The Italian Job is a truly unique fundraising rally staged annually by passionate Mini enthusiasts that was originally inspired by the 1969 film of the same name.

And so in late October and early November, and since 1990, the Jobbers as they are called will make their way from the UK, and through France and Germany, to start the run officially in Italy.

The 30th Anniversary, in 2019, saw 64 teams taking part.

While it is the Mini that makes up most of The Italian Job's fleet, other vehicles that were featured in the original film, or their more recent counterparts, also qualify for participation.

In addition to providing a great get together for those taking part, The Italian Job has raised £2.7 million for charity coming as of 2018 - with another £100.000 set to result from the 2019 run.

This Mini run to Italy is always welcome back

The Italian Job annual rally for Mini enthusiasts began life, as these things tend to do, by happenstance.

It was way back in 1990, and Freddie St George and some friends were enjoying a meal in an Italian restaurant while 'chewing the cud'.

The conversation moved along to talk of a participation in the Beaujolais Nouveau Run, the yearly ritual to bring the year's first bottles of the French wine back to the UK.

Preferring something a little less obvious, the idea morphed into a Novello Run for the first Italian wine of the season.

This idea, which would involve driving to Trento and back, led to The Italian Job emerging.

It would be a rally geared to anyone with a shared a passion for the Mini, or any classic car which featured in the original Michael Caine film of the same name.

It was Freddie's mother Giulia St George who suggested the run be used to raise money for children's charity.

And it is Giulia and Freddie who have been responsible for organising the Italian Job annually ever since. And this is no mean feat believe me.

A comic crime caper

The Italian Job is a 1969 British comedy caper that has Charlie Croker (Caine), leading a misfit criminal gang to Turin to steal bullion from an armoured security truck.

Having robbed the van the gang got their haul of gold bars through the streets of Turin and away in the boots of three Mini Coopers.

These are painted patriotically red, white and blue with drivers in matching jumpsuits.

An immediate success

Having the theme, route and itinerary, Freddie put the word out about the inaugural run of The Italian Job hoping it would attract maybe a handful of Mini enthusiasts.

Over 50 teams applied and similar numbers have taken part every year ever since.

For the 30th Anniversary of the rally, in 2019, there were 64 teams, with most years attracting between 50 and 65.

Cars taking part over the years have ranged from the original 1959 Mini to new BMW MINI's along with derivatives including the Innocenti, Mini Moke, Mini Marcos and Domino.

In the first run an orange Lamborghini Miura took part, with the red E-Type from the film 848 CRY joining in 1992 and Ed Helps taking part in 2018 and 2019 with his 1959 Thames van.

And 2019 also saw the 10 millionth MINI off the production line, which was driven by David Salamone who played Dominic the driver of the red Mini Cooper in the 1969 film.

Over the years there have also been assorted FIATs, Lancias (including a 1960s Italian police Giulietta), Alfas, Jaguars and Aston Martins.

Still to take part

The Italian Job holds out hope that a Bedford coach or the Pakistani Ambassador's Daimler Majestic Major will turn up to complete the set.

Running like clockwork

Although organising an event on this scale must get slightly easier as the years go by, this in no way diminishes the devotion, commitment and staggering number of hours Guilia and Freddie put into making sure each year is a success.

It really does run like clockwork.

There is a service vehicle and support crew on hand throughout with the route meticulously planned and executed.

A daily rota of activities

There will be a daily rota time trials, convoy processions, treasure hunt style competitions and ample opportunity for ceremonial welcomes and social gatherings.

Over the years The Italian Job rally has taken in exclusive visits to Italian Grand Prix circuits, Italian cities and historic sites andlocations in Turin that were featured in the original film.

Also locked are excursions to tourist hotspots in the country.

Wherever they go the Mini's turn heads and garner admiring glances, with the cars and their owners greeted like celebrities at stops on route.

The Jobbers are a great bunch, with old friends meeting up year after year and newcomers made immediately and equally welcome.

And, of course, with the Jobbers devotion and dedication to their beloved vehicles there is much trading of tips and talking shop.

Not just for the fun of it

But this is not just an event for the hedonist.

Those taking part pay for the chance to participate over the full 10 days to two weeks.

And on top, each team entering has to raise at least £1,500 in sponsorship, with all of this given to a designated charity.

To date, The Italian Job has raised over £2.7 million for the charities it has supported.

Buttle UK

The Italian Job's current charity is Buttle UK, which provides Chances for Children through grants to meet critical needs of children whose safety, health or development are at risk.

And this is a story in its own right.

Formerly known as The Frank Buttle Trust, it was set up by the Rev Buttle who was a prominent vicar in East London from 1937 until 1953.

A financial genius, the Rev Buttle set about raising £1 million to create an endowment that would provide financial support to young children annually and in perpetuity.

The reverend was totally devoted to the task with a missionary zeal and complete self- sacrifice.

