Description

1986 Austin Mini Moke

Only 13,800 miles since full restoration; tuned 1,293cc Morespeed engine; straight-cut gears; Fletcher stainless steel exhaust; disc brakes all round; polybushed suspension; alloy wheels; lovely condition and very quick!

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 this notion failed at the first hurdle when they rejected it due to its low ground clearance (though the Israeli army were later to use it with some success as a mobile machine gun platform).

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. However, it gained a strong following nonetheless and became a cult classic after featuring in the TV series The Prisoner, finding its true role as a fun beach car at which it excelled. As testament to its fundamental toughness and reliability, in 1977 a 1,275cc 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 at Austin Rover’s subsidiary in Portugal before production finally ceased in 1993.

Originally built in Portugal in July 1986, this stunning Mini Moke was imported to the UK in 1995 and in 2005 was treated to a full restoration by a retired Mini specialist, as documented by over 70 photos on a CD in the history file.

Considerably souped up, the 1,275cc engine was rebuilt by Morespeed and bored out to 1,293cc. We are told that it also has a straight-cut gearbox with standard drop gears and a Fletcher stainless steel exhaust. The brakes have been uprated with discs all round and braided hoses. The suspension is polybushed and it rides on a set of Starmag 13" x 7" alloy wheels shod with Yokohama tyres. Seat belts are also fitted and it has a handy aluminium storage trunk securely bolted to the rear floor.

A new set of weather gear (soft top and side screens) was sourced from Runamoke of Maldon in 2014 which cost £954, the fitting instructions being retained in the history file. Other invoices show that it was waxoil treated and serviced in May 2015 at c.13,900 miles and serviced again in May 2016 at 14,043 miles, since when it has only covered some 350 miles. More recently, in December 2020 it was treated to a carburettor overhaul and an engine tune.

Five old MOTs and an MOT history print-out show that it has only covered some 13,800 miles since the restoration was completed, the current MOT running to August 2023 with no advisories recorded. It also comes with an agreed insurance value of £15,000 dated August 2020 and two sets of keys.

Starting promptly and running well as we have moved it around on site with good 70psi oil pressure, it is said to be great fun to drive with a good turn of speed.

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com