Mini Moke

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The Mini Moke was originally conceived as a car for the military, experiments taking place with different layouts including 4-wheel drive using two engines, one at the front and one at the rear.

The limitations of ground clearance soon put paid to any serious use off road so the firm looked to the agricultural and light commercial market. Alas, hopes were dashed yet again when Customs and Excise categorised it as passenger vehicle – attracting purchase tax and therefore making it far too expensive.

In the end, the cute looks and the sheer fun of the thing found favour with a completely unexpected audience who exploited its leisure potential, the car gaining notoriety for chasing over-sized beach balls and dashing around Portmeirion in the cult TV series 'The Prisoner'.

Produced in the UK until 1968, it carried on being assembled in Australia, Portugal and South Africa until 1993 when production was finally brought to a close.

The accompanying Heritage Certificate shows that this 1965 model is a genuine UK-built example and was supplied to Joseph Cockshoot and Co. in Manchester. Painted Spruce Green with a green interior and green hood, its build date was 8th February 1965 and it was dispatched on the 12th. It must have stuck around for a while as it was not registered until the beginning of November.

Specified with a front passenger seat, rear seats (now missing) but with no heater, it was registered with its Lancashire registration number STB 587C which it retains to this day.

The vendor, a vintage car restoration specialist by trade, purchased the car as a project. Although the body tub showed signs of patching and repairs, it was in remarkably solid and sound condition. After much deliberation he decided to keep the shell much as it was and restore everything (literally) around it. This Moke has therefore had a full nut and bolt restoration, although at first glance it may appear otherwise.

A completely new suspension system was built onto the sub-frames front and rear which have been shot-blasted and powder coated, the vendor advising us that ‘every bush, bearing and seal’ has been replaced. The brakes are all new, including wheel cylinders and master cylinder. The engine was stripped and found to be in very good condition. A new clutch was fitted along with a new radiator and a complete new wiring loom– the list goes on and on.

When photographed, the car was nearing completion - but not quite there. Since then the reverse-rim Cooper S wheels have had new tyres, the cheap Chinese headlights in the picture have been replaced by correct (non-sidelight) sealed-beam originals and a spare wheel added for its MOT. The hood is described as good.

This rare and desirable UK-built Moke is in reality a fully restored car masquerading as a shabby-chic barn find. Cleverly executed, it exudes ‘60s charm without the drawbacks of a tired engine and sticky brakes.