[wws]

Mini Mokes were never officially imported into the U.S., though a few have made it here over the years. Back in the late 1980s, I jumped at the opportunity to rent one during a visit to Barbados. It was... an experience. These folks are hoping to bring them to the U.S. as NEVs (35 mph max - though I am not sure the original gas version was much faster):

http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2017/03/27/electric-car-popular-in-st-barts-to-be-sold-in-u-s.html

Be seeing you.

 

[ianjay]

Maybe for gathering balloons at the beach? I can think of a few more possible uses, but that would be telling.

 

[dutch husky]

My wife and I rented a Mini Moke on our honeymoon in 1997, while on St. Barts. What a hoot. We'd never seen one before yet down there they were all over the place. Of course it was a gas version...this article makes it sound like they've always been electric but not at all the case.

 

[srmarti]

Around here people do over 35 in 25mph zones. I don't see much point in a $15k vehicle that will get me run off the road. Not sure if LSVs are even road legal in my state.

 

[volt3939]

My first job, working on the ranch owned by the owner of all the BMC dealers in this half of the state. Mini-Moke was used to haul hay to the cows, while the BMC 948cc diesel tractor with a scoop on the front was used to carry rice hulls to the stables. Tractor was actually cooler to drive, as it had the same syncro 4-speed behind a 3-speed box for 12 gears forward and 3 reverse. The only tractor I've ever driven that could be down-shifted! Of course you had to be careful that the rice-hulls were dry, wet ones would raise the back tires instead of the bucket...

Even cooler was the Safari Mini with wicker seats and a canvas "roof" with a fringe ala surrey-with-a-fringe-on-top.

 

[Fyodor]

Around here people do over 35 in 25mph zones. I don't see much point in a $15k vehicle that will get me run off the road. Not sure if LSVs are even road legal in my state.

The original Mokes had the same drivetrain as the Mini, so were probably good for around 70 mph, not having the Mini's elegant aerodynamic styling. I'd leave the mechanics as is. I'd love to have one today, or maybe a Manx.

 

[wws]

The one that we rented in Barbados burned about as much oil as it did gas. I had to add several quarts. It was also hard to go much faster than 35 mph given the state of the roads on the island. The last few days we were there, we replaced it with some Japanese micro van. Maybe an Isuzu? It was pure luxury compared to the Moke.

It was also interesting learning to drive a RHD car on the other side of the road. Took a couple of days to get acclimated to it.

Didn't see any monster-sized white balls at the beach.

 

[Fyodor]

The one that we rented in Barbados burned about as much oil as it did gas. I had to add several quarts. It was also hard to go much faster than 35 mph given the state of the roads on the island. The last few days we were there, we replaced it with some Japanese micro van. Maybe an Isuzu? It was pure luxury compared to the Moke.

It was also interesting learning to drive a RHD car on the other side of the road. Took a couple of days to get acclimated to it.

Didn't see any monster-sized white balls at the beach.

BMC didn't make very durable cars to begin with, and keep in mind that that Moke was probably built in 1970 or before, and been beaten every day of its life. It's a wonder it ran at all.