When it comes to auctions, one item in particular usually grabs your attention immediately. In the case of Car & Classic, Europe’s largest online marketplace for classic and niche vehicles, a unique ‘Italian Job’ themed simulator is that item. Built by SimbiotiX, the simulator has been constructed using an actual 1974 Austin Mini and is pretty much like looking at the blue Mini Cooper seen in the 1969 film.

Original Mini pedals, steering and gears combine with functioning dials on the recreated dashboard to give you that immersive experience, helped by a full surround south system, WindSim fan kit and two-degree motion seat. References to the film are made with small details like fake gold bullion in the boot and a ‘LGW 809G’ numberplate.

Whilst there’s no A-Series engine, a powerful Windows gaming PC featuring an Nvidia RTX 3080ti GPU, water-cooled Intel i7 CPU and 32GB of RAM is its replacement. Power is handled by an 850w Gold PSU and the 1TB NVME storage provides ample space for a mix of simulation software. All very techy but it brings the car to life in a virtual sense. The simulator is also designed to be ‘plug-and-play’, with a range of other games and simulations and would be an ultimate setup for games like Forza Motorsport and Gran Turismo.

“Whether you want to tear through the streets or Turin, or set the pace on track at Goodwood, this rig offers the chance to do it from the comfort of your own home”, says Car & Classic head of editorial Dale Vinten. “Not your usual type of powerful, modified Mini, this simulator demonstrates the variety Car & Classic have on offer.”

Now if they could create a Lamborghini Miura simulator that recreates the opening scene of the film, I might be tempted to mortgage my life away to buy one.

The auction ends on October 9th and is expected to fetch between £25,000-£30,000.

Words: Mike Booth
Pictures: Car & Classic