Citroën Méhari

Citroën Méhari

Company type	Vehicle model
Industry	Automotive
Predecessor	Citroën 2CV (chassis and suspension)
Founded	May 1968 (1968-05)
Defunct	1988 (1988)
Headquarters	France , France
Products	Lightweight utility and leisure vehicle

The Citroën Méhari is a lightweight utility and leisure vehicle manufactured by the French company Citroën from 1968 until 1988. Available in front-wheel drive throughout its entire production run (1968–1988) and in a four-wheel drive variant between 1980 and 1983, it is notable for its innovative ABS plastic body panels, removable doors, and a foldable fabric convertible roof.

Weighing approximately , the Méhari utilizes the same chassis and fully independent suspension system found in Citroën's 'A-Series' models. It is powered by a 602 cc flat-twin petrol engine, also employed in the 2CV6, Citroën Dyane, and Citroën Ami. The vehicle incorporates parts such as the Dyane’s headlights and bezels; four-wheel drive versions are easily identified by a spare tire mounted in a recess on the hood.

Taking its name from the fast-moving dromedary camel, the Méhari saw a total production of 144,953 units from its initial launch in France in May 1968 until manufacturing ceased in 1988.

Outside of France, the Méhari and its derivatives were produced under license or independently in various countries. These international models sometimes featured fiberglass bodies instead of ABS plastic and different spare wheel placements on two-wheel drive variants.

Origin

The Méhari was conceived by Count Roland de la Poype, a French World War II flying ace and head of SEAB (Société d'Etudes et d'Applications des Brevets). He was an early advocate for using plastic bodywork rather than fiberglass. After assessing the Mini Moke, de la Poype sought to address its low ground clearance, stiff suspension, and susceptibility to rust.

SEAB, which was already supplying parts to Citroën, developed a prototype before submitting it to the automaker.

In 1978, the Méhari underwent a facelift that included updates to its front end and grille design.

French military

The French Armed Forces acquired 7,064 Méharis, some of which were adapted with 24 V electrical systems to power two-way radios.

Méhari 4x4

Citroën introduced the Méhari 4x4 in 1979, featuring all-wheel drive powered by a single engine—unlike the dual-engine setup found on the Citroën 2CV Sahara 4x4.

This model was characterized by a spare wheel mounted on the bonnet, additional bumpers at both front and rear, flared wheel arches added in 1982, optional larger tires introduced that same year, and tail lights styled similarly to those on the Citroën Acadiane van.

Equipped with a four-speed manual transmission coupled with a three-speed transfer case capable of handling gradients up to 60%, it was one of the rare four-wheel drive vehicles featuring fully independent suspension on all wheels and disc brakes on all axles.

Due to modest sales figures and its price being double that of the standard two-wheel drive Méhari, production of the 4x4 variant ended in 1983.

Limited editions

Two special editions of the Méhari were released:

• Azur: Originally limited to just 700 units, strong market interest led to this model becoming part of the regular lineup. It featured a white exterior with blue doors, grille, and soft top, complemented by blue-and-white striped upholstery.
• Plage: Released concurrently with the Azur for markets in the Iberian Peninsula and manufactured in Mangualde, Portugal. This edition sported a yellow body paired with white wheels.

Irish Defence Forces

During the late 1970s, the Irish Defence Forces procured a total of 12 Méharis. By 1985, the majority had been sold at auction, with only a single vehicle preserved at the Defence Forces Training Centre located in Curragh Camp, County Kildare.

Portugal

Manufacturing took place in Mangualde, where a total of 17,500 units were produced.

Spain

Production occurred in Vigo from the end of 1969 through 1980, resulting in 12,480 vehicles built. Imported Méhari models continued to be available for purchase until 1987.

United Kingdom

The Méhari never received type approval for sale within the UK market. Similarly, the base 2CV model was unavailable for sale in the UK between 1961 and 1974.

United States

Citroën offered the Méhari in the US market during the 1969 and 1970 model years, categorizing it as a truck. This classification allowed sales without mandatory seat belts due to more lenient safety regulations. Rental company Budget Rent-A-Car included Méharis in their Hawaiian fleet, and Hearst Castle utilized them as vehicles for grounds maintenance. The Méhari gained notable exposure when Elvis Presley featured one during his 1973 television special Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite.

Adjustments made for the US market encompassed:

• Installation of larger, 7-inch sealed-beam headlights
• Addition of side marker lights
• Rear boot lid designed to fit US license plates with illumination
• Straight rear bumper design
• Two-speed windshield wiper motor
• Incorporation of reversing lights
• Hexagonal yellow "cats eye" reflectors positioned on front and rear sides

Argentina and Uruguay

From 1971 until 1980, Citroën Argentina SA manufactured the Méhari locally, producing 3,997 units before Citroën withdrew from Argentina amid the country’s late-1970s economic downturn.

In 1984, Industrias Eduardo Sal-Lari (IES) reintroduced the vehicle under the names Safari or Gringa, continuing production through 1986. These models largely retained original specifications but featured widened wheel arches and larger tires. To optimize luggage capacity, the spare tire was relocated atop the hood. Unlike French versions, these Argentine Méharis were exclusively front-wheel drive.

