia top dog around. It gets an extreme close-up early on and it really is a thing of beauty.

Mini Coopers: Last, but by no means least, we have the Mini Cooper – the classic car most strongly associated with The Italian Job. The three Minis (patriotically coloured red, white and blue) are used as getaway cars towards the end of the film and seen navigating their way around, in, through and down some of Turin’s most iconic landmarks and buildings (although the tunnel scenes were filmed in Coventry).

 

Protecting your classic car abroad

When driving in the UK and abroad, it’s important to protect your beloved classic car and yourself. Classic car insurance from a specialist insurance broker can be tailored to your vehicle and your needs. It will also make sure that should your road trip take any unexpected turns; you’ll have the cover you need to get back on track and make the most of your holiday.

Lancaster Insurance is the classic car insurance broker of choice for more than 96,000 classic car owners. We’re as passionate about classic cars as you, and make sure we find you the best level of cover.

Arranging your classic car insurance through us means you could get free EU cover for up to 90 days, historic rally cover, Car Club member discounts of up to 25%, and access to advice via our 24-hour claims helpline.

Get a quote today.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.