Citroen Mehari 1968 - 1988 - Model history

Citroen Mehari

Its main features were:

- an unusual concept of a modest and cheap car that is intended for work and entertainment, and could also transport hay or surfboards well. Its modularity and economy continued the philosophy of the Citroen 2 CV model with the use of then more modern materials.

- The name Mehari is the name for one-humped camels in North Africa and the Sahara Desert, which are good runners, very hardy and suitable for riding. These are modest and hardy animals that can pass everywhere and transfer passengers or goods.

- for this model, its original presentation was arranged. To illustrate its versatility, the cars on display were surrounded by twenty models dressed in the costumes of villagers, firefighters, adventurers and swimmers, matched to the car’s body colors.

Citroen Mehari

Model Citroen The Mehari designed by Roland de la Poype was a very innovative model during that time. The body was made entirely of colored plastic (ABS). This new lightweight plastic material could take any shape when processed and could be in very bright colors. Another feature of Mehari was that it was open above the side of the body, even at the height of the windshield that folded towards the bonnet.

Thanks to the highly elevated chassis and plastic body, the Citroen Mehari was unstoppable on various terrains, especially in the 4 × 4 version launched in 1979, which could climb uphill with a slope of up to 60%. Thus, this model offered customers an unprecedented freedom and adventure. In its nineteen years of production, this model had only two special variants launched in 1983, as the Citroën Méhari Plage in Spain and as the Citroën Méhari Azur in France, Italy and Portugal. It was a blue-and-white painted variant of a car with a door, front grille, canvas roof, the edges of the light groups were blue, while the seats were covered with a terry cloth with blue-and-white stripes. With more than 150.000 units produced between 1968 and 1987, the Citroen Mehari is still a true phenomenon in automotive history.

Citroen Mehari

Model Citroen Mehari was also a star on the movie screen in the 1964 comedy Le gendarme de Saint-Tropez and at world competitions such as the Liège race - Dakar Rally - Liège in 1969, race Paris - Kaboul - Paris in 1970, race Paris - Persépolis - Paris in 1971, as a medical vehicle at the Paris - Even 1980 rally, etc. This car also became a loyal partner of the French army and gendarmerie, because of its light weight and ease of handling, it was suitable for parachuting from transport planes.

Source: Netauto.rs

Mladen

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