Wikipedia:Today's featured article/March 12, 2007

The Mini Moke is a vehicle based on the Mini and designed for the British Motor Corporation by Sir Alec Issigonis. The name comes from "Mini"—the car with which the Moke shares many parts—and "Moke", which is archaic British slang for "donkey". The initial design was a prototype for a light military vehicle in the style of the American Jeep, but its small wheels and low ground clearance made it impractical as an off-road vehicle. It was subsequently offered in a civilian version as a low cost, easily maintained, utility vehicle. The Moke finally achieved success as a beach buggy - becoming a popular 'cult' vehicle in Australia, the U.S. and many tropical holiday resorts. The Moke used engine, transmission and suspension parts identical to the basic Mini. Mokes were first built at BMC's Longbridge, Birmingham plant, but production was soon moved overseas. 14,500 Mokes were produced in the UK between 1964 and 1968, 26,000 in Australia between 1966 and 1981 and 10,000 in Portugal between 1980 and 1993 when production of the Moke ended. (more...)

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