Last Updated on December 17, 2023 by Marybeth
Even Motortrend wondered, “What the heck is a Moke?” so don’t feel bad for asking. Also, a Slingshot? Isn’t that a drink, or an amusement park ride?
You’ve seen them around. The Mokes are cute, they look vintage, but also perfectly brand new. They began as Mini Mokes back in the 1950s and became a symbol of fun-in-the-sun in the 60s for celebrities and musicians like The Beach Boys, who called theirs Mini Surfers and had them painted in stripes, with fringed canopies. No one seems to know exactly why they faded away, and why production continued in Australia for awhile but not in the US or the UK.
Enter the 21st century and green-friendly electric power, and now the Moke has been re-engineered to be modern and more comfortable: longer, wider, and taller. Besides having an excellent sound system (hook your phone up to the bluetooth) the new Moke is built in America with American parts. Street legal, classified as a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) the Moke goes up to 25 PMH. A detailed history of the Moke in CarsGuide said “They look cool and they tell everybody that you’re having a better day than they are,” which we think is perfect for exploring St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, or Jacksonville! The hard part will be deciding which color. Choose yours at Seaside Adventures, a family owned company who just won the coveted TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award.
While the Moke appeals more to some of us (me!) with its vintage-look power to stop us in our tracks just to stare at it, and its family-friendly slow speed (I’m a grandmother now! Slowing my roll a bit here) many of you will want to rent a Slingshot. Seaside Adventures rents a 2-seater, a 4-seater, and a 4-seater Limited Edition Slingshot. Not a car and not a motorcycle, the Slingshot is the best of both those worlds. With an open-air cockpit, and a playfully low profile, your Slingshot rental will go as fast as the speed limit sign allows. No helmet required, but helmets are recommended. Automatic and manual transmission are available.
During a recent visit to St. Augustine we spotted a Moke (the bright blue one: be still my heart!) and knew we needed to know more. Husband and wife team Tommy and Crystal Horton started their business in 2020 after realizing they rarely saw each other with their former demanding and opposite job schedules. “I also started missing out on major moments in my kids’ lives,” said Crystal. “We have five children, so I knew it was time to create a new career to be able to spend more time with them. Tommy and I have always had a passion for people and adventure, so this has been a perfect fit for us. We love what we do, and even more that we can be together as a family as we grow the business.”
“We have some tours that are in the works for those who prefer to be guided instead of venturing out on their own. We also just launched wedding services with our white and mint color MOKES and brides are already falling in love with this classy addition,” Crystal said. “MOKE are perfect for bridal party photos and the couple’s grand exit. As far as the future goes, we will continue to bring more unique vehicle options to North Florida for everyone to experience.”
You know you want to drive one! What better way to see the sights, cruising in style in a Moke or Slingshot from Seaside Adventures. Visit their website, follow along with them on Instagram and Facebook, and tell them congratulations for winning the TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Award!
The pink Slingshot in the featured photo at the beginning of our article is courtesy of Jerian @jerianflows.
