1991model  Cagiva Moke

The place we visited for this interview was the owner’s charming, hand-built garage…
And resting there was a 1991 Cagiva Moke—the final evolutionary form of the Mini Moke.
Though the Moke was originally born in England, its last chapter was written in Varese, Italy, where the well-known motorcycle manufacturer Cagiva produced this model for only three years, building roughly 1,500 units in total.

From the temporary deregistration certificate in the owner’s possession, we can see that this car—type E-XKE22—was newly registered in Japan in 1991 (Heisei 3).
Its chassis number, TX5XKFP31E8S190083, beginning with TX5XKFP, confirms via its frame code that it is an Italian-built, final-lot Moke equipped with the A-series 998cc engine.
It was officially imported in extremely small numbers—only “several dozen”—by Checker Motors, which at that time handled Rover, Mini, Lotus, and other brands, making this one of those very rare, formally imported Mokes.

This exceptionally rare Cagiva Moke, newly registered in Japan in March 1991, passed from its first owner to the current second owner in March 1998.
For an extraordinary span of 27 years, it has been treasured by just a single custodian…
It has created countless family memories while being carefully preserved in full original condition.

The owner is an enthusiastic outdoorsman who enjoys serious mountain climbing, and the Moke served as the perfect partner—not only for year-round camping, but also for bravely climbing mountain passes even in winter to reach distant destinations and safely return.
In doing so, he experienced firsthand the true essence of the Moke: the British “all-purpose jeep” it was designed to be.
The car bears marks and memories of the journeys they shared—life moments etched into metal.

There were, at times, winter troubles as well…
The owner fondly recalled a time when the battery died on a freezing mountain pass.
He pulled the choke, pushed the lightweight car while running alongside it, jumped in, and started the engine on the fly.
He shared these stories with a joyful laugh—the kind of tales that only someone who has lived closely with a Moke for so long could tell.

As life progressed—marriage, a growing family—the Moke was temporarily deregistered in 2007.
Then began its long hibernation in the garage, with the owner always thinking, “Someday, I want to let it run again…”
Although he occasionally started the engine in the early years, the demands of establishing his own business made time scarce.
In recent years it has become non-running.

In other words: this Moke has been asleep in the garage for 18 years since deregistration—an exceptionally rare, long-slumbering survivor.

Aside from the Weber side-draft carburetor, everything inside and out remains original—an extraordinary rarity among Mokes, which are often heavily modified.
Because the engine has not turned in years, the correct procedure would be to add oil through the plug holes, hand-crank it to distribute the oil, then overhaul the electrical system, fuel tank, and fuel pump before attempting ignition.

Yet the body and chassis show no major rust or corrosion, and even the oil pan and drain area have been preserved dry and clean.
When we pushed the car during the interview, it moved forward and backward, though it stopped at points where some of the brakes were seized.

The soft top remains, just barely, but the removable roll-up doors have deteriorated and would need replacement if top-up driving is desired.
Although dirty, the seats have no tears and the floor shows no corrosion.
You can clearly feel the owner’s tenderness toward the car—his enduring wish that “one day, I’ll let it run again…”

Because it is a very simple, analog neo-classic with no complex electrical systems, the path to revival is clear—making it an ideal restoration project.
What is needed first is a carburetor overhaul, inspection of the fuel system, replacement of the fuel pump and strainer, renewal of fuel lines, and basic ignition servicing.
Starting with the restoration of the front calipers and rear drums, bringing this Moke back to life appears very achievable.

Even better news: the Cagiva Moke uses the classic Mini’s 998cc engine, transmission, suspension, and brakes.
A strong global supply chain for Mini and Moke parts—centered in the UK but available worldwide—still exists today.

And moreover…!
If one wishes to enjoy topless driving that suits the Moke’s wild character, that option is perfect as is—but incredibly, brand-new soft tops (with roll-up doors) are still available from France:

“Soft top with doors for Mini Moke Cagiva convertible in black vinyl with black finishes”
※ Safe external link below
https://www.comptoirducabriolet.com/en/convertible-mini-moke-cagiva-convertible-tops/soft-top-mini-moke-cagiva-convertible-black-vinyl-black-finishes.html

The car’s pedigree, minimal rust, and the authentic breath of an original, final-lot Cagiva Moke still alive within it…
As a “never-ending dream project” resting quietly in a garage, it represents the perfect vision of an enthusiast who enjoys the restoration itself.

Every word the owner shared conveyed deep affection for this car:
“It’s simple, so I always felt safe no matter where I went… Even if the engine didn’t start, I always thought I could manage somehow by pushing it.”
In that one sentence, the beautiful essence of a life spent with nature—and with a Moke—was perfectly condensed into a single “story of people and their car…”