Scamp Mk 1

This is where it all began.
When BMC withdrew the Mini Moke from sale in the UK, they unknowingly spawned a whole after market for Mini-based replacements. Of course, many have since fallen by the wayside but, whether due to its styling or construction philosophy, the Scamp has outlasted them all.
Whereas most other similar offerings relied on fibreglass, the main featue of the Scamp has always been its aluminium clad steel frame.

The original Mk1 was an ingenious way of recycling old Mini componentry long before it became a cultural expectation: indeed the main inspiration for many was simply the desire to drive a vehicle that was cheap whilst capturing the memory of the Moke. The base vehicle could be any variant of the Mini, although hydrolastic models were usually avoided due the the excessive complexity of the suspension - every thing about the Scamp screams SIMPLE! The chassis was constructed principally from angle section steel to accept both front and rear Mini subframes. For true open-top motoring, the windscreen frame folded flat and hood stays were optional. The low-line bonnet led to the headlamps being mounted quite low which provided the distinctive front styling. However, despite the lack of similarity to the Moke, owners are regularly having to explain that it is in fact a Scamp.

Many onwers have raised the headlamps to sit above the bonnet line, either employing spotlights or by adding Kermit-style binnacles. Production of this inital model ended in 1977 - but only to make way for the improved Mk2. Even now, after fifty decades, Mk1 Scamps can still be seen being enjoyed as Robert Mandrey intended. The black and white photographs are from Robert Mandry's archive and the yellow Scamp is that of longterm owner Chris Westgate.

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