50th anniversary of the Italian Job celebrated at the London Classic Car Show

Original and replica cars reunited in special exhibit at London ExCeL this weekend

Buying a classic car is all about provenance and pedigree, finding that iconic marque with an equally special history. A Hollywood film star previous owner perhaps, or raced to victory by Stirling Moss or Jim Clark.

On the Top 10 pantheon of provenance, few things can be more illustrious than a star-billing in 1969’s the Italian Job, one of the most celebrated car heist movies of all time. Starring Michael Caine, Noel Coward and Benny Hill amongst others, the Italian job was famed for its chase scenes through Turin Italy, the cars front and centre stars of the show.

With 2019 marking 50-years since the film’s debut, The London Classic Car Show have created a special exhibit at London ExCeL this weekend (14-17th Feb), reuniting a selection of the film’s surviving models alongside a cast of replica vehicles.

The highlight of the surviving models will be the film’s pair of Jaguar E-Types – a dark blue Fixed Head Coupe (619 DXX) and a red 3.8L Roadster (848 CRY). Unbelievably, the Coupe was in the owner’s possession for almost 20 years before it was confirmed to be the self-same car used in the film.

The original 3.8L Jaguar E-Type Coupe used in the Italian Job (1969)

The original 3.8L Jaguar E-Type Coupe used in the Italian Job (1969)

The red Roadster, also on display, was sold to model Richard Essame in 1962 who landed a part in the film as one of the Mini Cooper drivers. Essame drove the car to location in Italy, where the production team saw it and realised it would be ideal for the film, purchasing it from him.

The third of the originals from the film is the Aston Martin DB4 Convertible (163 ELT) that was supposedly tipped over a cliff by a bulldozer. Despite its apparent demise, this 1961 convertible was switched for a Lancia Flaminia during filming, allowing the DB4 to survive the cliff scene.

Aston Martin DB4 convertible saved from a cliff edge

Aston Martin DB4 convertible saved from a cliff edge

To celebrate the film’s anniversary, Hazel Collinson, actress, director and widow of the film’s director Peter Collinson, will be a guest of honour at the Show. Appearing in the film cast as “blonde scrubber”, Collinson will be sharing her memories from the film, including its apparent surprise success.

Alongside the original cars presented at the show there will be an identical Lamborghini Miura to the one that appeared in the film, along with a reproduction of the OM Furgonato Sicurezza ‘Bullion’ Van. It is also hoped that the restoration of a Harrington Legionnaire coach will be finished in time for the event. The original was converted especially for the film but after its starring appearance it went back to being used as a coach and was scrapped in the 1990s after service in Scotland.

For further information and to purchase tickets for the Show click here, make sure you quote "DRIVETRIBE" to get 2 tickets for £40, a 20% saving on the advance ticket price. Or if you can get yourself to London and fancy a chance at winning a ticket, click here to tell us which is your ultimate classic car.

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Comments (7)

  • This move has one of the best opening scene ever! www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgJuVOrXv68

      2 years ago
    • Agreed. You could hardly imagine a more stylish and quintessentially 1960s opening and scene-setter.

        2 years ago
  • Showcased on DT USA Facebook 2day @3pm EST

      2 years ago
  • I must watch this classic.

      2 years ago
  • You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!

      2 years ago
  • Oh the opening scene with that gorgeous Miura swapping gears to Matt Monroe “on days like these” even now makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end..

    Ahhh they don’t make em like that anymore

      2 years ago
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