FEW METHODS OF transportation inspire such unconfined joy as a beach car. Who wouldn’t grin at the sight of a Mini Moke or Fiat 500 Jolly? Get behind the wheel of a Citroën Mehari and, even more so than with its 2CV siblings, unbridled laughter is destined to follow. While Citroën never thought there would be any call for something so exposed to the elements in the UK – the Mehari was never officially sold here – we can’t help but think they make a brilliant buy. Not only affordable, but easy to run and, of course, great fun to drive.
The brainchild of World War Two fighter pilot turned plastic expert Roland de la Poype, the Mehari was intended to be a rugged utilitarian vehicle. It was launched in May 1968, based on the chassis and running gear from the Citroën Dyane – including its 29bhp 602cc flat-twin engine – with a corrugated ABS plastic body.