On Might 16 – on the time of the scholar protests in France in 1968 – it was 55 years in the past that Citroën offered its new mannequin on the Deauville golf course: the Mehari. A glance again on the Citroen Mehari.
Designed by Roland de La Poype
The Citroën Mehare – with an open cargo mattress and a roll-up hood – was powered by an air-cooled two-cylinder engine with 21 to 24 kW (28 to 32 hp). The physique was made from ABS plastic (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and designed by Roland de La Poype. Citroën primarily based the Mehari on the platform of the Dyane and initially referred to as the automobile Dyane 6 Mehari.
Virtually twenty years in manufacturing
The Mehari remained in manufacturing for nearly twenty years – from 1968 to 1987 – and Citroën ultimately produced 144,953 Meharis, of which 1,213 have been four-wheel drive Meharis 4×4. This made the Mehari a surprisingly nice success for such a automobile. Citroën primarily produced the Mehari at its manufacturing facility in Vorst, Belgium, however the automobile was additionally constructed at seven different factories in France, Spain and Portugal.
For each terrain and each season
The title Mehari comes from a dromedary species present in North Africa and the Sahara. These animals are recognized for his or her glorious dealing with in tough terrain, for his or her nice perseverance and for his or her low want for foods and drinks. The North African meharis can transport items and other people over lengthy distances by means of tough terrain, which is why their title matches so properly with this versatile Citroën, which might additionally deal with tough terrain and has unprecedented capabilities.
From a distance, the Mehari does not appear all that appropriate for each season. It seems to be extra like a small convertible or a seaside automobile. However due to its roll-up winter hood, it could face up to inclement climate circumstances and can be utilized all 12 months spherical.
Versatile
The Citroën Mehari could be very versatile and will be tailored to nearly any use. A part of the rear flooring will be folded as much as type a backrest for 2 further rear seats. There may be room for 4 folks. Briefly, the automobile can be utilized for every kind of functions.
The Mehari’s physique is made up of simply eleven easy-to-repair panels. The automobile is straightforward to scrub each inside and outside with the backyard hose. The automobile is straightforward to take care of and in addition low cost to restore. Citroën used trendy supplies for that point.
The Mehari is a ravishing childhood reminiscence for a complete era. With its modern bodywork, the Mehari has grow to be a real icon within the automotive world and past through the years.
Three legendary variations
Though the Mehari was in manufacturing for nearly twenty years, solely three particular variations have appeared – two of which have been additionally produced in small numbers. In 1979 Citroën launched the Mehari 4×4, which is provided with four-wheel drive. In an version of only one,213 copies, this model gives freedom that’s just about extraordinary at the moment. In 1983 Citroën launched two particular variations. The primary was the Méhari Plage, in a shiny yellow colour and with a vacation look. This model was solely bought in Spain and Portugal. The opposite particular version was the Mehari Azur, which appeared just for the French, Italian and Portuguese markets in an version of solely 700 models.
Citroen Mehari within the military
The Mehari drew the eye of presidency departments, such because the police and customs, but additionally directors of airports, horse tracks and circuits. And shopkeepers, artisans and people have been attracted by the Citroën Mehari.
Within the French military, de Mehari had an ideal, lengthy profession. The military took as many as 11,457 Meharis from 1972 to 1987. The Mehari 4×4 even offered medical help. Within the 1980 Rally Paris Dakar, medical groups used ten Mehari 4×4s for medical help alongside the route. Lastly, de Mehari additionally had a movie profession, primarily due to the well-known ‘Le gendarme de Saint Tropez’ movies by and with Louis de Funès.
