Leyland Moke

[phoenix]

As some of you know I went to corowa earlier this year with a few others from The Defence Transport Heritage of Tasmania. My pregnant wife also came along. She has slowly been becoming more interested in military vehicles etc, and can't wait for me to finish my ambulance.

Previously she had shown a lot of interest in the Haflingers, and 2 were sold near me recently, although at a price far more than I could afford.

However whilst at bandiana Rebecca took a particular shine to the moke that they had there (as well as the moke and trailer that attended corowa (from I think QLD, although it might have been VMVC, I don't recall).

So I thought why not, I'll track down a rough moke for her that I can make up as an army vehicle (not much difference) for her to enjoy.

So the questions are twofold, anybody got any pics of the mokes in service, and anybody got a few good pics of some good condition or restored Mokes. I'm pretty sure at least one MLU forumite has one, so i'd love to see a few good pics.

I'd love even more to find one at a good price to buy (even better if it was an army one), but they seem to be becoming scarce. A rough one that needs work (and is cheap) would be best, although one on the mainland could be difficult to get back over here. Really i'm more after information and photos for the time being.

[Rob Dyba]

Richard, I have never owned an ex-military moke as far as I know but prior to getting into MV's I worked as a Mini specialist mechanic, and have restored an unknown amount of mokes & Mini's. I have photos of the Mokes at Corowa & Bandianna and adverts from BMC (british leyland) for military mokes, and heaps of books,magazines etc... I'll have a dig for you. The mokes are still very popular up here in QLD, and fetch good prices. if you should want one let me know & I'll find you one easily, there is also a Mini specialist over in Tassie that should be able to track u one down.

Rob

[phoenix]

Rob, you sound like a goldmine of information. anything you can give me would be greatly appreciated

I found the contact details for the mini specialist down here called Wilson automotive down south. I've sent them an e-mail asking if they know of any for sale.

Fingers crossed I can find something. I took video of the bandiana moke, but no photos, i'll have to go back next year to get some

[Rob Dyba]

as requested

[Rob Dyba]

moke 2

[Rob Dyba]

moke luxury appointments

[phoenix]

Excellent, thanks for those

[Rob Dyba]

my personal choise in mokes Richard, if you can find one, is a 76-82 Moke Californian galvanized body. Never rust, 1275 cc engine, disc brakes, 13" wheels & good drivetrain. I sold my last one for $6000.00 AU to a collector in the UK about 2 years ago, and i was sorry to see it go but universal carriers require money & space. Find one of those, paint it green & away you go. There was also a prototype moke built for the british military that had 2 engines , one in front one in back & it was tested but it had no room for military kit so it went no further. Ebay search Moke & you will see dinky airborne military mokes, may as well start small....In darwin there is a very rare 4x4 moke built here in Australia that drove a rear diff off the STD but modified gearbox, one day I hope to copy that. It was locally engineered, if they had worked the bugs out would have made it an extremely viable military light vehicle....

Rob

[phoenix]

Yeah, a californian is ideally what i'd like to get a hold of, however beggars can't be choosers. $6000 is cheaper than any moke in the country that i've seen for sale so far!!! That's more than both of my land rovers have cost me (including parts and repairs!)

[Rob Dyba]

Check out our trip to Tasmania to do Targa in a Mini here...

http://www.miniman.com.au/default.htm


Rob

[phoenix]

Great looking site, looks like you had a blast

[Tony Smith]

Very timely thread, this, as I have been anxiously pestering the Newsagent for the latest edition of Mini Experience magazine, due out any time, featuring an article on Mokes in Aust Army service. The featured Moke is the Bandiana one:

[Tony Smith]

Originally posted by phoenix
However whilst at bandiana Rebecca took a particular shine to the moke that they had there (as well as the moke and trailer that attended corowa (from I think QLD, although it might have been VMVC, I don't recall).

