“The mechanical side was relatively easy,” he says, “but I wanted to keep as much of the original body as possible. Over the following two years Phil with the invaluable assistance of various specialists, laboured to restore the Moke to the wonderful condition in which you find it today. The latter was created by McGoohan as “an ironic symbol of progress”. The engine was not functioning, and the bodywork was in a dire state, but at least the roof and, crucially, the Penny Farthing motif on the bonnet were in situ. At that time, its condition could be best described as challenging. Its buyer was our vendor Phil Caunt together with his friend and fellow Moke enthusiast Jeremy Guy. The vehicle resurfaced several years ago, having been found in a barn in Holland, and returned to the UK where it was sold at auction in 2015. What is known, however, is that it spent some time in the Sheffield area in the early 1970s, and that later in the decade it was privately exported to The Netherlands. The car itself is seen extensively being driven by McGoohan in numerous episodes notably 'Arrival' and 'Many Happy Returns'.Īfter filming concluded in 1967, the Moke fleet was dissipated and the history of HLT up until 2011 is largely unknown.
#Mini moke body registration#
The Mokes' registration numbers were normally covered by a plate reading “Taxi” but on one occasion they were left off by mistake and HLT can clearly be seen in the episode entitled ‘Living in Harmony’ driven by actor David Bauer as No.2. CFC 916C and HLT 709C were both involved in the filming ( the first having been owned by Max Hora the once proprietor of the Prisoner shop at Portmeirion ) however HLT is the only one that is, beyond any doubt, used on screen. Some of the Mini Mokes, if not all, were later returned to London for use in studio filming. Each were subtly different, and parts and fittings were swapped around during the course of filming.
#Mini moke body series#
Although the show was sold as a thriller in the mould of the previous series starring McGoohan, Danger Man (1960–68), its combination of 1960s countercultural themes and surrealistic setting had a far-reaching influence on science fiction and fantasy TV programming, and on narrative popular culture in general.įour Mini Mokes were said to have been converted by Wood and Pickett in the summer of 1966 for the Prisoner series, and transported to Portmeirion in September 1966. The series follows a British former secret agent who is abducted and imprisoned in a mysterious coastal village resort, where his captors try to find out why he abruptly resigned from his job. It stars and was co-created by Patrick McGoohan and combines 'spy fiction' with elements of science fiction, allegory and psychological drama. “ The Prisoner” was a 17-episode British TV series first broadcast in Canada beginning on 6th September 1967, in the UK on 29th September 1967, and finally in the US on 1st June 1968. It's fitting that HLT's first post-restoration day out was an emotional trip back to Portmeirion and according to our vendor “When I took the car back to The Village and drove it past those famous buildings, I really got the sense that it had come home.”.Since its completion by our vendor, HLT has had International magazine coverage and was subject to a several page feature in 'MiniWorld ' magazine as well as being the cover star in the September 2018 issue.The distinctive striped canvas top and seat covers had to be reproduced but, pleasingly, the original 'Penny Farthing' motif, although aged, remains on the bonnet to this day.During its restoration, as much of the original shell was built into the replacement panels that make up the bodyshell, as well as the front bulkhead, the screen frame, bonnet, cross-member, 2 seats, dash and other parts were repaired and used.Due to a 'mistake' whilst filming the registration plate is seen. Although 2 Mokes survive from the filming back in 1966, this Moke (HLT) is the only one that is, beyond any doubt, used on screen.After filming concluded in 1967, the Moke fleet was dissipated and the history of HLT up until 2011 is a mystery, however, it turned up in a barn in Holland and was shipped to the UK prior to being purchased, in a very sorry state, by our vendor in 2015.The 850cc engine in HLT was replaced by a 998cc Cooper-spec unit at the time of the Wood & Picket conversion.Four Mini Mokes were converted by Wood & Pickett in the summer of 1966 for the Prisoner series, and transported to Portmeirion in September 1966.HLT 709C is one of the two surviving Mokes used in the 1968 'Cult' TV series starring Patrick McGoohan and, of course, driven in the series by the man himself.We are privileged to offer what is, undoubtedly, the most famous Mini Moke in the World.
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