Citroën Scarabée d'Or, a reconstruction worthy of honouring the centenary of the chevron brand

With three other units, the Scarabée d’Or crossed the Sahara Desert in 21 days. More than 3,200 kilometres were covered, and it now pays tribute to the brand on its centenary.

It is called Scarabée d’Or or Golden Beetle, and Citroën has just brought it back to life. The first vehicle in history to complete the Sahara crossing in 1922 has been rebuilt. The replica has been presented at the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris.

The Citroën half-track has been reproduced identically to the original by a group of students. This historic vehicle will take part in the celebrations of the chevron brand’s centenary, which will be held next June.

The French brand has supported this educational project. Citroën lent the B2 Type HP model K1, which was the first to cross the Sahara in the winter of 1922. In addition, the chevron brand has also provided financial, logistical and technical support.

Scarabée d’Or, a jewel of the chevron brand

The aim of restoring this automotive jewel is to display it at the celebrations of the Citroën centenary taking place this same year. The coveted Citroën Golden Beetle will be on display at the anniversary exhibition of the centenary in mid-June, at the Croisière vers l’Ouest held on the Champs-Élysées during the month of July.

In addition, the Meeting of the Century will also count on its presence at the end of July. Linda Jackson, Citroën’s chief executive, has stated that “in this year of the Citroën centenary, the reconstruction of the Scarabée d’Or takes on a very special dimension. It is a project of the kind André Citroën loved”.

“We are proud to have supported and taken part in this new adventure, an educational project that presents a perfect replica of the original half-track. A hundred years separate those who developed these two vehicles, but they are united by the same passion,” Jackson added.

Scarabée d’Or, a centenary reconstruction

The reconstruction of the Citroën Golden Beetle began in June 2016. After its presentation at Rétromobile in February 2017, it was exhibited at the Musée des Arts et Métiers.

During the presentation, anecdotes from the project’s execution were shared. 160 students and 40 teachers were involved. “In this regard, the team formed by André Citroën around 10 men and a female dog, Flossie… who inspired Hergé to create the character of Milou, who would accompany Tintin on his adventures, was also remembered,” Citroën concluded.

It should be noted that the expedition that crossed the Sahara, in which André Citroën himself took part, was made up of four units of this Golden Beetle. They covered the Sahara Desert between Touggourt and Timbuktu in 21 days.

More than 3,200 kilometres were covered between 21 December 1922 and 7 January 1923. “With this expedition the French brand demonstrated an exploratory spirit that would later be reflected in new expeditions, the famous Croisière Noire in Africa and the Croisière Jaune that linked Beirut and Peking.”