Mystery Mini derivative (81)

We know by bow that there are some extraordinary Mini derivatives to be found on the islands of the Caribbean. The wacky Moke-style cars of Petit St. Vincent (click here), the Carimoke, Minilan and Royal Bank Special of Barbados (click) and the 'Party Yaks' of Trinidad and Tobago (click). The car below was spotted on Trinidad and Tobago also, but even it's owner doesn't know what it is. Ramesh Sookdeo wrote: "The owner applied for a certified copy but didn't get any as yet. We don't know even what type of car it is." 

Although it definitely looks to be Mini based I have never seen it before either, although I quite like the Tonka toy looks of it, with big roll bars and fat Cobra drag slots. Anyone here who's seen it before..?

Mystery Mini based Jeep style car hails from Trinidad and Tobago

Picture Ramesh Sookdeo

Trinidad's Party Yak in action

A message from Trinidad & Tobago, where Richard Sookdeo still enjoys his Grantura Yak and where tuning is taken to whole new levels. I was sent these little movies of the car known as the Party Yak (more here) in action and wondered what the other cars were. I now understand they are Mini Mokes with extra 24" inches of metal added to the back and 18 " to the front to be able to install a Datsun 120Y engine including its transmission and diff!

Video courtesy Ramesh Sookdeo

Video courtesy Ramesh Sookdeo

We now know the Party Yak, in yellow. But what are these other beasts..?

Picture courtesy Ramesh Sookdeo

Much-modified Mokes, is the answer. They have some skills in Trinidad & Tobago!

Picture courtesy Ramesh Sookdeo

Meet the Party Yak

Think of the Grantura Yak as a Spartan workhorse? Think again. World most lavish Yak lives in Trinidad and Tobago with Richard Sookdeo. Richard purchased the car from an oil company called Trintoc (now Petrotrin) and wrote: "They used the car for expats to drive between buildings / plants and it was eventually left abandoned (the shell alone) and we made the necessary arrangements and purchased it. We later bought a classic Austin Mini and started our restoration project . The car carries a two series number plate which shows how old it is in Trinidad (PH - 8414) and our schemes go like PH-PZ; PBA-PBZ; PCA-PCZ; PDA… with PDM being present. The yak now has a Metro 1300 engine with a Weber installed and is upgraded to original Mini disc brakes at the front. It was further customized with a sound system which compromises of some dvd screens and a box in the back of the car - everything could be removed to show the original car at any given time."

It seems Richard even used the car at his marriage. Thanks for getting in touch!

This looks like a fairly standard Grantura Yak, but then you haven't seen all of it...

Picture courtesy Richard Sookdeo

 … television screens, neon lights, stereo systems and a dashboard unlike any other 

Picture courtesy Richard Sookdeo

 It's Richard's pride and joy and he even used it at his marriage. Congratulations mate

Picture courtesy Richard Sookdeo