Mehari 4×4
Of the 1213 cars built, this is No. 3. It first came on the road in Paris, where it was deployed for the press introduction. After this, Citroën made it available to Medecin sans Frontières, for a documentary about their work in Africa. The oldest Mehari 4×4 on the road.
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - right side front view](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL104090-4-1600x1066.jpg)
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - left side rear view](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL104143-4-1600x1066.jpg)
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - right side front view](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205501-8-1600x1066.jpg)
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - right side rear view](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205512-6-1600x1066.jpg)
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - rear license plate](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205442-1600x1066.jpg)
Citroën introduced the Mehari 4×4 in ’79. Unlike the 2cv 4×4 Sahara, it didn’t have 2 engines, but just one at the front, with a special gearbox with selectable 4×4 and reduction. The axle to the rear transfer case ran through the chassis.
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - front bumper license plate](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205300-1-1600x1066.jpg)
![](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205328-1-1600x1066.jpg)
They were available in a 2 or 4 person version and with a few options; a special tow bar, the spare wheel on the hood and 14″ wheels instead of the usual 15″. Both were equipped with all-terrain tires. The sills were raised for more ground clearance. Wild animals were repelled with thick bumpers.
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - interior view](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL104157-1066x1600.jpg)
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - tire closeup](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205381-1066x1600.jpg)
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - rear view closeup](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205448-1-1067x1600.jpg)
No. 3 can be seen in press photos in “La Citroën Mehari de mon père” and in the Citroën booklet “Ici commence l’Aventure” it is prominently shining brotherly in the desert near Hombori in Mali. Alain Jaspard shot “Laurence Medecin de Brousse” around Casamance in Senegal, the trip ended in Dakar. You can watch the video via this link. Later, more Mehari 4x4s made a journey to the same final destination, when deployed during the first Paris-Dakar rally.
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - photo featured in magazine](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL104217-1600x1066.jpg)
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - picture featured in magazine](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/4-2.jpg)
![](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Schermafbeelding-2023-11-20-om-23.32.17-1-1600x1125.png)
The car came back to France, after which it went to Citroën’s regular scrap yard Beke in ’88. This company processed all demo cars and other models that Citroën wanted to get rid of. Many GS Birotors, among others, met their end here. This 4×4 was saved and used on the property until it was purchased by an enthusiast in ’98.
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - picture featured in magazine](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/H-1.jpeg)
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - picture featured in magazine](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/H-2.jpeg)
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - picture featured in magazine](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/H.jpeg)
![](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1889.jpg)
He kept the 4×4 in his shed, looked for some missing parts and offered the car at auction a few years ago. We ended up with the car through a tip from a friend, but the desired price was a bit too high for a car with a beautiful story, but without a registration. Later we were able to do business and, after a lot of effort and patience, obtain a Carte Grise.
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - right side front view](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205501-1-1600x1066.jpg)
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - right side read view](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205512-1-1600x1066.jpg)
In the meantime, we had done as little as possible to the car to keep it as original as possible for a collector. It still has its original tires and license plates from Paris. We did, however, make it at drivable. The specific gearbox was therefore overhauled. We would like to do the rest of the work for you, but only after you have decided exactly how you want it.
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - right headlight closeup](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205296-1600x1066.jpg)
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - tire closeup](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205372-1-1600x1066.jpg)
The car has a number of details, for example in the chassis, that differ from the later 4x4s. That, and its documented history, make it a unique car. As a collector’s item or as a utility vehicle. Perhaps for your trip to Dakar?
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - hood strap detail closeup](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205304-1600x1066.jpg)
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - steering wheel closeup](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205308-1600x1066.jpg)
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - spare tire closeup](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205368-1600x1066.jpg)
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - wheel closeup](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205378-1600x1066.jpg)
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - side view mirror](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205402-1066x1600.jpg)
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - door handle closeup](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205413-1600x1066.jpg)
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - dashboard closeup](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205415-1600x1066.jpg)
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - transmission controls](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205438-1600x1066.jpg)
![](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205462-1600x1066.jpg)
![Mehari 4x4 (1980) For sale - license plate detail closeup](https://2cvgarage.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mehari-4x4-Jaune-Atacama-80-94.000km-AL205530-1600x1066.jpg)