When he died in 1953, he was just £80,000 short of his financial target.

His endowment, now administered by Buttle UK is worth over £50m and, with the charity covering its own administration costs, 100% of all monies donated go directly to the children it helps.

In 2018 The Italian Job raised over £92,000 for the charity's Chance for Children Grant scheme, which is equivalent to 70-80 grants, ranging from essentials like children's beds and clothing through to therapy and technical equipment.

For 2019, The Italian Job is on target to raise another £100,000 for Buttle UK - so yet another 80 plus grants for children in vital need of support.

Buttle UK

www.buttleuk.org/news/impact-update-italian-job-2018

www.buttleuk.org

My day out with Les and John the Jobber

By Ann Mealor

Ahh, Roma, the city of culture, history and of course amore. And that was where I fell in love.

Les was cool and chic.He had classic style and although smaller than my usual choice, he was sporty, had charm in abundance and was less than half my age.

He showed me out of the city to places I wouldn't normally have got to see.

We spent a rip-roaring day together and then went our separate ways.

He had to leave for Turin on an Italian Job and I caught the plane back to London.

But Les, the 1998 Rover Mini Cooper Sports Limited Edition Special Conversion will always hold a special place in my heart.

While Ashley went out with Julio and Trina, I spent the day on the road with Les and his owner/driver, mini enthusiast, John Thew.

Les is a limited edition

John told me every mini has a name and Les's came from the LES of Limited Edition S works.

For those fascinated by these things, Les has the 1990s John Cooper Garages 90BHP S works conversion.

Painted Brooklands Green, with a white roof and wing mirrors, Les was built to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Mini Cooper's victory in four Saloon Car Championship races.

He is just one of 100 made.

I had never taken part in a rally before or been in a classic Mini.

Les, like Dr Who's tardis, was small on the outside yet roomy on the inside. I am tall, 5'10", but found sitting in the front very comfortable.

Although low to the ground, Les had been fitted with fortified suspension which significantly softened the harsh lumps and bumps of the Italian roads.

With his polished walnut dashboard and dark green leather interior, Les kept with tradition, but was also kitted out with a Sony stereo and USB port so John could play his favourite music from his phone throughout the rally.

His green bonnet with its white stripes hid a powerful 1275cc engine.

This proved very useful when Les needed a turn of speed to weave his way past Italian drivers, wend his way up the steep mountain roads or dash out to block the traffic for the mini convoy.

Not surprisingly, all this exertion did take its toll and Les started to stall just before we reached our lunch venue.

Mechanical wizards and IJ heroes

Although the 'old fellow' seemed to recover, John said he would ask Gareth and Paul to take a look at him.

Both mechanical wizards and IJ heroes, the pair are the Mini's equivalent of paramedics.

They drive the vehicle ambulance that comes equipped with an extensive first aid kit and ensured all the cars on the road are in working order during The Italian Job's 4,000 mile run.

My day on the rally began with a speed trial, where you have to set off at your exact time.

Les was number 31 and our start time was 9.10.30.

Counting down the seconds

I had to count down the seconds to when we shoot over the start line and complete a circle in exactly 10 seconds - no more no less - and then make our way to the car park exit.

This was John's 10^th Italian Job and it showed, as he carried out this exercise like a true professional and completed the task with ease.It was very exciting and really showed off Les's speed and agility.

We then formed a small mini convoy including John's friends and his sister Annie and family and began our treasure hunt.

I was navigator (but really I just followed the car in front) and our route took us through some stunning Italian countryside with spectacular views of Lake Albano.

Making the checkpoints

Mid-morning we stopped for coffee in a quaint hillside town.As co-pilot, I had the route map and times when we needed to be at check points.

This went well for part of the journey, until we had to go 'off route' in search of postcards, stamps and to find photo opportunities.

But that was all part of the fun, especially when we went through the hillside tunnels and all the Mini drivers beeped their horns.

Zipping along

I almost felt I was in The Italian Job film, zipping along to the drop off point with my haul of gold bullion in the back.

John, Les and I arrived intact at our allotted time for a delicious three course lunch at the Villa del Cardinale in Rocca di Pappa.

www.hotelcastelvecchio.com

That's another thing. On The Italian Job, no-one ever goes hungry.

The villa is in a stunning location with views across Lake Albano to Castel Gandolfo, a magnificent palace with parts of it dating back to the thirteenth century.

This was, at one time, the Pope's former summer residence.

With the setting superb and the weather gorgeous it gave us Jobbers (which I was for the day) time to relax for a couple of hours.

Then it was back into the Minis and one last time trial before heading at our own speed to Rome.

A truly memorable day out with a wonderful group of people and their cherished vehicles.

The Italian Job 2020

The Italian Job 2020 officially starts in Tuscany on 25 October 2020 and finishes in Turin on 2 November 2020.

Useful links

​ www.italianjob.com