Just when I thought I needed to thin out m Mini collection and tr out other makes, fate strikes back.
If things go as planned, I will soon be the owner of an Austin Mini Moke.
So what I hear you say. I would not buy another Mini if there wasn't a story behind it.
It happens to be one of the Mokes used by Aristotelis Onassis at his private island of Skorpios. A mythical island in the Adriatic sea where mr. Onassis spent quality time with his choice female companions, among others Jackie O. and Maria Kallas.
He was also seen driving away from his wedding with Jackie in one of them.
Ok. I finally got some pics, and will get some more detailed ones tomorrow.
I am not fluent in Moke, but what I see wrong for a mk1 British built Moke is,
wrong wheels,
probably the engine,
master cylinders,
steering cowl and wheel,
rubber splashguards.
What I would love to hear from the experts is that it looks like a mk1 shell. I do not know the differences in the body panels between UK and Portuguese built Mokes.
Sorry to disappoint you but this is not an English Moke but a Portuguese Moke, probably manufactured between 1986 and 1989.
The majority of the major body panels are identical to those on an English Moke. However Portuguese Mokes had additional wing extensions adding an inch or so to the width of the front and rear wings.
Portuguese Mokes by this time had adopted all the specifications of the standard Mini saloon including 12 inch wheels, 998cc engine along with improved hood and reclining seats.
Portuguese Mokes were very popular as hire cars on many of the Greek islands during the 1980s and 1990s. However the vast majority have not survived and those that remain are now quite sought after. Roger
