The story of
THE BUCKBOARD
1959
At the end of the 1950s, the British Army needed a light, parachuteable air utility vehicle.
A specification was sent out and a prototype was developed. The response from the British Motor Corporation was a vehicle codenamed "Buckboard".
Built under Issigonis supervision, it was presented to the Queen's troops in 1959. The first prototype failed inspection because of its low ground clearance and small 848 cm3 engine.
THE MINI MOKE
1962
Undaunted, BMC made adjustments to its initial design and, in 1962, introduced the Mini Moke (Moke is an archaic dialect term for donkey).
The vehicle featured larger tires, better off-road capabilities and improved suspension. However, military officials remained unimpressed.
To recoup the car's development costs, BMC decided to market a civilian version of the Moke. The new vehicle appeared in January 1964.
The original 848 cm3 engine has also been adapted to give the Mini Moke authentic 4 × 4 capabilities.
The Austin Mini, also designed by Sir Alec Issigonis, proved to be a great success thanks to its distinctive bubble car look. By 1964, the MINI MOKE had gone from military status to rock star.
"George loved cars, as did all the Beatles. After the E-type, he bought a silver Aston Martin DB5 and a Mini Moke, a small jeep-like car with no doors or roof, which was great fun in summer. People used to drive up and down Kings Road in these cars, and George would often pick up David and Boo from the station in this car when they came to stay with us".
Pattie Boyd - Wonderful Tonight
- George Harrison's Mini Moke.
CALIFORNIA MOKE
THE BEATLES,BARDOT AND BOND
The British Motor Corporation (BMC) continued to produce variants of the MOKE, starting with the Morris Mini MOKE in 1966 for the Australian market.
Throughout the 1960s, the MOKE established itself in popular culture, appearing in cult TV series such as The Prisoner starring Patrick McGoohan. In 2021, the MOKE with its striped canvas hood and covered seat, featured in The Prisoner, was sold at auction for £69,750.
MOKE has also appeared on the big screen in four James Bond films (On ne vit que deux fois, Vivre et laisser mourir, L'espion qui m'aimait and Moonraker).
Throughout the 70s and 80s, the Californian MOKE, and later the Portuguese BMC model, were seen on the Mediterranean coast and Caribbean islands. From Paul McCartney to Bridget Bardot, riding a MOKE was a counter-culture to the frenzied celebrity lifestyle.
The last BMC MOKE rolled off the production line in 1993. After this date, imitations were manufactured in China and the USA.
100% electric
2022
In 2022 MOKE International launched the Electric MOKE and became the first automotive brand from the 1960’s to go 100% electric. Designed and manufactured exclusively in the UK, MOKE is for a Worldwide audience, who have time to take it slow and enjoy life’s journey.
In 2023, MOKE International has appointed Suncar SAS, headed by Yann Ayache and Jeremy Pavis d'Escurac, as an official partner of MOKE International in France.
