Vintage Thing No.110 - Siva Mule

Could this be the last surviving Siva Mule? (Photo : Johnathan Twyneham)

Before the Hillman Imp-based Siva Llama was the even rarer Mini-based Siva Mule. This particular one is a survivor that belonged, about 12 years ago to a young chap called Jonathan Twyneham. I've lost touch with him but would really like to know if this car made it back on to the road. I remember he was having lots of problems getting the thing to go but as it's Mini-based that shouldn't prove a problem. It's the rare Siva Mule bits that are important and this car looks largely complete - except for the headlights.

Headlights are a sore point for me. My Llama has rectangular Mk1 Escort units fitted to the outside of the bodywork, not neatly flush fitted as in the photos. Even with this lash up, the bulbs are wedged up against the inner wing. It's obvious that the Llama was designed to have much shallower headlamp units and when I come to do my body off restoration of my Llama I would like to fit the right lamps. It's just that I don't know what they are. Saab 96 is the latest suggestion.

Anyway, it looks like Johnathan's Mule was in more pressing need of headlamps so maybe he's solved the problem already...

The Siva Mule was introduced in 1970 and only a dozen were made until production ended in 1975. I strongly suspect that the chassis is the same as the contemporary Siva Minibuggy or Moon Bug. Both designs came from the prolific drawing board Neville Trickett who still produces Minisprint conversions from his base in France.

I think that's Neville Trickett himself in the driving seat. Photo : Hot Car

Like the Minibuggy, the Mule used 13" wheels, which needed modified rear suspension arms to clear the tyres but did wonders for off road performance as many Aussie Moke drivers discovered.

In looks, the Mule resembled the Llama but had a shorter, steeper bonnet with a pronounced bonnet bulge. I don't think any panels were interchangeable although there is a vestigial bulge to the bonnet on the Llama.

Anyway the Mule came first and, although cheap and cheerful at £195 for the kit, paved the way for the Llama that was supposed to be world car for the developing countries.

In retrospect, I can't help wondering why Neville Trickett and Mike Saunders of Siva Engineering didn't persevere with the Mule. The Llama was scuppered when Chrysler pulled out of producing the donor Hillman Imp but the Mini went on for nearly another 30 years. The accepted production total is a dozen, which makes it rarer than a Llama but probably easier to restore and keep running.