Prisoner Mini Moke Survives!

    Just when you think that the Prisoner has thrown up all the surprises it can, there is always one more thing to be discovered. For example, the picture below is of CFC 916C, which was thought to be the only Prisoner Mini Moke to have survived the series. Pictured here at Portmeirion in 1993.

Four Mini Mokes were said to have been converted by Wood & Pickett in the summer of 1966 for the Prisoner series, and transported to Portmeirion in September 1966. Each were subtly different, and parts and fittings were swapped around during the course of filming. Some of the Mini Mokes, if not all, were later returned to London for use in studio filming. Two registrations were CFC 916C and HLT 709C, the first having been owned by Max Hora the once proprietor of the Prisoner shop at Portmeirion. The Moke fell into disrepair in the late 1980's, but which was restored. But later again fell into disrepair, and was eventually sold to a fellow enthusiast of the Prisoner, who restored the Moke for a second time. And the latter, featured in publicity material produced by Barton Motors. And it is the exciting news that HLT 709C has been discovered in storage in a barn in Holland, where it has been for many years, and is pictured below.

A Dutch restorer and afficianado has purchased the Mini Moke, with a view to restore the Village taxi to it's former glory.
    The Mini Moke, still complete with it's original candy striped canopy and the remnants of the canopied Penny Farthing on the bonnet can be seen, although with its two rear seats removed, also minus the interior trim, spare wheel and candy striped wheel cover, together with the missing front seat covers.
    It is believed that this Mini Moke was owned by someone involved in the original series production of the Prisoner.
    Whilst previous Mini Mokes connected to the series have not been one hundred percent verified to have appeared in the series, there can be no doubt whatsoever of this Mini Mokes provenance, which is proven by the license plate HLT 709C as seen in the next picture.

    It is this Mini Moke which featured the Prisoner episode Living In Harmony, driven onto a back lot at MGM Studios, which was used for the American Wild west frontier Town of Harmony, by actor David Bauer as No.2, as seen in the next picture taken from the episode.

      Certainly in the past there have been many finds to be linked to the Prisoner, but none so in recent years. HLT 709C, for fans of the Prisoner is certainly the find of the decade. And in itself is proof that there are still finds, linked to the series still out there, waiting to be discovered.    Be seeing you