Lot 163: 1965 Morris Mini Moke

This unusual car was bought new in Tel Aviv by Australian war correspondent Murray Sayle during the 1967 6-Day War. His duties required him to travel both sides of the war zone and the armed Israeli taxi drivers were naturally unwilling to take him further than the Israeli front line. He couldn't find a car to hire as everything had been requisitioned by the Israeli army, but returning to Tel Aviv, he saw this new Moke standing on a garage forecourt. He promptly bought it, was issued Israeli visitor plates (still with the car) and used it extensively around the war zone visiting places of action on both sides. The floor was lined with sandbags in case of land mines, hence the white 'protective' paint on the rear floor. When his reporting duties were finished, he drove it overland back to his London base. He then used the car everyday to carry out his journalistic duties around Europe and particularly Northern Ireland at the height of 'the troubles'. The Moke was there on the infamous 'Bloody Sunday' as Murray's report on the incident has now become a matter of evidence. On his return to the UK in 1968 Murray commissioned Barton of Plymouth to fit the very rare hard top. Only a handful of these are known to exist. It has been slightly modified allowing the doors to be lifted off during hot weather for open side driving. The opening vents below the windscreen have never been seen on any other Moke and are possibly the only ones that exist. The front seats hinge forward for access to the rear and the bonnet is hinged. Other Barton modifications include a bonnet stay, handle and lock. A heater is also fitted. In 1973 Murray went to follow a story in Japan where he stayed for a total of 25 years, returning to the UK for brief visits. The car remained in his London garage unused for 31 years before it was sold in 2004. Under the bonnet is the original 848cc engine fitted with a Stage 1 Downton conversion by the Special Tuning Division at Abingdon (famous for preparing the works rally Minis). The engine and body numbers are stamped with the Star of David confirming its Israeli heritage. After 38 years in a London garage the car was officially imported in 2004 and is legally registered in the UK and supplied with a V5C, a current MoT valid for a year and a Heritage Certificate. The car has not been restored and is in its original condition. The car has simply been cleaned and polished with running repairs carried out as required.