Let’s see, how many beach cars can we name? The Mini Moke, Fiat Jolly, maybe the VW Thing, Meyers Manx… then the weird ones, like the Honda Vamos and today’s special – the Citroën Mehari. Find this beachy project here on craigslist for $10,500, including spare parts. The new owner will need a trailer to retrieve the Mehari from Eugene, Oregon. Just in case you are wondering, here’s an actual Mehari in its native habitat… The French automotive version was conceived by Roland de la Poype – a WWII fighter pilot – as a competitor to the Moke. De la Poype improved on the Moke by designing his invention with higher ground clearance, a plastic body to fend off rust, and a more compliant suspension. His company sold parts to Citroën, so when he approached the automaker with his idea, management was receptive. More than 145,000 Meharis were sold over the production run from 1968 to 1988 – almost three times the number of Mokes that found new homes. Thanks to Tony Primo for another great tip!
The Mehari sits on the same chassis as a Deux Chevaux – Citroën’s A-series car featuring four-wheel independent suspension. The engine is the 2CV6 “big block” 602 cc air-cooled flat twin, producing about 29 hp. The little engine is only responsible for propelling 1100 lbs, so top speed is around 70 mph – if you dare. A four-speed manual gearbox drives the front wheels; braking is via drums all around. The seller notes that the car ran when purchased, but after the installation of electronic ignition and a carburetor rebuild, it will not start. This Mehari is a two-wheel drive version; in 1979, a 4WD option was introduced with four-wheel disc brakes.
As with most plastic-bodied cars, the color is impregnated into the plastic; these body panels are sun-faded, so a new owner might opt for paint or replacement panels. A host of expensive parts is included with the sale: a new windshield, soft top, body parts, shocks, bushings, and so on. The cabin is built for fun off-road, which is where a Mehari belongs. Even the 2WD versions can ramble trails competently, thanks to the long-travel suspension originally built for farmer’s fields.
The good news is, if you’re looking for a Mehari, you’ll find plenty to choose from. Some are customized, but original examples abound. The best Mehari in the world will sell for less than $30k; nice drivers will hover around the high teens. There’s a fair amount of work ahead of a prospective owner here; some negotiation is in order, in my opinion. What do you think?
Yet again, Michelle brings the strange and wonderful!
Meharis seem to be somewhat rare in the U.S.; I can recall seeing maybe a half-dozen over the years. Oddly enough, three of those were in Jerome, Arizona, at least when I drove through there back in the early 1980s.
For such a limited-production vehicle, parts aren’t much of a problem. You can still buy a replacement body shell, and of course 2CV parts are plentiful.
This one is a long way from finished, though. The ask is pretty optimistic, and I would hope the seller is a) in no hurry to part with it or b) amenable to making a substantial discount.
What Ray T said, though I’ve seen a few Mini Mokes but never a Mehari! Another one of those that make people stop and say “What the heck is THAT thing?” and you tell them it’s not a Thing..
I love that line!!! It’s not a Thing!!! Good one Nevadahalfrack!!!
This Mehari is really neat. I’ve always been curious about 2CV models and seeing that this is mechanically related to one is something else. This is great Michelle!!
Looks a lot like the NAMCO Pony car but with a plastic body. Would make a nice project