Built on the "3CV" (Citroën Ami) platform with its mechanical components, these vehicles employed drum brakes rather than disc brakes. Due to manufacturing limitations, their fiberglass bodies differed from French ABS plastic panels; body shells were fabricated in Uruguay by Dasur while chassis were shipped from Argentina for final assembly by Nordex.

Initially launched solely in red, a limited batch of blue units was produced specifically for Tucumán’s police force. The introduction of the Méhari II in 1978 brought wider rims and an orange paint option.

In Uruguay, Nordex produced a licensed variant featuring fiberglass bodywork instead of ABS plastic due to lack of suitable processing technology. This Uruguayan model included enlarged rear wheel arches and an optional removable hardtop. Approximately 14,000 units were manufactured—5,000 remained domestically while around 9,000 were exported to Argentina under the CAUCE trade agreement. Some Uruguayan-built Méharis sold in Argentina carried the nickname Naranja Mecánica ("Clockwork Orange").

Baby Brousse & FAF

Citroën developed steel-bodied versions of its A-Series vehicles resembling the metal-bodied Méhari across various countries; examples include the Baby Brousse and Citroën FAF models.

The FAF Yagán was created in Chile following an initiative by Salvador Allende in 1971 and produced between 1972 and 1974. Drawing inspiration from the French Méhari, initial plans to import Uruguayan Méhari body panels were abandoned due to cost concerns. Instead, the Yagán was handcrafted without using dies or molds, with roughly 1,500 units assembled at Arica’s factory—which also produced models such as the Ami 8 and 2CV. The vehicle utilized a Citroën 2CV chassis rather than that of the Méhari and achieved approximately half its components sourced locally within Chile. Despite these efforts, it failed commercially because of its relatively high price compared to more advanced alternatives and lack of adoption by Chilean military forces.

Post-production and Replicas

Following the end of Méhari manufacturing in 1988, with no direct replacement introduced, a void emerged in the market that various manufacturers aimed to occupy.

VanClee

The Belgian firm VanClee crafted fiberglass kit cars named Emmet and Mungo, which utilized Citroën A-series chassis and components, clearly drawing inspiration from the Méhari design.

Fiberfab Sherpa

Due to the ABS body of the Méhari being combustible at 400°C, it did not receive type approval in Germany. In response, German fiberglass kit car maker Fiberfab developed the Sherpa in 1975, built on Citroën platforms, and managed to produce approximately 250 units.

Teilhol

The company Teilhol, known for its earlier production of the now-defunct Renault Rodeo, designed the Tangara model using 2CV mechanical parts combined with bolt-on pre-colored GRP panels. Additionally, Teilhol created a model based on the Citroën AX. The company ceased operations in 1990.

Chassis Restorations

Thanks to the Méhari’s straightforward mechanical design, restoring these vehicles to pristine condition is achievable. All components, including chassis parts, remain accessible, supporting a vibrant restoration industry.

Cassis Electric Méhari

Located in the South of France, Méhari Club Cassis has long specialized in rebuilding Méharis and since 2019 offers brand-new models equipped with electric drivetrains. These vehicles are exempt from French new car regulations due to their vintage 1968 design, provided they are not operated on highways (classified as voitures sans permis).

Factory Electric Méhari

In 2016, Citroën introduced the electric Citroën E-Méhari, expanding its lineup with a modern electric convertible model.

Colours

The Méhari’s ABS body panels were produced with integrated coloration, offering only a limited palette. Throughout its production run, Vert Montana was consistently available. Apart from the special edition Azur, all official colour names reference desert regions.

Original ABS bodies frequently faded over time due to ultraviolet light exposure, but replacement bodies matching original colours are obtainable for restoration purposes.

Colour		Years
	Rouge Hopi	1968–1975
	Vert Montana	1968–1987
	Beige Kalahari	1968–1977
	Orange Kirghiz	1969–1987
	Vert Tibesti	1976–1979
	Beige Hoggar	1978–1987
	Jaune Atacama	1980–1987
	Azur	1983–1987

Sales figures

Year	1968	1969	1970	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	Total
Méhari	837	12,624	11,246	10,175	11,742	12,567	13,910	8,920	9,569	9,645	8,467	8,995	8,351	4,833	4,137	3,349	2,654	1,882	669	381	144,953

Criminal activity

• During the years 1973 and 1974, a total of 63 Citroën Méhari vehicles were intentionally set ablaze in Paris by an arsonist whose motives remain unknown.
• In 1985, the Neapolitan journalist Giancarlo Siani was killed by assassins linked to the Camorra while driving his green Méhari fitted with a black canvas roof. In late 2013, Siani’s Méhari was part of a commemorative journey from Naples to Brussels, passing through Rome, to pay tribute to journalists who lost their lives due to organized crime.

See also

• Mini Moke
• Volkswagen Type 181
• Fiat Ghia Jolly
• Renault Rodeo
• Meyers Manx

External links

• Méhari at Citroenet
• Méhari links at Citroën World
• Restored Mehari in France
• Méhari modelcars
• IMCDB.org
• Website mehari-expo Belgium