Morris Mini Moke '970 S' 1965

A Moke with poke!

In all probability, this is a one-off, and will never be repeated,

In 2019, classic race car technician David Loundon decided to draw upon his ideas and expertise to build a unique creation; the Moke 970 S was born.

Current specification:

Engine:

• Fully rebuilt and balanced (very rare) 970 Cooper S motor with thick flange block machined to +40 = 999cc.
• Southam fast road 12G940 cylinder head fitted with Swiftune bronze valve guides and race valves (lead free).
• Swiftune cam and Iwis (high quality German) timing chain.
• Twin 1.5 inch SU H4 MGA carburettors with ram pipes as used in period by pre-66 works Cooper S’s (until the HS4 SU was available) – an expensive carburettor choice.
• New Pipercross free flow air intake filter socks fitted over the ram pipes.
• LCB and skidded Maniflow system with centre exit.
• Southam rolling road tuned circa 81 hp; with 405 kg weight = 202 bhp per ton.

Gearbox:

• Fully rebuilt, correct Cooper S 22G333 casing with helical (std) gears.
• Cross pin diff for strength.
• Centre oil pick up pipe to prevent oil starvation when hard cornering.
• New AP clutch.

Body:

• The original tub was too rusty rusty for economical restoration, the decision was taken to use a new Moke Panels bodyshell but retaining all the original body data tags.
• Painted in Spruce green (paint code GN13) to include hard wearing paint coded underseal.
• Original refurbished and painted front and rear sub frames.
• Rear bumper mounts slightly extended to allow for fitting of the wider S spare wheel.
• Adjustable ride height using Hi-Lo components, front and rear.
• Adjustable dampers front and rear.
• Original steel front seat bases.
• Rear fibreglass seat bases.
• Original seat covers x 4.
• New front and rear floor mats.
• New fuel tank and modern Facet fast road fuel pump.
• New wiring loom (old look).
• Switched cut-out behind and below driver’s seat.
• 970 Cooper S 120 mph ’dead’ speedo. SN4479/22 (3.441 final drive correct for 970/1071/1275 S).
• Oil pressure gauge.
• Water temperature gauge: normal = three quarters, not middle.
• Fitted electric (switched) fan as well as the engine-driven S original.
• Smiths RVC1003/00F rev counter (which bounces) fitted into original Speedwell tacho pod.
• Front Speedwell badge is a rare original, the rear is a reproduction.
• New M Parts green hood, sticks and straps.

Wheels and Brakes:

• 5 x 10 inch original Minilite alloys, newly powder coated (BMW Ferric grey gloss), fitted with Yokohama A008 tyres.
• AP front brake calipers with new Cooper S discs.
• Superfins aluminium rear drums.
• Adjustable brake bias valve.

Why? Well, why not? Nobody needs a 202 bhp-per-ton Morris Moke, but the world is a better place because of it..