This did nothing for the ground-clearance problems, and mechanical complications discouraged development beyond the prototype stage. In a further attempt to make something for the army, a few four-wheel drive Mokes were made by the addition of a second engine and transmission at the back of the vehicle with linked clutches and gear shifters.
Įarly promotional material made much of the lightness of the vehicle, showing four soldiers travelling in the Moke off-road, then picking it up by its tubular bumpers and carrying it when (inevitably) its low ground-clearance proved inadequate. Only the Royal Navy showed any interest in the Buckboard, as a vehicle for use on the decks of aircraft carriers. These prototypes were shown to the British Army as a parachute-droppable vehicle, but poor ground clearance and a low-powered engine did not meet the most basic requirements for an off-road vehicle. By 1959, BMC had working prototypes of what was codenamed "The Buckboard", later to become the Mini Moke. Issigonis had previously designed the Nuffield Guppy in a failed attempt to break into that market. This was an attempt to take a portion of the military vehicle business from Land Rover. When Issigonis designed the Mini, he planned another vehicle to share the Mini's mechanical parts, but with a more rugged body shell. The name combines Mini with Moke, an archaic term for " mule". 26,000 were manufactured in Australia between 19, and 10,000 in Portugal between 19 when production ended. The first Mokes were manufactured at BMC's Longbridge, Birmingham plant, with 14,518 produced in the UK between 19. The design was subsequently offered in civilian form as a low-cost, easily maintained vehicle, achieving global popularity as a lightweight, recreational and utility vehicle. Originally prototyped as a lightweight military vehicle using the engine, transmission and suspension parts from the Mini van, the design's small wheels and low ground clearance made it unsuitable as an off-road military vehicle. The Mini Moke is a small, front-wheel-drive utility and recreational convertible, manufactured and marketed originally by British Motor Corporation (BMC), and subsequently marketed under the Austin, Morris and Leyland brands.ĭesigned by Sir Alec Issigonis and John Sheppard, the Mini Moke is noted for its simple, straightforward, doorless design, and its adaptability.
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