Is There A Resto In You?

That was the question addressed to a panel of three Resto-Achievers at the April 2018 general meeting. Actually the question was addressed to the audience by panel chairperson Terry Pollard who had prepared a set of questions and slides to draw out the wisdom of experience from Clive Allan, Axel Bendix and Peter Shackleton. The meeting was well attended and helped many members to consider - or reconsider - their desire to restore a Moke.

Key considerations from the discussion were:

• Whatever budget you set and whatever time you allow, a restoration will cost you at least twice as much in time and money as you expected.
• Where will you work? Where will you store? How will you move efficiently between the two areas?
• The body is the focus. Put your energy into getting it right. The rest is a meccano set you take apart and put back together.
• As you deconstruct, photograph, label, categorise and store. Reconstruction will be so much easier if you do this well.
• Some parts of the process might be better passed over to a professional - sand blasting for example.
• You can do it and you don't have to do it alone. There is always someone in the club who will help you learn.
• Keep on the good side of the domestic financial controller. Promise of a ride when it's done may not be enough.
  

Now some words of wisdom from each of the panel members:

Peter Shackleton

This 1979 Moke was purchased in 2004 with a restoration deadline of the 2006 Muster. It was completely dismantled before a bolt by bolt restoration. The shell was in magnificent condition and only had a small amount of rust in the front driver’s pannier box. Bumps and dints particularly to the rear and front passenger side needed work. A rotisserie is an essential piece of equipment and cuts tens of hours off a restoration (including painting). Happy to lend it ... when I finish my next one!

       

 

Axel Bendix

Mokes are a great car to restore as there isnt really any rounded panels and they are about as simple a car as there is. Take lots of photos and label everything. Take your time and enjoy the journey. There is always plenty of people in the club ready to lend a hand and some friendly advice.

       

Clive Allan

Don’t be intimidated by people who have done a restoration. You don’t need any particular skills other than perseverance and having the desire to “give it a go”.

       

 

GM February 2018

The Colours of Summer

What a beautiful sight on a sunny, general meeting evening. And this isn't all of them. At one point we could count 16 Mokes outside the club room.

2017 Encouragement Award

Finally presented to Rebecca and Leigh Luxford by President Cliff. The Luxfords received the award because from the date they joined they came to all meetings and attended all trips up until they went on their 5 month round Australia trip - and therefore missed the Presentation Lunch. Also Rebecca took minutes several times at the meetings when the Secretary couldn't make it.

Video: 1987 Templestowe Hill Climb

Mark Radford (#180) has recently found and converted a Super 8 film of this event. This amazing day in club history now has its permanent home in VIC MOKE our You Tube Channel. See Video Links in Quick Links at the bottom of this page or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyouZGfxXnI&t

Mark's Other Find

Let's let Mark tell the story:

So, I was screwing the downpipe to the shed wall. I went to use the Angle Grinder to cut a pipe … and the power had gone off.
The Safety Switch had tripped. I had screwed through the Shed wall and through the power cable. In order to repair the power cable I had to pull out a shelf. An old shelf, covered in dust, dirt, mouse poo, etc.
I cleared everything off the shelf and unscrewed it off the wall. As I lifted it off I noticed an unusual ‘shape’ in amongst the grime.
It was a metal map of Australia ... with some engraving on it.
I took it inside and, with the help of some ‘Silvo’ and elbow grease, I polished it up.

The inscription is:

To Cappy
from The Boys of the 2nd 108 Transport
1946

Many years ago I had this little Map on the front of my Green Moke. It travelled thousands of kilometres around Australia.When I painted the Moke red I took it off and haven’t seen it since. What a treasure!

Editor's Notes:

1. Cappy was Mark's grandfather.
2. Can anyone suggest what metal the plaque might be? Mark says: "No rust and not brass."
3. The hunt is on. Can anyone find a photo of this plaque on Mark's Moke when it was painted green?
   Mark can't.

Sing Yourself Silly with Santa

Santa The Red-Nosed Mokee Doug Williams # 2 Santa the red-nosed Mokee Has a very shiny nose That's because he takes his roof off Ev'ry bloomin' where he goes. All of the other Mokees Think that Santa's cooked his brain. They'll always have their roof up In the sun or in the rain. Then one full moon Christmas Eve Santa thought anew. Night's the time for roof down fun In my red suit I won't turn blue. Then all the other Mokees Knew that Santa got it right. Now they always take their roof off On the run to see the Christmas lights.

Santa The Red-Nosed Mokee Graeme Hardiman # 1399 Santa the red-nosed Mokee Has a very shiny nose That's because he takes his roof off Ev'ry bloomin' where he goes. All of the other Mokees Haven’t got a bloomin’ clue, How to take their flamin' roof off, As it has been set with glue. ‘Til one soggy Christmas eve, Santa came to say All you other Mokees Here is how to play. Now all the Mokes together Head to help Santa's sleigh They filled all their Mokes with presents Made the kids' Christmas Day.

Christmas at the Clubhouse 2017

A Merry Missy Christmas

•  30 Mokes and around 65 people present but Missy and Rhonda were probably the 'best dressed'.

     

• Santa did the right thing by the kids - small and big

     

     

           

• ...and there was ice-cream for supper. Yummy!

     

MOA True Encouragement Scholarship

Meet Riley McNamara, a former baker now working at Eastern Honda. Twenty-one years old, Riley was a late starter into an automotive mechanics course at Box Hill T.A.F.E. Staff soon noticed his attitude and ability and those characterisitics, combined with recognising that life was making it difficult for him to continue the course, led to Riley's selection as the first recipient of the Moke Owners' Association of Victoria apprentice support program known as the Moke Owners' Association 'True Encouragement' Scholarship.

 

The presentation of this magnificent tool caddy and Sidchrome tools, total value $1500, and an honorary membership of the MOAV for a year, is another example of our commitment to the article in our constitution requiring the club to be of some good in the community. Andy Preston has led us into this new adventure and the feedback from staff at the August 22nd presentation suggests that Box Hill would be very happy to continue the relationship next year.

Moke Raffle: How & Who

Our June meeting saw the drawing of the raffle for the project Moke that had been so successfully marketed since Tracel started discussions with the committee some months ago. Tracel began by retelling the back story of the Moke and how Robin's sudden passing led to this moment. We were blessed with a peek into two loving lives.

Peter had set up a computer with a neat random draw program and Tracel clicked the mouse three times to find the three winning numbers. And here they are. Watch along the top of the screen to see the prizes drawn.

         

The lucky winners were:

• First prize: 1975 Yellow project Moke ... Ticket 368 purchased by Mr D Butterworth
• Second prize: $150 dollar voucher from Minis Plus ... Ticket 111 purchased by Mr R Harper
• Third prize: $50 dollar gift card at SCA ... Ticket 218 purchased by Mr M Phillips

All proceeds to the Heart Foundation in memory of Robin. But that's not the end of the support for the foundation that will come from Robin's shed. Watch Tracks for further news.