MINI
Cooper and Cooper S (The Italian Job 2003 film cars)

Why it matters

The 2003 Italian Job put the newly launched BMW-era MINI in a starring role, echoing the original 1969 film. Behind the three cars seen on screen stood a fleet of 32 vehicles, and the production built three battery-electric MINIs years before MINI offered one itself.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The film's chase follows a red MINI Cooper S, a blue MINI Cooper and a white MINI through Los Angeles, down Metro stairways and through subway tunnels. BMW Group says 32 vehicles were used to film these three cars; typical modifications included a second steering wheel for a stunt driver, suspension changes for jumps, more engine power and some cars cut in half for filming.

Because Los Angeles would not allow combustion engines in its subway tunnels, transport coordinator John Carpenter built three fully electric MINIs, two Coopers and one Cooper S, according to BMW Group. What became of the individual cars has not been published by BMW.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

No chassis numbers for the film cars have been published, so any car offered as an Italian Job MINI needs production paperwork from the studio or BMW. The electric conversions are the most distinctive: three cars, two Coopers and one Cooper S, built by transport coordinator John Carpenter. Sources disagree on the electric cars' models (The Drive calls all three R53 Cooper S).

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   BMW Group Mexico – Los MINI estrellas de cine en 'The Italian Job' del 2003 Level A

   • 32 vehicles used during production for the three red, white and blue MINIs seen on screen, per BMW Group

   Accessed 2026-11-12