Cannon wanted to open their new cinema in Southampton in classic style, how better than with "The Italian Job" and the three minis.

Gareth talks to John Cooper on how he masterminded the building of the three minis from 1987 to 1989 with help in the final month nearing completion from his brothers David, Daryl and Antony.

A few months after the completion of the minis David thought it would be a good idea to fit the A Series Turbo engine I had built for a Metro Turbo I had previously owned but didn't get round to fitting.

David first set about modifying the Red minis bulkhead for turbo clearance and the machining of a bespoke inlet manifold to take the Renault 5 carburetor as I had concluded this would be a far better fuel delivery setup than the inadequate SU carburetor which it turned out to be on the track and road, the problem was finding a clutch to handle the 155bhp at the wheels.