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PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 10:54 am 
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Wow, another thread thats going down a completely different path.

Just for those non-mokers. Can someone explain what the 'California' moke is (ie. what makes it different) and when they came into production.?

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PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:26 am 
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What is typically thought of as a Californian is simply a higher trim level than a base model Moke. They were originally released in 1971 and had features like brighter colours, a colour coded steering wheel and patterned vinyl roofs.

There aren't many of that style still around so what people usually mean is the later style which was re-released in 1977. They had white painted bull bar style bumpers, spoked 'sunraysia' steel wheels, sports steering wheels, better upholstery and roofs with denim look vinyl and most critically 'Californian' stickers on the bonnet.

Initially the later Californians were fitted with 998s but some received 1275s and disk brakes after the 'facelift' in late 1979.

Genuine Californians can usually be identified from their body numbers (or if you have a '77 it says 'Californian' on the compliance plate), but it was pretty common for dealers to upgrade base models with some or all of the Californian pack towards the end. Its also likely that the factory just threw together whatever parts they had, in the dying days.

Tim

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PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:37 am 
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What herd are you referring to Mokesta?

Anyone who knows me or my Moke will know I customise it the way I want. My opnion is Mokes were made to be modified.

The current "fashion" is for Cali's and Cali lookalikes. Great if that floats your boat. It simply doesn't float mine. I like Mokes a bit custom and enjoy comparing mods over originality.

I don't think your car is in any way inferior Mokesta. I say more power to you for making it what you want and who cares what the compliance plate says. A Moke is a Moke is a Moke to me.

For the uninitiated, the "Cali" or Californian features white Sunraysia rims, stickers on the bonnet, sports steering wheel, more elaborate white bumpers and often (but not always) a roll-bar and denim trim on the seats and top. They can come with a 998 and drums or a 1275 and discs. They were officially introduced in 1977.

There is also the "Californian Export" from 1971-72 which was a limited edition to use up parts from a cancelled US order. They featured the "flower power" top and seats, different lights, bumpers, rear-mount fuel tank, different rear guards, a 1275 with drum brakes and a bunch of other detail changes. That limited edition sold well, hence Leyland's later introduction of the Californian most people recognises today.

If you drive an 850, Deluxe or a K you are probably familiar with people asking "Is it a Cooper?" all the time. The same thing happens with Mokes, except they ask "Is it a Californian?"

(Don't flame me if I have dates/features/colours wrong. I am typing this from my own soggy memory. :) )

Cheers,

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Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2


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PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:46 am 
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Some pics of mine. Always evolving and changing.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2


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PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:57 am 
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Love that dash Brett.8)

BTW for those wondering, noooo- they were not sold in California..

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PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 12:07 pm 
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Thanks Doc. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. :)

More pics in my thread here:

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=18069&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Cheers,

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2


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PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:30 pm 
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adamstuart wrote:
I sense a trend in our little group..


8)
MOKE4LYF


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PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:37 pm 
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I think there should be more Mokes with hard tops and ute trays.

Even better would be a Moke with both.

And California stickers. :wink: :lol:


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PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:42 pm 
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You know what's funny. People who aren't Mini or Moke people, or even car people, who you tell that you have a Moke always ask if it's a 'Californian'. Maybe I missed out on something being born in the 80's.

They also ask if your Mini is a Cooper S.

Brett, by the sounds of it, gets this all the time.

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PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 4:13 pm 
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poeee wrote:
Brett, by the sounds of it, gets this all the time.


Exactly. I also had one guy insist it must be a Californian because it's Yellow. :roll:

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2


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PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 4:19 pm 
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bnicho wrote:
poeee wrote:
Brett, by the sounds of it, gets this all the time.


Exactly. I also had one guy insist it must be a Californian because it's Yellow. :roll:


Proving the point that idiots like Cali's :lol:

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PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 5:05 pm 
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niec pics everyone,

but i have a question, how come some have removable front grills and some dont ?


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PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 5:21 pm 
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_666_ wrote:
niec pics everyone,

but i have a question, how come some have removable front grills and some dont ?


That feature was introduced at a certain point (1977 ??). Older Mokes dont have removable grilles, although plenty have been converted.

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2


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PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 5:29 pm 
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_666_ wrote:
niec pics everyone,

but i have a question, how come some have removable front grills and some dont ?


Just different Year Model Mokes Also some mokes Had flat Bonnets Some had the Front bar through the Grille panel and bolt on to the subframe and others had the bar go under the grille panel and bolt to the subframe,there are a lot of changes made to the moke that help in giving You a reasonable idea of the year model without opening the bonnet and checking ID or compliance plates

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PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 5:31 pm 
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_666_ wrote:
niec pics everyone,

but i have a question, how come some have removable front grills and some dont ?


Just different Year Model Mokes Also some mokes Had flat Bonnets Some had the Front bar through the Grille panel and bolt on to the subframe
and others had the bar go under the grille panel and bolt to the subframe,
there are a lot of changes made to the moke that help in giving You a reasonable idea of the year model
without opening the bonnet and checking ID or compliance plates

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" A Hundred Years From Now It will not Matter what my Bank Acount Was,
The Sort Of House I Lived in, Or The Kind Of Car I drove ... But The World May Be A Better Place
Because I was Once Important In The Life Of A Child"


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