Moke History

The Mini Moke was designed by Sir Alec Issigonis, the same time the Mini Saloon was. The first prototype was developed in 1959 to meet a need in the British Forces, it went through a number of different prototype models over a period of five years. One of them included the 4WD Twini-Moke, a two engine model.

Unfortunately they didn’t make much favour with the British forces, they complaint about lack of ground clearance, particularly below the engine. Although in 1960-1961 some Mokes did find there way to the British-, American-, New Zealand- and Australian Army. These models are of course a bit different to the one we see today, like side windscreens, wheel-base, sump-guard and engine performance.

The first production Mokes were assembled in 1964, at Longbridge Birmingham. From 1964 till 1968 there was a production of 14.518, and only 10% staid in England. Depending on the dealer were you bought from, you got an Austin- or Morris Moke. Total production of these models was 9.096 Austin and 5.422 Morris Mokes.

English Moke The Mokes came in one colour only (Spruce Green) and just a driver’s seat and 1 wind-screen wiper, the rest was optional. It had an 845cc engine and 10inch wheels, called “little wheeler”.

In 1966 BMC also opened a factory in Sydney (Australia) to produce the Mokes. The total production moved in October 1968 to Sydney.

Australian Moke Here they came up with major changes in function of the local circumstances. First an 998cc engine followed by a 1100cc and later the 1275cc. The body was strengthened and better seats were placed in. Other changes were the brakes, wiring the exhaust and they were fitted with 13inch wheels to give better ground clearance. These “Californian Mokes” got many recreational interests, and soon even a pickup model was launched, all fitted whit denim hood, floor mats and bull-bars. Aussy models

Production in Sydney was ceased in 1982 and Peugeot took over the plant.
In 1983 Leyland started production in Portugal, too fulfil the needs of more orders. These Mokes were made on the base of the Australian models, fitted with a standard roll-cage.

Problems soon began to appear in the factory, so Jim Lambert was sent to Portugal to sort everything out. He started a new factory and in 1986 this developed into the New Moke, with a return to more standard Mini parts to reduce the costs. The Mini Moke was reborn, with a 998cc engine, 12inch wheels, side-screens and a luxurious interior.
In 1989 Austin-Rover stops production and the rights for production are bought by Cagiva (Italy). They almost produce the identical models, even in the same factory, changes now were refinements on seats and hood. And for the first time in Mini production the radiator was fitted in front of the engine (behind the grill). Options available included new rounded bull- bars, Minilite wheels, metallic paint and tinted windscreens.
Overproduction in 1992 let to the halting of manufacturing in the early 1993 and the closure of the factory in Portugal, with parts and tools being transferred to Italy.
And so the story of a great one ends.

Engine 848cc four-cylinder OHV
Bore/stroke 62.94 x 68.26mm
Compression ratio 8.3:1
Power output 34bhp at 5,500rpm
Torque 44 lb.ft at 2,900rpm
Transmission Four-speed manual : Ratios: 4th 3.44, 3rd 4.86,
2nd 7.47, 1 st 12.48
Steering Rack & pinion
Brakes Drum/drum
Suspension Independent with dry rubber cones
Wheels 3.5 x 10in pressed steel
Tyres 5.20 x 10in Dunlop C41 cross-ply
Wheelbase 79.9in (2,029mm)
Length 120in (3,048mm)
Width 51.5in (1,308mm)
Height 56in (1,422mm)
Front track 47.45in (1,205mm)
Rear track 45.85in (1,165mm)
Weight 1,176 lb (534kg)
Fuel tank 6.25gal (28 l)
Maximum speed 65mph (105km/h)
0-60mph 21.8sec
Avg. fuel consumption 33mpg

Passenger seats and grab handles, Side screens, Extra windscreen wiper and motor, Windscreen washer, Laminated windscreen, Sump guard, Dunlop Weathermaster tyres, Heater

Specification 1000 1100 1275
Engine 998cc 4-cyl 1,098cc 4-cyl 1275cc 4-cyl
Bore/stroke 64.59 x 76.2mm 64.59 x 83.7mm 70.61 x 81.28 mm
Compression ratio 8.3:1 8.5:1 8.8:1
Power output 38bhp at 5,250rpm 50bhp at 5,100rpm 65bhp at 5,250rpm
Torque 52 lb.ft at 2,700rpm 60 lb.ft at 2,500rpm 69 lb.ft at 2,500rpm
Transmission 4speed manual: Ratios: 4th 4.1, 3rd 5.8, 2nd 8.8, 1st 15.0;
Steering Rack & pinion
Brakes Drum/drum, Disc/drum on Californian (from 1979)
Suspension Independent by rubber cones
Wheels 10 x 3.5in, 13 x 4.5in (from 1968)
Tyres 10in; 13in (from 1968)
Wheelbase 82.5in (2,096mm)
Length 127.25in (3,232mm) Pick-up: 144.2in (3,663mm)
Width 57in (1,488mm) Pick-up: 59.5in (1,511 mm)
Height 63in (1,600mm) Pick-up: 68.5in (1,739mm)
Front track 47.75in (1,213mm)-1966-68, 48.1 in (1,222mm)-1968-69, 49in (1,245mm)-from 1969
Rear track 46.9in (1,190mm)-1966-68, 49.2in (1,250mm)-1968-69, 49.75in (1,264mm)-from 1969
Weight Moke (1966):1,255 lb, Moke: 1,367 lb, Californian: 1,509 lb Pick-up: 1,588 lb
Fuel tank 6.25gal (28.4 l) - 8.4gal (38 l) from 1979, Californian (1971-73): 6gal (27 l)

Roll-over cage (standard Moke only from 1979), Headlamp mesh guards, Side screens, Wintertread tyres(standard Moke only), 1,275cc engine (Californian only), Metallic paint (Californian only), Heater/demister, Radio, 6.00 x 13in tyres, 5.60 x 13in Weathermaster tyres

Engine 998cc four-cylinder OHV
Bore/stroke 64.58 x 76.2mm
Compression ratio 8.3:1
Power output 39bhp at 4,750rpm
Torque 50 lb.ft at 2,500rpm
Transmission Four-speed manual: Ratios: 4th 3.44, 3rd 4.93, 2nd 7.63, 1st 12.13
Steering Rack & pinion
Brakes Drum/drum (Disc/drum from 1984)
Suspension rubber cones and telescopic dampers
Wheels 12 x 4.5in (from 1984)
Tyres 145/70 SR-12 (from 1984)
Wheelbase 80.1 in (2,035mm)
Length 127.2in (3,232mm)
Width 56.7in (1,440mm)
Height 57.5in (1,460mm)
Front track 49.8in (1,265mm)
Rear track 47.8in (1,215mm)
Weight 1,385 lb (630kg)
Fuel tank 8.6gal (39 l)
Maximum speed 81 mph (130km/h)
0-60mph 27.9sec
Avg. fuel consumption 38mpg (Urban/56mph/75mph) 40.3/37.6/

Optional extras:
Heater, Air conditioning, Alloy wheels, Tinted glass, Sump guard, Towing equipment, Stereo, Spare wheel cover, Hood bag, Custom trim and interior-including leather, Special paintwork, Rear seats, Rear seat belts, Lead-free engine conversion, Hardtop (factory-approved) -from 1993