Extract from ABC News
Feel good
Revheads keep the magic of Mini Mokes alive. (ABC New England North West: James Paras and Sally-Anne Young)
With their bright colours, soft tops and eye-catching designs, Mini Mokes are instantly recognisable.
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 kind of packhorse — entered the cultural Zeitgeist after featuring in the television series The Prisoner throughout the 1960s.
Mini Moke owner Malcolm Retallack loves the reaction he gets from people when he takes his Moke "Malroy" for a spin.
Malcolm Retallack says Mini Mokes entertain people of all ages. (ABC New England North West: Sally-Anne Young)
"I just like [that] everywhere you go you get a smile out of people along the street," Mr Retallack said.
Mini Mokes were originally manufactured in Britain and from 1968 Australia became the primary 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 1993.
'No big stereos or computers'
A few times a year Mini Moke enthusiasts gather across Australia, with many travelling across borders and spending days on the road.
Recently in Tamworth, dozens of aficionados gathered to rev their engines and share stories over five days at the Mini Moke Round Up.
While attendees dropped significantly during the pandemic, it seems things are now looking brighter for the events.
"There are 42 this year … we're about what we were up to pre-COVID," said organiser Steve Payne.
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 have gotten into it is because they knew someone when they were younger who had one, a bit of nostalgia I guess."
Mr Retallack said it was love at first sight when he found a Mini Moke at Trundle, in Central West NSW.
Mr Retallack's pride and joy, Malroy. (ABC New England North West: Sally-Anne Young)
After purchasing and repairing it, he christened it Malroy, a combination of his and his late father's name, Roy.
"The best part I like about the Mokes are they relate to the older generation," Mr Retallack said.
"It's good to see that the younger generation still like the little, old cars."
Young Alfie represents the next generation of Mini Moke enthusiasts. (ABC New England North West: James Paras)
Mini Moke owners work on their treasured possessions year round: customising, upgrading and fixing the historical vehicles.
"Malroy is a pretty basic type of car, there are no computerisations or big stereos or anything," Mr Retallack said.
"It has a basic engine that has been machined out to about 1310," he said.
Warren Pirie says moke-ing is in his family, and it's almost like a full-time job.
Warren Pirie restores Mini Mokes and there are multiple Mokes in his family. (ABC New England North West: Sally-Anne Young)
"I've restored four mokes … we strip them right down to bare metal, take every nut and bolt off, sandblast it, take the rust off and then paint it … a lot of work," he said.
Years of dedication
Colin Loudon travelled from Jervis Bay on the NSW south coast to the state's north-west in Farkles, his eye-catching bright pink Mini Moke, which has long eye lashes extending from the headlights.
Colin Loudon's pride and joy is Farkles, named after the sparkles in the Moke's paint. (ABC New England North West: Sally-Anne Young)
"[My wife and I] travelled over six days to get here. When you retire you dream about doing this stuff," Mr Loudon said.
"If you have a Moke, people stop and talk to you, it's simple as that."
Colin Loudon has attended five Mini Moke Round Ups in Tamworth. (ABC New England North West: Sally-Anne Young.)
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