Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024 - Cars on Saturday the 9th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. The Mini Moke was designed by Sir Alec Issigonis at the same time as the Mini saloon and used an identical engine, transmission and suspension parts. Although the pre-production prototype came out in 1959, full-scale production did not start until 1964. It may seem strange to design and build a vehicle with no clear idea what you are going to do with it, but this was BMC in the 1960s. It was initially mooted as a parachute-dropped utility vehicle for the British Army, but this notion failed at the first hurdle when they rejected it due to its low ground clearance. It was then decided that it would make an excellent tool for farmers and as a light commercial vehicle. This was partially scuppered yet again when it was rated as a passenger car and therefore subject to Purchase Tax. It did however gain a strong following and became a cult classic after featuring in the TV series, The Prisoner, and found its true role as a fun beach car at which it excelled. 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.
On offer here is a genuine, UK-supplied, right-hand drive, Longbridge-built Moke that’s been privately owned by a close friend of Iconic Auctioneers, since 2016 with only light use. The 998cc engine was once subject to an engine rebuild by Laranca Engineering and the Moke itself has been subject to an older restoration.
Finished in white with a black hood (hardly used and in good condition), the car sits on a set of genuine Minilite wheels. There is a Jerry can and spare wheel mounted at the rear with a tow bar and the car is accompanied by a folder containing some history, an original brochure, the Moke book and some spares.
Excitingly offered without Reserve, this is a British classic to be enjoyed with friends and family, always attracting the right attention and welcome at any classic car event or garden party.
