1988 Austin Rover Mini Moke

Registration No: E959 HFG
Chassis No: TW7XKFP3285781701
MOT: May 2023

• Reputedly one of six Mini Mokes customised by Austin Rover dealer Blandy Bros of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria complete with uprated roll bars, seats, alloy wheels and faux wood trim
• Supplied new to Casa Dromedario of Lanzarote and later resident at a German Schloss before being UK road registered in 2001
• Full weather equipment and displays a highly credible 12,000km

With the laudable intention of providing a lightweight scout vehicle for the British Armed Forces, BMC inadvertently created one of the Swinging Sixties most iconic vehicles, the Mini-derived Moke. Lack of ground clearance made the utilitarian four-seater ineffective as a military tool, yet the civilian version carved itself a niche as a cult mass-produced ‘beach buggy’ for nations with hotter climes than Britain. Moke production began in Britain (14,500, 1964-68) before moving to Australia (26,000, 1966-81) and finally Portugal (10,000, 1980-93). Portuguese manufacture allowed the Moke to rationalise components with the then-current Mini MK4, including the fitment of disc brakes and 12-inch wheels.

Reputedly one of six Portuguese-built Mini Mokes to have been customised by Austin Rover dealer Blandy Bros of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, chassis TW7XKFP3285781701 is further understood to have been supplied new to the Casa Dromedario on Lanzarote. Still wearing the latter’s logo on its bonnet, modifications are believed to have included: a prominent rollover bar, bespoke upholstery, faux wood trims (as per ‘The Prisoner’ Moke), and 12-inch alloy wheels. Relocating to the Casa Dromedario proprietor’s native Germany in 1997 where it apparently saw service at one of his Schlosses, the four-seater still bears signage declaring ‘vor kälte schützen’ (protect from cold) and ‘schwimmweste unter ihrem sitz’ (life vest under your seat). Briefly owned by Heinz Will, whose children did not take to it, the Moke was acquired by its present registered keeper during 2001. Fitted with a reconditioned 998cc A-Series engine eighteen years later, ‘E959 HFG’ currently shows a credible but unwarranted 12,000km (c.7,500 miles). Showing signs of what is presumed to be the original factory wax coating to its engine bay and inner wheelarches etc, the Mini derivative retains a distinctly 1980s vibe. Expected to possess a fresh MOT certificate by the time of sale, it also comes with a V5C Registration Document, history file and full complement of weather equipment.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737