Scientology Moke!

[Ant Hines]

Here’s an interesting 1966 Moke that’s just come into the possession of a friend of mine in California. The car was used in the late 60s as a camera vehicle by 20th Century Fox for the film Hello Dolly and at some point shortly after that was bought by the Church of Scientology who used it to shoot their in house films and videos (not sure which of those two experiences would have been more traumatic for it). As well as some really quite complex hydraulics fitted (a fair amount now missing), it's also been extensively strengthened to take the weight of probably a camera crane, plus operator(s). The engine is an 850 with twin carbs and has closed circuit breathing, which I’m told was required in North America at the time. The Moke was originally white (Snowberry?) and as can be seen, the engine and gearbox have been sprayed turquoise - someone suggested this may have been a military (pos Navy) application? It's completely rust-free and the odometer reads just 2500 miles - which is probably accurate considering the life it's had.

It’s actually being offered for sale, if anyone’s interested. It currently has Cooper S rims fitted (possibly because it was thought that their extra width would give the Moke a little more stability in its work?)... the owner is interested in keeping these, along with the screen frame for another Moke. In that scenario, he would want $6000 for it, if it goes with the S rims and screen frame, then $7000. There would be about a month's delay in it being able to leave the country, if that was required, as a Heritage Certificate is needed to get title paperwork (not sure it's ever been previously registered for the road).

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[Tim]

The poor thing. It hasn't had an easy life has it?

Tim

[Spider]

Thanks for posting up. Got some weird and wonderful add on there! I also noticed the Uni Joint at the base of the steering column to cock it over a bit further. I'd be interested in knowing a bit more about all the extra bits and what they did.

[nick rogers]

Not my cup of tea but some fascinating stuff there. It has a 59 master cyl and what appears to be a MG1100 inlet manifold and carbs. The massive chain drive is interesting, and drive seems to come from the RH driveshaft. What on earth needed that kind of strength? And if i'm right, it would only work while the car was in motion.

[mk1]

That is a really interesting Moke. With a great history.

[Ant Hines]

The massive chain drive is interesting, and drive seems to come from the RH driveshaft. What on earth needed that kind of strength? And if i'm right, it would only work while the car was in motion.

Yes - wouldn't want to get your flares caught up in that lot. I'll get some more info and detailed photos and put them up in the next week or so.

[Nevsmini]

Do I see active suspension!!

[mascher]

The active suspension is probably to keep the camera platform (Moke) level.

The blue color on the engine is the same as the color on the 850 in my Mini. I was told that it was a replacement engine from the MOD. They sold them off in the 1980s and some were sold through suppliers in the U.S. The paint is sloppy and mine came with a 4 syncro remote shift gearbox. If the story is true it would explain the odd configuration of the engine in the Moke.

Kelley

[Ant Hines]

The massive chain drive is interesting, and drive seems to come from the RH driveshaft. What on earth needed that kind of strength? And if i'm right, it would only work while the car was in motion.

The chain drive actually goes in the other direction; it was fitted to drive the right hand driveshaft from an electric motor (now absent) - obviously to allow quieter and smoother operation of the Moke during filming. It probably just drove the one axle, although there's the possibility of a limited slip or even welded diff.

[Tim]

Wow an early hybrid car!

Tim

[jay weinstein]

we had this at my shop in about 1980 for some kind of servicing. it was built so that it could run/film silently.i have pictures someplace showing the mount cage and all my employees and neighbors climbing all over it.it served a real purpose and i'm really glad to see it still lives.

[jay weinstein]

p.s. do not blame me,we had nothing to do with the "build" we probably just got it running again