The 1968th anniversary of the Mehari model, introduced by Citroen at the Deauville golf course in 55, is being celebrated. Working to offer transportation that touches all areas of the mobility world and is accessible to everyone, Citroen introduced its new vehicle 55 years ago, in 1968, at the Deauville golf course: Mehari. Designed by Roland de La Poype, the Mehari had a plastic body. This extraordinary pick-up car, which produces between 28 and 32 HP, was built on the Dyane 6 platform. That's why it was produced between 6 and 1968, after being presented as the Dyane 1987 Mehari when it was launched. For nearly 20 years, 213 samples, of which 4 were 4×144 Mehari, were off the tapes. The Citroen Mehari was a great success, with most of it being produced at the Citroen factory in Forest, Belgium, as well as seven other factories in France, Spain and Portugal.
The name Mehari comes from the male verb conjugation of dromedary camels of North Africa and the Sahara. These animals are known for their off-road abilities, endurance and being docile. Mehari can transport both goods and passengers over long distances. The name therefore very well represented the Citroen Mehari model, known for its adaptability to all terrains, as a very versatile and versatile vehicle.
All terrain vehicle
Mehari was a highly modular vehicle. Part of the floor could turn into a backrest. This added two seats to the back. This allowed a capacity of four passengers. It could serve different purposes, carry different types of cargo, and could also be used for passenger transport. The body of the car consisted of 11 easily repaired parts. Apart from that, it could be easily cleaned by spraying water both inside and outside. This made the maintenance of the car easy and economical for customers. This extraordinary, modular and economical concept, which is a true childhood memory for an entire generation, was designed for that period with modern materials and an innovative body. Over the years he has become a true automotive icon.
Sold only in 3 versions
Mehari remained in production for about 20 years. During this time it only had three different versions, two of which were limited edition specials. Citroen was sold in 1979 in a 4×4 version that offers almost unparalleled freedom even today. In 1983, two special versions were introduced to the market. Méhari Plage was an ostentatious model, evoking the holiday with its yellow color sold in Spain and Portugal. In April 1983, the Méhari Azur was launched in the French, Italian and Portuguese markets, limited to just 700 units.
He made a career in different fields
Mehari; Apart from public use such as police, customs, airports, hippodromes and similar, it was also a very attractive solution for tradesmen, craftsmen and individual users. He had the opportunity to have a long career in the French army, which ordered a total of 1972 Meharis between 1987 and 11. Mehari 457×4, on the other hand, made a career in medical aid in different geographies of the world. He also participated in the Paris-Dakar Rally in 4. Ten 1980×10 Meharis were leased to the organization to provide medical assistance along the route. Apart from this, Mehari also made an unforgettable career in the field of cinema, especially with the famous film The Chief of Police of Saint Tropez, in which he played with Louis de Funès.