The Mini Moke was developed at a very early stage in the Mini project as a light utility version of the car. In 1959, prototype Mokes were tested by the British and US armies but were finally rejected because of their lack of ground clearance and no four‐wheel drive.

The civilian Moke was launched in 1964 but didn’t sell well in Britain with almost 90% going for export and production transferred to Australia in 1968. These Mokes were soon updated with larger wheels and revised suspension, to make them better off-road.

In 1981, Moke production moved to Portugal. Austin Rover officially ceased production in 1989, although Italian firm Caviga took over the rights, its last Moke emerging in 1992.