Aussie favourite Mini Moke makes surprise return

An Aussie favourite from the 1960s and ’70s is making a triumphant return to the road decades after the last one rolled off the production line.

The Mini Moke returns.

The Mini Moke is making a mighty return.

Modern version of the Mini Moke has entered production.

British company Moke International has announced it is reviving the classic little open-top car.

Known for its beach-buggy/golf cart-like looks with plastic coverings for the roof and the doors, the Moke was a popular vehicle in Australia during the 1960s and ’70s.

Plastic doors and roof is all that protects drivers from the elements.

The original Moke was built in Australia for about two decades by Morris and latter by Leyland.

The British brand’s chief, Isobel Dando, said: “Moke is an iconic British brand that has always evoked feelings of fun and freedom. The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Brigitte Bardot have all been captivated by the personality and unique styling of these iconic cars. We’re excited to relaunch the brand into a new era and introduce Moke to the next generation.”

The original Mini Moke was built in Australia for almost two decades.

Initially the Moke will be limited to 56 special editions to mark the 56 years since the car first entered production. But the company has said that it will offer a standard Moke as a permanent model.

Moke has upgraded the engine and general mechanics to meet modern expectations. It will be powered by a one-litre four-cylinder engine making 50kW and 93Nm matched to a four-speed automatic transmission. Speed will be limited to just 110km/h.

Upgraded suspension and brakes make for a better and more composed drive.

The Moke will also be slightly larger than the original, providing a more spacious cabin and items such as power steering and heated windscreens are now standard.

Moke has made big improvements to the way the car drives.

Moke has enlisted the help of Mark Truman to lead its engineering and production functions. Truman has previously held senior technical roles at Aston Martin, Ford and Jaguar Land Rover.

But all this doesn’t come cheap, the Moke is priced from £20,000 ($35,000) before taxes. Moke has said it is proving popular with resorts and buyers in coastal towns.

The company has plans to expand sales beyond the UK next year, but Moke will need to pass rigorous safety checks before going on sale locally.

Originally published as Aussie favourite Mini Moke makes surprise return