MOKE IS A TIME CAPSULE

The Alex Issigonis-designed Mini Moke was originally intended for military use as a lightweight, go-anywhere vehicle that could be dropped by parachute. On test it failed, mainly due to its small wheels and low power, so it was repurposed for recreational use. In this form it was produced from 1964-'68, with 14,518 cars made at Longbridge. It was also built in Australia and Portugal.

- COMPILED BY MICHAEL WARE

The Moke was never officially imported into Sweden, but three were built to a local specification and sent to the BMC importer in September 1966 then never registered. It is thought that only one of these survives, after being hidden behind a wooden wall in a barn on the island of Öland. “It is clear it has never been driven on the road, and appears to have gone straight into storage,” says Fredrik Nyblad. “Judging by its condition, it was looked after very well.”

At the time of import, Sweden drove on the left-hand side of the road, but the headlights on this left-hooker were set for driving on the right and, like all BMC vehicles that were imported to Sweden, it wore headlight deflector stickers wearing the message: ‘Not to be removed before September 3rd, 1967.’ On that date, Sweden switched to driving on the right.