Car enthusiasts keep the magic of Mini Moke alive and prove that old is as good as new

With their bright colors, soft tops and striking designs, Mini Mokes are instantly recognizable.

The Mokes were originally designed as a military vehicle for the British Army before being unveiled to the public in 1962 and going into mass production two years later.

Mokes – named after a type of pack horse – entered the cultural zeitgeist after starring in the television series The Prisoner in the 1960s.

Mini Moke owner Malcolm Retallack loves the reaction he gets from people when he tries out his Moke “Malroy”.

A man smiles as he stands next to his blue Mini Moke. — Malcolm Retallack says Mini Mokes entertain people of all ages. (ABC New England North West: Sally-Anne Young)

“I just like the fact that you get smiles from the people lining the street everywhere you go,” Mr. Retallack said.

Mini Mokes were originally manufactured in Great Britain and from 1968 Australia became the main producer of the vehicles.

More than 26,000 Mini Mokes were made in Australia until production ceased in the country in 1981, and then in Portugal in 1993.

‘No big stereos or computers’

A few times a year, Mini Moke enthusiasts gather across Australia, many crossing the border and spending days on the road.

Dozens of enthusiasts recently gathered in Tamworth to rev their engines and share stories over five days at the Mini Moke Round Up.

Although attendance dropped significantly during the pandemic, things appear to be looking up for the events now.

“This year it’s 42… we’re about what we were doing before the COVID-19 crisis,” said organizer Steve Payne.

A man in a high-vis shirt stands in front of a row of Mini Mokes. — Steve Payne says nostalgia has a lot to do with the popularity of Mini Mokes. (ABC New England North West: Sally-Anne Young)

“The reason most people got into it is because they knew someone who had one when they were younger, a bit of nostalgia I guess.”

Mr Retallack said it was love at first sight when he found a Mini Moke in Trundle, in Central West NSW.

A blue Mini Moke. — Mr. Retallack’s pride and joy, Malroy. (ABC New England North West: Sally-Anne Young)

After purchasing and repairing it, he named it Malroy, a combination of his and his late father’s name, Roy.

“What I like most about the Mokes is that they relate to the older generation,” Retallack said.

“It’s good to see that the younger generation still likes the small, old cars.”

A bright yellow Mini Moke with a young child in the passenger seat. — Young Alfie represents the next generation of Mini Moke enthusiasts. (ABC New England North West: James Paras)

Mini Moke owners work all year round on their prized possessions: customizing, upgrading and repairing the historic vehicles.

“Malroy is a pretty basic type of car, there are no automations or big stereos or anything like that,” Mr Retallack said.

“It has a base engine that has been built out to about 1310,” he said.

Warren Pirie says moke-ing runs in his family, and it’s almost a full-time job.

Two men and two women in matching gray shirts stand in front of a maroon Mini Moke. — Warren Pirie restores Mini Mokes and there are several Mokes in his family. (ABC New England North West: Sally-Anne Young)

“I’ve restored four mokes… we strip them down to bare metal, take off every nut and bolt, sandblast it, remove the rust and then paint it… a lot of work,” he said.

Years of dedication

Colin Loudon traveled from Jervis Bay on the NSW south coast to the state’s north-west in Farkles, his striking bright pink Mini Moke, with long eyelashes sticking out of the headlights.

A small, pink car called Mini Moke, with eyelashes sticking out of the headlights. — Colin Loudon’s pride and joy is Farkles, named after the glitter in the Moke’s paint. (ABC New England North West: Sally-Anne Young)

“(My wife and I) traveled six days to get here. When you retire, you dream of doing things like this,” Mr Loudon said.

“If you have a Moke, people will stop and talk to you, it’s that simple.”

A man in a character hat stands in front of Mini Mokes, including a pink one with Farkles written on the spare wheel cover. — Colin Loudon has attended five Mini Moke Round Ups in Tamworth. (ABC New England North West: Sally-Anne Young.)