The Austin Mini Cooper S is an iconic British classic, and its starring role in the cult 1969 film ‘The Italian Job’ is perhaps just as legendary as the little city car itself. What better car could there be for escaping through twisting city streets, across rooftops, and through sewers than the very capable and distinctively British Mini Cooper S?
An impressive and one-of-a-kind half-car simulator system, themed on the iconic car and movie, which features a converted Austin Mini shell that has been refurbished and styled to represent the red Mini Cooper S from the film, all the way down to the registration HMP 729G, which is a nod to the prison number of Charlie Croker (played by Michael Caine).
The original Austin Mini was completely stripped of all ancillary components down to the body shell. The bodywork was resprayed in the original shade of Italian Job ‘Tartan Red’, and to complete the look, the car was fitted with an external chrome trim pack, new badges, bonnet straps, and a set of new mag wheels and tyres.
The complete simulator is easily moveable, by hand, thanks to the heavy-duty castor wheels fixed to its base.
To achieve a totally immersive simulator experience, this Mini has had the original pedal box replaced with a modern clutch, brake and accelerator system, with realistic resistance and compressive load braking. These all provide real-time feedback to the simulator software.
Stepping inside, the user is greeted by an original mini steering wheel still connected to the original steering column. Courtesy of a powered, force feedback system, mounted within the engine bay, the steering wheel provides road telemetry feedback to the driver. Even gear shifting has been made to feel just like the real thing, thanks to a custom four-speed plus reverse gear shift mechanism, which utilises an authentic gaiter and gear knob.
Original interior switch panel has also been removed and replaced with a laser-cut panel that includes two working ‘long-lever’ switches (for lights or any other function required) as well as an engine ignition/key switch for a real-time engine starting procedure.
The original engine and gearbox have been removed and the engine bay has been re-purposed to create a ventilated location for the high-specification PC and force feedback steering system. The PC power switch is remotely located inside the car for ease of operation, alongside a Streamdeck six-button pad for simple, one-touch execution of the simulation software. Additional buttons play an assortment of themed music and sound effects from the film, including the iconic ‘Self Preservation Society’, though all the functions of the buttons can be customised to the new owner’s requirements.
Cabin has also been fitted with an impressive surround sound system including a sound bar mounted beneath the dashboard, and a remote subwoofer behind the seats, allowing the new owner to experience all the sights, sounds and visceral experiences of the real thing.
Completing this very impressive simulator set-up is a professionally made 180-degree curved projector screen with lightweight aluminium framework, allowing the short-throw HD projector to display the external visuals in immersive panorama.
The simulator has been designed to be fully ‘plug & play’, with the new owner’s convenience catered for at every opportunity. An included Steam account allows access to hundreds of different racing games and comes preloaded with BeamNG and Assetto Corsa. The control system has been designed to work with almost any racing game required.
This Austin Mini Cooper S simulator represents a unique opportunity to acquire a remarkable racing or movie reenactment simulator for any budding racer or movie enthusiast. Boasting a fully refurbished and faithfully recreated ‘Italian Job’ Mini Cooper S shell, alongside a high-specification PC, and a number of innovative and highly immersive simulator enhancements, it would make a superb automotive toy to add to any private collection, or as part of any movie or racing-themed business.
