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Dummies Quick Guide to Moke Spotting |
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For many people all Mokes look the same, but the Moke underwent many minor and major changes thriugh out its life time. The little quick reference gives you a simple understanding of the major changes and the less than definitive answer to "What makes it a Californian?" |
A quick guide for Moke Spotting
Little Wheeler
Production started in 1966 using panels shipped from the UK and a 998 engine and a few local modifications like upholstered seats. The 10" wheels are the obvious clue and the lack of metal guard extensions that came in with the 13" wheels., spotted by the edge of the guards and the side boxes are flush with each other. In manuals these are referred to as MK 1
Early Standard Moke
In 1968 the production presses came to Australia and in April the 13" wheel Moke(The Big Wheeler!!) came about. Referred to as the MK 2. The Guards had an extra bit of metal attached to make them wider, the trailing arms grew a bit longer and the rear panel had a couple of extra 'flares' added to account for the larger diameter wheel. The clubman came with a rod change box around '72-'73 and so did the Mokes of that era.
Export Moke '71 to '73
Originally intended to be sold in the USA Virgin Islands, the side fuel tank was removed and a Sprite fuel tank was mounted under the rear tray, between the subframe. The front and rear guards were made a bit heavier and taller to accommodate some side indicator lights and a 1275 was fitted with the standard drum brakes. This was the original Californian and came with the infamous Floral print hood and seats as I believe did standard Mokes of the era. From research it appears on 1,000 were built but the deal with teh Virgin islands fell through so all were sold locally.
Standard 76
Not a lot of changes were made from the MK2 in 1968 to 1976 other than engine and gearbox configurations. The most obvious changes in the body was in 1976 the front grill became a seperate demountable panel allowing easy access to the front of the engine.
Californian returns in '77 -'79
The name came back with a make over, but for he most part not much changed from a standard Moke except the word Californian appeared on the compliance plate, the only year that it did. Throughout this period the pretty bumpers appeared and by 1979 the bumpers no longer came through the front panel, but mounted to the underside of the Subframe. A couple of extra warning lights appeared on the dash and the wiper/washers got a new set of controls. Sunraysia wheels started appearing also along with disc brakes in 1978. This make over happenened to co-incide with another trend going on in the 4wd movement so it is hard to say for certain but changes seem to have come from the Marketing department and probably an ex-employee. The Blue Denim upholstery also started in this period.
Galvanised body arrives '80 - '82
The most dramtic series of changes came about in the form of the Galvanised body shell, side fill round tank, the sliding or adjustable 'Tombstone' style seat in the irreplacable Blue Denim upholstery and the rear bumper came with lower support mounts and a spare wheel bracket that was more involved than a bit of bent rod with thread on it. The other major change was the windscreen which now reached all the way down to the wheel guard, doing away with the little triangle panel.
What Makes it a Californian?
For most people if it has the stickers then it is a Californian and if it was built between '77-'82 there is a fair chance it is Californian. Many like to believe a Californian must have fancy bars, 1275, disc brales and Tombstone seats, but there are many genuine Californians out there with 998's and drum brakes and straight bumpers.
So which is the real Californian? The original Export moke destined for the Virgin Islands or the '77 that appeared with the words Californian on the compliance plate, or the many variations from then on that came out with nice stickers on the bonnet?
The answer is actually a lot easier, simply look at the compliance plate and there is a character in the body number that tells you whether it was an optioned Californian or a poverty pack Moke. |
