The current Ford Falcon was designed by Scotsman and some of them have American V8 engines...

A mate and I took a free 1969 Morris Mini Van, bodged up the rust and did 9000km (5600miles) in three weeks across Australia and back. We had the head off the engine five times. But we made it and had a ball.

Absolutely. Mor power to the people that do this stuff. (I mean metaphorical power, not more power to their cars.)

I have to agree. When I see lots of modifications it makes me think "This car is thrashed" and want to run screaming. Even worse when a "dildo shift knob" or similar brain dead features are considered worth of mentioning in the add.

It's an ugly brute, but I cannot look away.

I liked these until I drove one. That freaking useless fat C pillar drove me crazy. The lack of a Diesel option in this land where most 4x4's are Diesel was the final nail in the coffin.

I read this and I was thinking "You stupid American asshole" until I read the last paragraph. Perhaps you are human after all.

I forgot the 1969 Morris Mini Van - DAV the Desert Assault Van.

Yep, I sure do:

Damn! yes!

Seen this Camry advertisement "Hip to Be Square"currently running in Australia? It's actually pretty good. It sort-of says Camry's are only bought by daggy Dads, so lets make them feel better about being daggy!

I prefer to call them Lasagna. Because the average Leganza lasted about the same amount of time as a Lasagna lasts in a fridge.

Doesn't everybody has strange dream cars? It does not have to be expensive or exotic to be interesting. I've lost count of how many times people have told me "I'd love an old Mini/Moke/Beetle like yours but I don't have the time/money/space/skills for a second car." For them an old Mini/Moke/Beetle is a dream car. …

Mate, that really sucks. But yo learn a big lesson. Check exactly what your insurance covers you for. I reversed my Bug into a pole a couple of weeks ago so I can sympathize. Totally stupid thing to do. Insurance approved repairs yesterday, so all will be good in a couple of weeks I hope.

One thing I can say that's good for countries with no utes. You don't have the ute douches. Middle management types who spend $75,000 on a HSV Maloo just so they can feel good about their Akubra hat and RM Williams boots on the weekend. They talk about going to the "Ute Muster" one day and doing "circle work" like…

Because Turkey!!

You can where I live buddy. With either transmission. Example:

Aussie Mokes after 1969 have 13 inch wheels with high profile tyres and six to eight inches of ground clearance. With a bit of prep you would be amazed where they will go. The one you drove might have been the Portugese version on 12 inch wheels and little tyres with bugger-all clearance under it.

You just put the top up, like any convertible. All Aussie delivered Mokes had a top. If later owners discard them, it's not the car's fault. :)

At $22,995 they are not going to sell many in Australia either. An original, restored Moke 1275cc with slightly more power and less weight (but no five speed) sells for about $15K in Aus. I already own a 71 Moke and I was interested in the new one until I saw the price. Still, they will probably sell quite as few…