MTC team recreates the Italian Job

Graduates and apprentices from the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry have restored three classic Minis, and are driving them across Italy in a rally for charity.

The team took on the daunting task of restoring the three vehicles – one of which is a 1965 vintage – and making them sufficiently roadworthy to get to and from Italy.

The Minis, christened Mike, Tango and Charlie (M,T and C) are travelling across France and Italy, from Turin to Trento, taking in the testing mountain roads of Piedmont and Trentino, and will drive on the famous Monza circuit.

The cars’ destination is The Lingotto, the dramatic rooftop track at the Fiat Factory, at the end of the month.

The 10-day trek celebrates the 25th year of The Italian Job Mini Car Rally. Hundreds of Minis are recreating the famous 1969 film, and raising money for Variety, the children’s charity which aims to raise the quality of life of deprived children. Over the years, the event has raised over £2.2m. 

The eight-strong MTC team have renovated and repaired all three cars themselves to make them roadworthy. Rugby Borough Council provided the team with their initial sponsorship; and the endeavour is supported by MTC members Sandvik Coromant, DMG MORI, Blaser, Hexagon Metrology and Siemens. The Institution is a Silver sponsor of the event.



The apprentices’ participation in this exciting and demanding project also helps them move further towards professional registration with the Institution.

MTC Chief Executive Dr Clive Hickman said the trainees had taken on a big challenge but were more than capable of rising to it.  

“This is a great experience for the trainees, and is also developing valuable skills in engineering, problem-solving and fundraising. I am very proud of them.”

Ahead of the send-off on Saturday 18 October, lead drivers James Cox and Georgina Oag commented on the learning benefits of taking part. James is a third-year apprentice; Georgina is in her fourth year at the MTC.

James said: “Carrying out the work on the cars has been a great experience, from the small jobs of re-installing the interior to the larger challenges, such as removing and refitting engines. It’s been a learning curve from day one and now all the work is finished, I’m really looking forward to the event.” 



Georgina added: “I have enjoyed being part of this project: from working on the Minis with advisors and technicians, to maintaining the administration and financial side of the project, I have certainly learned a lot. The event is an experience that I am looking forward to; even despite the daunting thought of having to drive on the wrong side of the road!” 

The MTC opened in 2010 and was founded by the University of Birmingham, Loughborough University, the University of Nottingham and TWI Ltd. The MTC’s industrial members include some of the UK’s major global manufacturers and a number of SMEs. It is now building an £18 million Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre at its Ansty Park headquarters in Coventry.

The new centre will be a flagship facility for an advanced apprenticeship and graduate trainee programme and trainees will learn the latest technology in areas such as intelligent automation, additive layer manufacture, laser machining and welding. 

Visit the MTC website for more details.