My covert ‘Moke Breeding Program’ has finally had a taste of success with our recent purchase of ‘The Red One’. (not its official name) 

   An extra Moke has long been on my agenda but alas until now my pleas of “can’t we have another one?” have always been met with the absurdly sensible reply of “I have my hands full keeping one Moke on the road!”

   Alan’s seemingly sudden change of heart came about basically as we were leaving Shepparton when a local friend near home contacted me to say that the Moke that he’s had for 25 years was now up for sale.....

   We didn’t really know much about the Moke even though it had joined us on a few outings. We knew it was a ‘Signal Red’ 1980 Californian that had never been restored and that it was loved and driven regularly. Biggles very kindly lent us his time and expertise in helping us have a good look over it. We discovered that it needs more work than we’d previously imagined (knowing that the PO was an ex Navy aircraft mechanic), but thought that with no rust on the body it was worth taking on.

   The plan is not to repaint/restore the body but to leave it as is. We’ll just fix up the mechanicals and suspension and whatever else needs attention so that we end up with the ‘best of both worlds’, ie a pretty Moke in Mazy and now this one that we won’t fear damaging the paintwork on and can be less mindful with (bush basher). Work on the front end will hopefully begin next weekend at the infamous ‘Hangar’ (many, many thanks to Biggles in advance), so I will have updates to follow.






  .... My first question cropped up early and it's regarding the compliance plate, can you see what question I might have?:



   .....Why is there is no ‘build month/year’ stamped on it? I had a bit of a look through the Aust Moke Register on Mokewerx and discovered that this is the case for the majority of those listed as being built in 1980. What is the story? I'm curious now.... We inherited a file of receipts and Rego papers going back 25 years and the Pink Slips for Registration each year contain a random build month that must’ve been pulled from a hat! They must have written whatever month they dreamt up at the time to complete the paperwork

   Anyway, there will be more to come.
       

    Mazy

Well done! It doesn't look all that bad, and the canopy is in good shape. I'm flat out keeping 2 older cars going, but mainly have knowhere to keep another moke. Besides, I can only drive one at a time.   

Thanks for your comments Pato and Mellow, but as for you MMD.....
    ......    "GET A GRIP!"      ......

  ..... Besides which I should point out that Alan is not too unhappy with the red/white colour scheme as per his beloved St George Dragons


    Mazy

    Good one Mazy
      And Alan just when you had all the grease washed off   Keep at it boy

        Smokey

Mazy and Moe?

Why don't you call it.................

                                                                                                   Al's Moke

x2

PART 2.....


Gemini Starter Motor to go in:




Adjustable lower control arms and tie rods and new bump stops get fitted:




Damaged Primary Gear thrust washer on the left will be replaced with the new one on the right:




More to the story following...


    Mazy