Lot 14: Mini Moke

The Mini Moke was designed by Sir Alec Issigonis at the same time as the Mini saloon and used identical engine, transmission and suspension parts. Although the pre-production prototype came out in 1959, full-scale production did not start until 1964. It was initially intended to be a parachute-dropped utility vehicle for the British Army, but they rejected it due to its small wheels and low ground clearance (though the Israeli army were later to use it with some success as a mobile machine gun platform).The Moke's real success came as a leisure car cum beach buggy and it became a cult vehicle in Australia, the US and many tropical holiday resorts. As testament to its fundamental toughness and reliability, in 1977 a 1275cc Cooper S engined Moke came 35th in the London to Sydney rally, covering a gruelling 18,600 miles in 30 days.Some 14,500 Mokes were produced at BMC's Longbridge plant  between 1964 and 1968 before production moved to Australia where a further 26,000 were made between 1966 and 1981. Another 10,000 were made in Portugal before production finally ceased in 1993.First registered in February 1973, this particular car is an Australian built Moke with a 1098cc engine and larger 13-inch wheels for improved ground clearance. Totally original and unrestored, it is said to be in exceptionally sound condition throughout. Supplied with full wet weather gear including side screens and hood, it has just 44,713 miles on the clock which is believed to be genuine. Kept as part of a small private collection for the last ten years, the car has not been used on the road in this time but has been started and moved regularly. With an MOT until August 2007, it should have many years of fun summer motoring ahead of it.