"Hang on a minute lads I've got a great idea"
Next year is the 40th Anniversary of The Italian Job movie, and I think it would make the perfect excuse for a Top Gear special.
How about some of the following:
Clarkson in a Muira recreating the opening sequence (minus the bulldozer of course!) the original road/bridge and tunnel all still exist.
May visiting the London locations in Caine's old Aston DB4 convertible.
Hamster in Turin in an old series 2 Landy visiting some of the Italian locations.
All 3 presenters on the Top Gear test track trying their best to recreate some of the stunts with 3 old mini's.
The Final challenge is obvious. Starting from the Fiat Lingotto test track in Turin the 3 presenters (using the red, white and blue mini Coopers of course) must get a boot full of gold (something daft like a box of Ferrero Rocher) across Turin in formation and up into the alps to the finish (the Col de Nivolet where the bus hung over the cliff edge) before sunset.
There could also be the possibility of using co-drivers for this?...
If you could get an interview with Michael Caine (SIARPC) that would be the icing on the cake. If he doesn't want to drive, then allow him the privilege of a drive by proxy, where he can pick anyone he wants to set a time.
You don't even have to do much research as this great website has done all the hard work for you!.
http://www.theitalianjob.com
Just my 2p's worth of a suggestion, and best of luck with the next series.
Cheers,
Altabani