Find Lots

• Auction House:
  Mossgreen
• Sale Name:
  Collectors’ Cars & Automobilia – Featuring the Ferguson Collection of Motorsport Posters
• Sale Date:
  10 Dec 2017 ~ 2.30pm
• Lot #:
  53
• Lot Description:
  C1979 Mini Moke Californian 1275CC 4WD Prototype
  Chassis No: AKFPB19Y100001; Engine No: 12H879UH002540
• Notes:
  Almost always referred to as “cute”, the Mini took on a variety of forms, including the racy Cooper S, a delivery van, pick-up truck, the Countryman estate version, and most unusually the Mini Moke. First made at the BMC Longbridge plant in Birmingham in England from 1964 until 1968, the Moke’s open-air beach style meant it was a popular little vehicle in warmer climates. Subsequently, some 26,000 Mini Mokes were built in Australia between 1966 and 1981, before the final production of the Moke ended in Portugal (from 1983 until 1989). By 1973, the Mini Moke was only being produced in Australia. It was known as the Leyland Moke and a 4WD prototype was made for evaluation in 1979 or 1980. Using the larger engined 1275cc motor version called the ‘Californian’, the Australian version was intended to be a genuine 4WD drive vehicle. Whilst the car looks standard, its 4WD capability makes it unique. Having said this, though the vehicle is fully road complied, its off-road capability did not exceed that of a normal 2WD equivalent Moke. It is believed just two, possibly three, of these Australian Moke ‘Californian’ 4-wheel drive prototypes were produced, of which only one survives. The Moke offered here is the surviving Prototype. When production of the Moke ceased in November 1981, this 4WD car was loaned to the National Motor Museum in Birdwood, South Australia before later being sold by tender to Desmond Nudl, the MD of Port Darwin Motors in the Northern Territory who stored the car for some ten years. The car was subsequently sold in 2000 and all parts as required including brake hoses, rear brake wheel cylinders and perished rubber parts including cv boots were replaced by the new owner. The steering rack was overhauled with boots and bushes replaced. A new water pump was also fitted and at the same time the starter motor was overhauled, along with the alternator, carburettor, brake and clutch master cylinders, clutch slave cylinder, and the radiator serviced and fitted with new hoses. The roof and seat vinyl and side curtains were replaced by ‘The Toy Shop’ in WA, when sold in 2000. The car was purchased by the current owner in 2013. This prototype features all the normal Californian options such as disc brakes, bull bars and inertia-reel seat belts and has been restored to a standard maintaining its authenticity and provenance. The odometer shows just 280 kms and the car still sits on what is believed to be its original special tyres. Some unusual parts are fitted and numbers are not matching as this vehicle was hand-built in the Engineering Department at Leyland’s Moorebank facility. It is accompanied by a photographic record of the works carried out in 2000/2001. The vehicle was extensively featured in an article entitled ‘Four Wheel Moking’ in Mini Magic magazine; it was tested by 4x4 Magazine in 1982, and is highlighted with a photo on page 102 in ‘Moke: The History’ by the Mini Moke Club in England. A truly unique opportunity to become the new owner of the truly unique and well documented Mini Moke 4WD Prototype. This vehicle will be sold unregistered.
• Estimate:
  A$33,000 - 39,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

  Can't see the realised price? Upgrade your subscription now!

• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.