S.W.B South African Mokes

[mikea]

Who knows about and can help identify one of these vehicles?

[Dean]

Have you got a photo?
Dean

[mikea]

Will post photo when I can, however just brought a very 'blinged' vehicle which has recently come from South Africa. On investigation there is a body number still in place on the inner wing, well hidden under paint and wiring loom, AMB1739N. Believe this is a 1964 made Pressed Steel body. Also the wheelbase is 72.5in, making it a swb model.
The chassis number is South African and only on the import papers, doesn't relate to any UK codes.
So, were there any swb Mokes sent in CKD form to SA? or can the body number be related to any existing records?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Mike

[pbraun]

Try contacting the user name "Bodge" he may have some knowledge of this.

[1967moke]

You need to check out the Mini Moke Club published book - Moke The History, page 46 onwards. It tells you all about these short wheel based Mokes. Here is the first para extracted from the book.
Roy

BMC’ South Africa Export short wheel base Moke - Mk3

Research has identified that as early as March 1962, another prototype short wheelbase export version Moke was produced at Longbridge. This resulted from a requirement from the South African market. Following design work undertaken in the prototype drawing office at Longbridge an initial prototype, out of a total batch of six, was produced at Longbridge and then shipped to South Africa. This prototype was then copied and a further five short wheelbase Mokes were fabricated at the Blackheath maintenance workshops near Cape Town. Now badged as ‘BMC’ (called here the Mk3 SWB for identification purposes), it took on a complete new appearance in terms of ruggedness, and almost looked fearsome! The front panel, grille and edge features had all changed yet again. The windscreen still folded down but had slotted guides allowing the screen to be clamped into various positions, rather than just up and flat. Two rubber bonnet stops had been introduced rather than one, and the familiar rubber bonnet fasteners (toggles) were replaced by mechanical latch fittings as the rubber restraints were considered unsuitable and lacked robustness. The high wheel arch profile had been retained but the return flanges on the top cappings and sloping panels had been slimmed back down and now had a more pleasing rounded front corner.