The Mini Moke
was motoring at its most basic -
a box-sided tray on wheels with a windscreen
and the simplest of seats.
In a warm climate it was great fun for taking down
to the beach, a sort of four wheeled motorbike,
but it was very draughty in the cold and wet
with the "rag top" up and it did
not offer much protection when mixing it with semi-trailers
on the freeway.
The usual bodywork was a soft-top
but if you wanted a minimalist delivery van the
Mini Moke's tub made a good basis for one -
as in this Post Office van.
It is not in harness now and was on display
at the Historic Commercial Vehicles Show.
The Moke was born in response to the British Army's search
for air transportable vehicles.
It was certainly light and compact, particularly with the
windscreen down, but the front wheel drive, small wheels
and low ground clearance cannot have given sufficient mobility,
although experimental
four wheel drive mokes
were built - with two engines and transmissions, power at each end!
The big military orders fell through but the Moke
went on to become a cult, a real classic car.
If buying a Moke:
Mechanical parts are shared with the Mini and are quite
readily available.
The body will probably suffer from rust because of the limited
weather proofing, and the vehicle may have been used
on or near the beach,
but it is of simple slab-sided construction and easy to work on.
1972, Californian Mokes produced with 1275cc motor
for the US market.
1981 November, Leyland Australia stops building Mokes
but production is transferred to Portugal.
1992, Moke production stops in Portugal.
Tooling sold to Cagiva of Italy who build 1500 Mokes
Thanks to
the Moke Owners Association
for dates.
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