In 1971 Tito still held Yugoslavia together and the region wasn’t as divided as it is now.

A family from Belgrade bought a holiday home in Pula, in the current Croatia. A brand new Mehari, at that time a completely new A model on the European market, was the obvious choice of a perfect summer/seaside car to go with the new house.

It was ordered at Cimos, the cooperation between Citroën and Tomos Koper in what is now Slovenia. They built a part of the Citroën-range there, and also assembled and imported them. The Mehari arrived from France a few weeks later, with just a battery and headlight bulbs missing. A new Yugoslav battery and bulbs were installed, customs rules at the time said it could now be called a Yugoslav product and bear the name Cimos.

In Pula it was only used during holidays, mostly to visit the local market or drive along the Adriatic coast of Istria. The rest of the time it was stored dry in a garage next to the house. In ’91 civil war broke out and the garage became a kind of prison for this Mehari, with than only 30.000km on the clock. The family was able to keep the house, but didn’t visit it regularly. The Mehari was seldom used and they didn’t know how to get it to Belgrade.

Gradually the situation became less tense and it got used more often. By the owner and, after he deceased, by his children. In the end it was taken home to Belgrade, where a friend of mine was able to acquire it.

Because of the lack of use it’s still in original and very good condition. The body has some cracks and has weathered nicely. The chassis and tubular frame are in perfect condition. The canvas hood is wit hit and can be repaired with some loving care. We’ve given the technique some attention, it drives great and you can really feel it has only done little kilometers. A new set of tyres and wheels were fitted (the original ones are still with it).

A car with a communist and sometimes dark story, but still such a beautiful and bright appearance. I already have a nice Mehari with a good history, otherwise I would have been tempted…

It comes with an EU-title, new APK, fully serviced and a full tank of petrol.