ok. looks like the first moke imported by dealer was AAB1L/717370.. anyone here know who owns it here in the USA?? 

bodger.. good chating with you offline today.. ok.. looks like first moke imported to the USA  MIGHT be in 1965  and was vin # AAB1L-717370  .. thanks everyone..

bodger.. did you buy your 17 catalina mokes from Larry H or Tom Schramm?? and  are you at  m-parts.co.uk or runamoke ??

BC I'm sorry but simply can't help you much more.  The first of the Catalina Mokes may have been ordered from a single batch.  I understand that the size of the Catalina fleet was initially around 50 but grew to around 100 as the owners bought additional Mokes from around the Californian region.  Those 100 Mokes will be spread over very many batches and impossible to identify.  We only know about 17 of them and the build dates for these vary from November 1965 through to May 1967.  Michael and Sherry Chandler have indeed owned their Moke from new and it underwent a restoration some years back.  Sorry but I haven't received any personal email from you.  Can you resend?

Bodger..  Ok. I got email from Nigel Sykes/ www.mokeclub.org  with Sherry email today..  where were the Catalina mokes imported in 1965?/ and what did the vin number start with?? imported to LA or Philly first??do you know were the first batch of mokes went in the USA..?? I was told into  Philly by the dealer there. recently..thanks again. for this info  I sent you personal email also..well it seems Michael and Sherry might have one of first FIDDY mokes imported into the usa.. and they still OWN the moke..  dealer was San Fran British cars..vin was #AAB1L741xxx

Any Moke with a chassis number earlier than 678*** would be a 1964 Moke.  I haven't been to BMIHT at Gaydon for a while and it would be quite simple to see from the records which was the first batch of Mokes sent to the US.

 

From the old records of the NAMMR that Sherry compiled, it looks like there are at least nine 1964 Mokes with 1964 chassis numbers in North America but I suspect most of these are personal imports from the UK.    

 

There are four entries on the list of Mokes from your Philadelphia batch that have chassis numbers from 771076 to 771094.  But I don't think these were the first batch of Mokes that went to the US as there are several Mokes in other batches around 717350 to 717400, 734550 to 734600, 751100 to 751150 and 765200 to 765300.  (There were usually 50 or 100 Mokes in each batch and I have simply guessed the start / finish numbers).

 

Even though all these cars are 1965 cars, the list shows most of them as 1966 or even 1967 cars.  We know from the Catalina Mokes that we purchased that many were not registered for 18 months or more after manufacture. 

Hope that helps.  Roger

big al thanks.. again.. fyi. I am looking for export model mokes imported in 64/65 to philly that had vin numbers prior to AAB1L771077

The history on Robins’ moke is that it went from The UK to the Barbados as a hire car at a resort

A Canadian from London Ontario purchased the moke and drove it  in the Barbados for many years until he passed then it came to London where it was sold to a buyer in Oshawa Ontario

I sourced it for Robin and then l trailered it to North Royalton Ohio

It was one crusty moke but Robin did a great job restoring it

 Big AL

peter..  know I will have to check with him.. i think I have his email / phone number..happy new year

bc - did you check with Matt Jones? He might have some of Robin's records.

peter  many thanks..  If imported to philly I would like the vin number .. I do NOT do facebook.. merry christmas.. bc

Nope, but he's on facebook so I messaged him to look at this thread.
He's in Coquille, Oregon and has a 65, imported to Philly..........Maybe could look up phone in directory...

peter I do NOT know chris mckay.. have email or phone number for him??

maybe check with Chris McKay in Oregon. His is early.

jedduh01.. what is NC DMV Lic and theft / Special titles / VE unit  in Raleigh NC..NOT liking about your 64 title?? I might be able to help....  did you get a BMHT cert with it?/ this is MUST  .. if it has red  V 5. a MVR 92 h title bond is also a MUST now..call me

I forget what year mine is. I'll have a look next time at the shop. It came from the North East. Steve (CTR)

well.. I looked up Mark Caldwell 65 moke that sold on BaT.. it was even earlier..   AAB1L771077   and it is 1965

My 1966 is #834794.

Vin I know=   841480  -  Car came with a 1965 Title... and to be honest NC DMV isnt liking the  65 Title from seller. Vs the 'later number".... To be determined.  Almos think 841480 should be a 66 / 67 Vin


My 66'  Registered car is  807922

jedduh1  vin number would be prior to AAB1 / 771001 .. I am NOT sure about the 1964 mokes being titled as 1965.??. I have couple of 1965s..  yes.. looking for the group of first 50 mokes imported in late 64/ early 65 to Berry Buick / Keenan motors..  any help would be appreciated