Who says the over 50s are past it?

We have just driven our classic mini from Hampshire to Turin and back with a group of people who came from as far afield as Australia, Canada and the USA, and all because we enjoyed the original ‘The Italian Job’ film from 1969 and love classic minis (no binis…. BMW minis here).

The group consisted of 16 over 50s and 5 youngsters aged between 22 and 40, even one of the cars was over 50! For classic car lovers it was the best holiday ever. To drive in convoy on sweeping French roads followed by tight Alpine passes and then though the rumpus that is Turin in rush hour is a marvellous experience. No road rally here as we bumble along at around 55mph enjoying the amazing scenery and car buddy’s company during the day and all the group members company in the evening, finding out about each other but knowing there are already shared interests.

As many readers will know the film shows the gang boarding the ferry at Calais and the next we see they are in the Alps about to set off on their designated routes. This spot is close to Mont Blanc and whilst our tour party parked up to pick flowers in a replay of the scene with Benny Hill, we were treated to another convoy, 6 Lamborghinis reminiscent of the Lamborghini Mura that was pushed off another cliff a few scenes later. They roared past us with reverberating exhausts and screaming engines – a coincidence or fate – who can tell!

Having driven the Alpine passes I can see why it is a film maker’s dream. The size of the cliff faces and the stark natural beauty makes anything manmade look tiny, particularly 20+ year old Austin minis all perched in a layby.

The roads on the continent are a pleasure to drive, especially when you are used to the dreaded south east motorways of the M3, M4 and M25 car park. Without using toll roads which are even better, the surfaces are well maintained, wide and for the most part, congestion free. Maybe we were lucky but even the traditional rush hour was trouble free.

The Italian Job Take 2!

And then we arrived in Turin! What a wonderful city. It is known as the industrial capital of northern Italy and has close links with car manufacturing but this, we were told, is no longer the case as the Fiat factories are closing their doors and the famous racetrack in the sky is now atop a hotel and shopping centre. We were fortunate to be able to drive our minis around the banked section of the track in true Italian Job style but we could not match the red, white and blue, making do with green and red.

The view of this ancient city was stunning, a mixture of new industrial architecture and stunning historical buildings dating as far back as the ancient Romans. Three days was definitely not enough to explore this extraordinary place and we will definitely be going back to take in a tour of the city on a Segway, a clean and efficient way to get to all the spectacular sights.

Many of the film locations are still in everyday use and the hideout before the ‘job’ takes place is actually the Villa della Regina, high on the hill with breath-taking views over the city. It is undergoing extensive renovations to restore it to its former glory and displays glorious trompe l’oeil, so perfect that it makes you want to feel the warmth of the marble even though your brain is telling you it is only a painting. The renovation is not confined to the house as the grounds have been replanted, including the vineyard from which the wine and other products are on sale at the palace and online.

The whole experience was definitely a tick off the proverbial bucket list and a huge learning experience. I learned that I am not great at heights when the road finishes a couple of foot from the tyre walls and there is a sheer drop of thousands of feet with nothing to catch us in the middle. I also made new discoveries of books to read, wine to drink and food that I definitely want to try again and all through the life experiences of new friends. I have decided I definitely want to go back to Turin, but probably on a plane and with a guided history tour and lastly I discovered that if you take a classic car to the continent take plenty of spares as the rural French garages do not get the British passion for old cars! Trying to source parts requires a phone call to Mini Spares in England for an overnight shipment to get you back on the road. Three of our group had this pleasure and still managed to have a great time.

Written by: Mel Crabb