The Mini Moke is to make an official return to Britain more than half a century since its introduction using an upgraded chassis and modern engine. The Sir Alec Issigoni-designed open-top – which was originally created for military use – was an icon of the sixties, having been driven by the likes of The Beatles and The Beach Boys. It was produced in six countries including sites in Asia, Australasia and Africa, with BMC’s Longbridge plant kicking things off in 1964. So it’s fair to say it had quite the reach.
This time around, however, the ambitions for it are a little more modest to begin with. It returns to the UK market with a £24,000 (excluding delivery) starting price. That gets you a 21st century take on the original, with a tougher chassis and 1.1-litre four-cylinder engine, which produces 67hp at 6,000rpm and 69lb ft of torque. There's not exactly a lot to a Moke, so performance should be more than adequate – and the lack of solid insulation ought to ensure the new version is as fun as the old.
As the pictures show, a soft-top roof with plastic windows can be stretched over the Moke to keep passengers dry, but – as before – this is obviously a car best suited to warmer climes, hence the Moke’s popularity with world holiday resorts, including casinos of Las Vegas, no less. Year round use is therefore unlikely in the UK, but that's always been the case.
To kick off its return, Moke will produce 56 cars exclusively for the domestic market, marking the number of years that have passed since it first launched here. Each Moke 56 comes in a choice of 14 colours, with the front grille and windscreen rails finished in chrome, and a Union Jack badge placed on the front wings. There’s also a numbered plaque on the bonnet.
Following that - and presumably depending on its success - Moke has wider aspirations, which would see it engineering the car in the Midlands before it to Cerizay in France for final assembly. The company has hired leading experts from the industry, including Mark Truman, who heads the engineering and production side, with experience from Aston Martin, Ford and Jaguar Land Rover, no less.
He said: “My role at Moke is to preserve the integrity and spirit of the original Moke whilst incorporating the very best of today’s technologies that match the requirements of a new generation.” Whatever the justification, we’re just happy to see one of the cheeriest cars ever produced back in production.
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