1986* Mini Moke Project - NO RESERVE

 This is a 1986 Austin Rover Mini Moke which was built in Setubal. Portugal. and is offered for sale with NO RESERVE.   This is NOT a Chinese body shelled Mini conversion. this is a REAL Mini Moke!  I had this Moke on the road for a couple of years in Central Virginia before I started to strip it down for restoration.   It has been in a climate controlled garage since I purchased it in 2003. and has not been driven in the rain. nor on salted roads since then.   It does have some rust in the driver and passenger floorboards. in the windshield frame. and in one small spot in the firewall. and all are documented in the pictures.   I started stripping the car after removing a fiberglass patch in the driver's floorboard and finding rust.   It was running great when I started the restoration (good compression with little variation between cylinders). which was several years ago. and just to state the obvious it is NOT in running condition now (the carb. and gas tank are removed - see pictures - and the roll bar and seats are not bolted down). and will need to be taken away on a trailer.   All the parts that were removed are still with it. and are included.   The windshield (windscreen) glass is cracked. and will need replacement.   The windshield frame has some rust as well.   The outdoor picture shows the Moke as I purchased it. NOT AS IT IS TODAY!

The gas tank is in excellent condition. as are the battery and storage compartments. The body is extremely straight. the pannier hatches and hood are all in great shape.   The headlights are the European yellow beams.   I replaced the original kilometer based speedometer at 60. 90km (actual) with a NOS mph based unit which has 125 miles (actual). meaning that it has 61. 90km or 37. 59 actual miles.   I've owned an English and an Australian Moke. and in my opinion. the Portugese Moke is the model to have.   Not only does it have a heater/defroster that works great. but it has larger bumpers (bull bars) and front wheel disc brakes. and the straight fender flares that give it a better look.   The roll cage is a great addition. giving support to the three point restraints for the front seat passengers.   But the largest positive to me is the shifter placement. and the shift pattern.   It's really comfortable to shift gears. and it isn't necessary to hook your leg behind your head in order to shift to reverse!

By the way. this car comes with a clear Virginia title.   It was built in 1986. but is titled as a 1977.   I bought the car from a reputable Florida antique car dealer that I have been dealing with for over two and a half decades.   He purchased this car and its' twin from a Georgia dealer who then gave him a Bill of Sale for each (in Georgia. at least at that time. no title was required for antique cars. just a valid Bill of Sale). and my Florida dealer treated it as a dealer transfer. giving me a copy of the first Bill of Sale. and the subsequent one from his dealership to me.   The problem was that the original Bill of Sale from Georgia incorrectly stated that the car was a 1977 model.   But that wasn't the largest problem.   Virginia requires a title to be surrendered for every car transferred from Florida in order to issue a new Virginia title.   Picture standing in line at DMV for an hour. only to be told that I could have a registration and plates. but no title.   So I took the tags. drove the car. and FOUR YEARS and numerous letters to Richmond later. I received a Virginia title.   For a 1977 Mini Moke.   So to the Commonwealth. it's a 1977.   But it's a 1986. trust me on that.   I can show you how to decode the VIN. which contains not only the year. but the car number. left or right hand drive. transmission type. production plant. manufacturer. etc.   If you want to educate the DMV. more power to you.   I suggest you pack a lunch.   Actually. lots of them!

If you are a serious Moke fan with car restoration ability. or know a great paint & body shop and upholsterer. then this Moke is a FIND.   If you aren't. then you might want to look for a Moke that is already running and restored.   But if you are serious about restoring a Moke to perfect condition. then this car is even more of a find for you.   Several years ago. Cagiva (the last producer of the original Mini Mokes) offered up the pick of their supply of New Old Stock (NOS) parts to the Mini Moke Club of England.   The members all got first shot at the NOS parts cache before it was sold off in bulk to M Parts in England.   I was a member.   I bought at least one set of every rubber part on the Moke. and a brand new windshield frame as well.   I will offer the winner of this auction their choice of any/all of these parts at an additional cost. but at prices below what M Parts is currently charging for these NOS parts.   Whatever the winner doesn't purchase I will list later on Ebay.

Happy bidding. good luck. and I hope that you love driving this car as much as I did!  Any questions. please message me.   I will be happy to arrange an appointment to show the car to all serious bidders.   It is located near Charlottesville. VA. just minutes from I-64.

Also published at eBay.com

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