The winter of 1962/63 was cold and bitter, and in the snow outside Longbridge on 7 January 1963, Alec Issigonis and Charles Griffin demonstrated the prototype twin-engined Mini Moke to the media. Even Norman Wisdom, who was appearing in pantomime in Birmingham, was in attendance.’
https://www.aronline...tested-for-bmc/
Norman Wisdom seated alongside Charles Griffin, who was then Chief Engineer, Cars at BMC, outside the Kremlin in Longbridge on one very snowy day.
The Times, 8 January 1963
"A twin-engined 1696cc version of the BMC Mini-Car has been produced experimentally at the BMC works here by Mr Alec Issigonis, technical director, and Mr George Harriman, chairman of BMC.
Together they have been working on special versions of the vehicle for nine months, with the idea of conquering arctic driving conditions and last Thursday it passed its final proving runs. The vehicle-known as the twin-engined Moke 4×4-is powered by two 848cc Mini engines fitted front and rear and driving each pair of wheels which use the normal independent rubber suspension. The car with an open body, has interconnected throttles and clutch controls. But there are two rear levers mounted on either side of the driver so that with the front engine in use the rear engine and drive can be brought in when required."
More here on AROnline:
http://www.aronline....ears-ago-today/
This Moke's No Ass (British Pathe 1963)
Birmingham, West Midlands.
"M/S men looking at the forward engine of the Moke. They walk to the back of the car to look at the rear engine. Various shots as they look at the engines. Various shots as they walk round and try the gear levers. M/S as designer Alec Issigonis gets into the car. C/U of the snow plough attachment on the front. C/U Issigonis as he pulls away with Jack Daniels. M/S's car travelling through heavy snow throwing it up in sprays. M/S's as car goes past camera throwing snow up into lens. M/S car going away from camera. Various shots as the car speeds along throwing snow up into the air."
