Photo of radiator shroud on last-built Australian Moke.

Well, if we are being picky, I thought that I should point out that the rubber on the radiator shroud was standard on all late Mokes (but I'm not sure when they started with that). Most people removed the rubber as soon as possible because it had a tendency to wear through the corners of the radiator header tank and cause leaks. It was originally there to improve cooling by providing a closed area between the the radiator and the wheel arch. However, cooling was rarely compromised by removal of the rubber.

As for the air pump missing - that was very common on late Mokes and as far as I have been able to ascertain over the years, and remembering when they were new, it appears that the Moke didn't require the air pump. When ADR27a was introduced, in June 1976, and the Minis got the air pump, the Moke followed suit. However, apparently someone at the factory realised that as the Moke was classified as a commercial vehicle it didn't need to meet ADR27a and the air pumps were deleted from later Mokes. The Mokes did have the charcoal canister, though, and the related pipes to the fuel tank, rocker cover and carby.

The Mokes that came from the factory without the air pump (or the associated plumbing) had plugs screwed into the head where the pipes for the pump normally went in. These plugs were flush or slightly recessed to the outside of the head and had an allen key slot. Those that have been removed at a later date may have these same plugs, but often either have the original pipes simply cut off and crimped or bent back, or have normal bolts screwed into the holes.



Engine bay of last Aussie Moke. Look carefully and you will see the plugs in the head.

Close-up of engine number shows the plug above, near the temp gauge sender.



Cheers,

_________________
Watto .
Photojournalist
Mini historian and enthusiast
http://www.theminiexperience.com.au

My apologies again!

But the backrests have been recovered though?

I agree, absolutely.

_________________
Watto .
Photojournalist
Mini historian and enthusiast
http://www.theminiexperience.com.au

Any chance that the apparent colour difference on the seats is simply due to lighting?
The interior side panels are also relatively unlit, and in the photo from behind the seats the bases and backrests look similar.


How much would the Moke be worth if the horn button was the right way up?

This is the shot that makes the seat uprights really look like they have been changed.

It is possible that it is on;y the lighting, but unlikely. The big problem with this photo is there are two light sources - the ambient lights in the showroom and the flash on the camera - so it is difficult to see what is correct and to compare the parts of the seat that are affected by the different light sources. Would be good to see the whole seat in natural lighting, though.





The "horn buttons" on these steering wheels on the late Mokes are non-functional. The horn button is of course on the indicator stalk. The buttons on the steering wheel are for decoration only and are loose fitting, so they easily rotate and often turn due to the vibration of the car when driving.

This is one of many things, though, that photographers need to take into account when photographing a car.

Cheers,

_________________
Watto .
Photojournalist
Mini historian and enthusiast
http://www.theminiexperience.com.au

Thanks Watto for the answer.


I was worried this might be the case, but took the risk instead of looking it up.