Footnotes

• Like that other great cult car of the post-WW2 era - the Volkswagen 'Beetle' - the Mini proved itself open to all manner of imaginative interpretations by its devotees, though its boldest reinvention - the Jeep-like Moke - came from BMC itself. Conceived as a military vehicle but rejected by the Army, the Moke was redeveloped for the civilian market, deliveries commencing in 1964. The car's open design meant that, even with the optional weather protection erected, it was not the ideal vehicle for the British climate and the vast majority ended up overseas. Production too was transferred abroad after 1968, continuing in Australia until 1981. Australian-built Mokes were already being exported to Portugal in kit form and assembled, with production proper commencing there in 1983. By 1989 Rover had tired of the Moke and sold the project to Italian motorcycle manufacturer Cagiva, which initially continued production in Portugal before transferring it to Italy in the mid-1990s.
  Sold as a utility vehicle in overseas markets, but in Britain viewed more as a fashion accessory, the Moke captured the 1960s' spirit of freedom and self-expression more effectively than any other car. The Moke's prominent role in Patrick McGoohan's cult - and oft repeated - TV series The Prisoner has only served to maintain its popularity and today this quirky Mini variant remains highly sought after.
  'KPG 36C' comes with BMIHT certificate recording that it was despatched new, complete with front passenger seat, to Jackson's Garage Limited of Guildford, Surrey in November 1965. The current vendor first purchased the Moke (as a running vehicle) in 1988 and kept it in dry storage until 1994 before selling it. He repurchased it in February 2008, by which time its condition had deteriorated to such an extent that a full restoration was required. The car was then stripped to a bare bodyshell, which was sandblasted and fully repaired by leading Moke specialists M Parts, and then repainted in the correct Spruce Green livery. The rebuilt engine (now unleaded compatible) and all the refurbished component parts were then reinstalled, a new wiring loom and interior fitted and the car tuned on a rolling road. Presented in wonderful condition, this fully rebuilt Moke is offered with sundry restoration invoices, current road fund licence, MoT to October 2010 and Swansea V5 registration document.

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Category: Motoring / Motor Cars

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