That Moke is Sydney based and apparently had some dramas, at significant speed, while on the Corowa Trip. Something locked up, or fell off, and mention was made of Semi-trailers appearing VERY close while veering across lanes of traffic. Don't recall the full story, but someone in AMVCS will have the full picture.

[Tony Smith]

And Phoenix, you'll have to put up a new chapter on REMLR for the Moke and Trailer ( )
The Trailer was a Mil version made in Maribyrnong not available through Leyland dealerships, etc. Census No 5003A.

[Tony Smith]

I think there'd be even fewer original trailers surviving than Mil Mokes. This one was on E-bay a while ago:

[Rob Dyba]

That covers the green mokes, but what of the naval versions??? Very few people know of the mokes used by the royal navy , dropped off aircraft carriers when in dock for running around on shore. I have one single picture somewhere of one, black & white picture showing a 10" wheeled moke with the royal navy crest on the body side just behind the front wheel. Photo mid 60's vintage...another project one day...

Rob

[phoenix]

I'd heard about the article in the Mini Experience coming up, but I can't seem to find a newsagent that has it (not unusual in these parts)

As for another chapter of REMLR, the ACCO's are proving enough work at the moment as it is . Maybe a page will appear later

Rob, i'd heard of the naval mokes, and knowing the navy, they were probably stock standard and painted blue, that would be even easier to replicate than an army one, t would be interesting to see some pics of them as well.

Richard

[Rob Dyba]

If you do end up getting a moke eventually, make sure you don't attempt to put any garden elves in it.....

[Rob Dyba]

because moking is an elf hazard.....haa haa

Rob

[phoenix]

Oh dear

[Ken Hughes]

hi guys and gals,the new zealand navy had at least one mini moke,and it belonged to HMNZS OTAGO.
they were painted dark blue and were stowed on deck with obvious results!

[Col Tigwell]

The RAAF also used them, painted yellow as tarmac servicing vehicles.

Still rusted though

I also remember in 1969 seeing a batch on the wharf going overseas. They were stacked on on top[ of another using a special stand.

Regards

Col

[Acco Aus]

Richard,

I have about 4 mokes and a heap of parts, motors Gearboxes panels etc in my back yard and a mini and a trailer made form mini bits all belongs to a mate of mine but I am sure he wants to get rid of it all and it will be pretty cheap let me know if you interested, we might even be an\ble to get it to you somhow if I come on a holiday in the acco?

Pete

[phoenix]

G'day Pete. I'm very interested in this. Very interested indeed!

By the way, have you looked at the acco chapter in REMLR ? I've added a bit to it lately.

http://www.remlr.com/ACCO

[Acco Aus]

Richard,

Yes I have had a look and have some stuff you might be interested in to use on the site. I am in the states at the moment and when I get back will send it to you on the site for you to use.
When I get back I will talk to the guy who owns the mokes and get back to you with a price and possible plan etc.

Pete

[Keith Webb]

I can remember we used to call them 'tinny jokes'. Many years ago we holidayed on Magnetic Island where there was a large hire fleet of mokes in varying stages of deconstruction which were ideal for the job - loads of fun and you felt you were flying along even at low speed.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/ado15mokeausf.htm
http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/bro$2105f.htm

[Keith Webb]

Goodness knows how they keep them on the road!


Link

[grant fincher]

They put stainless steel bodies on them in Caloundra for those who want to do them up. Many newsagents use them for deliveries up here on the coast.
A school friend of mine was incinerated many years ago, when he was sideswiped in an accident and the petrol tank blew up. For that reason I have never been in one.
Grant Fincher

[ozzidan]

Hi, I am Accoaus's mate with the Mokes in his back yard. There is a story (there always is) to why they are there, but long and sort of it, I want to keep 1 and sell the other 3 and the Mini.
The tubs are all needing repair. There is a 1968 small wheel, 1971 big wheel (export model) with metal flip front, 1972 big wheel and 1975 big wheel. The mini is a hydro 1968 Deluxe. Depending on which one(s) you are interested in, a great deal can be had!