Classic cars with history: 45 years of the Citroën Mehari

Few leisure vehicles have left as deep a mark on a whole generation as the Citroën Mehari, an icon of the 60s and 70s that embodied freedom and carefree living. An off-road vehicle that Citroën launched in May 1968 (a historic date closely tied to the Mehari) and that remained in production for 20 years. A vehicle with a plastic body and a windscreen that could fold down over the bonnet which, although it was an off-roader, only got a version with all-wheel drive towards the end of its life.

The Mehari (its name derives from a dromedary used in Africa) was based on the Citroën Dyane 6 and used the 602 cc engine from the Citroën 2CV and the Ami. What drew the most attention to the Mehari was its bodywork, made of ABS for European models (in other countries it was fibreglass), a plastic highly resistant to knocks and light in weight, which made it suitable for camping trips over practically any terrain.

Several versions of the Mehari were available in Europe. Originally conceived as a four-seater, Citroën launched a two-seat version in France in 1970. Although design changes were not very numerous in those years, it also received a new grille and a change in the layout of the headlights, as the Mehari went from having two headlights to four.

The Mehari was not a bestseller, but many were beginning to notice that it was well suited to really intensive use. One of the most interested parties in the Mehari was the French army, which deployed several units to its airborne forces thanks to their manoeuvrability, versatility and simplicity of repair. The famous French gendarmerie also ordered several Mehari during its heyday in the mid-1970s.

From the drum-brake versions of the Mehari, in 1978 front disc brakes were introduced, and two years later it received disc brakes on all four wheels, together with all-wheel drive. The all-wheel-drive units were distinguished by carrying the spare wheel on the bonnet and by being capable of climbing gradients of up to 60 percent. Unfortunately the 4×4 version disappeared in 1983. Citroën renamed the Mehari the Méhari Azur in France. In Spain, the version best remembered is the Mehari Playa.

The Mehari was manufactured in several countries. We remember the units built in Uruguay, which were exported mainly to Argentina, as well as other models built in places as distant as Iran, and the rare examples that reached the USA, with headlights and bumpers different from the European ones to comply with American road regulations.

The Mehari may not have been a spectacular vehicle, nor a milestone among Citroën models, but it is remembered as a faithful representative of other times, when some things (such as cars) were simpler and more fun.

Source | Citroenet, Wikipedia