May 16, 1968, Deauville beach. While Paris burned and students protested in the streets, Citroën quietly unveiled a revolutionary car on the golf course of the Normandy seaside resort that would go on to make history: the Méhari . Eight colorful vehicles parked on the green grass, and no one imagined that this small plastic car would become one of the most iconic icons of French motoring.

When I discovered the story of the Méhari, I immediately understood why it still fascinates today. It's not just a car, it's a revolution on wheels, a plastic utopia born from the brilliant mind of a war hero turned industrial visionary.

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Today, I'm telling you the incredible story of the Citroën Méhari - how a seemingly innocuous beach car revolutionized the automobile, survived 19 years of production, conquered Hollywood, and why 55 years later, it remains absolutely indestructible .

The war hero who revolutionized plastic

To understand the genesis of the Méhari, we must first tell you about its creator. And here, brace yourself, because Roland de la Poype is not just any engineer.

It's 1943, somewhere over the Eastern Front. A 24-year-old French pilot flies combat missions with the Normandie-Niemen Squadron, the legendary unit fighting alongside the Soviets against the Luftwaffe. This pilot is Roland de la Poype, and he's just shot down his 16th enemy aircraft. At 27, he becomes a Companion of the Liberation. You know, the kind of thing you only get for being really, really heroic.

But Roland wasn't the type to be satisfied with his medals. After the war, this visionary launched into the plastics industry. And there, I must admit, the guy really had flair - he created the Dop berlingot , you know, the little shampoo sachet designed by Vasarely that was everywhere in the 60s. Oh, and incidentally, he also founded Marineland in Antibes. Just that.

In 1967, Roland de la Poype had a new obsession: creating a car entirely out of plastic . At the time, it was revolutionary. Plastic in automobiles was virtually nonexistent. But he believed in it wholeheartedly. With his company SEAB and designer Jean-Louis Barrault, he developed a revolutionary body made of ABS - Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, to his friends.

And the great thing about this plastic is that it's mass-tinted . What does that mean? Even if you scratch the bodywork, the color remains the same in depth. Better yet: after an impact, the bodywork returns to its original shape. It's science fiction for the time!

A launch in the midst of a revolution

Now, imagine the scene. It's May 16, 1968. In Paris, there's a riot. CRS officers are charging students, France is paralyzed, and de Gaulle will soon be heading to Baden-Baden to see if the army still supports him. And meanwhile, in Deauville, Citroën is quietly organizing the unveiling of the Méhari on a golf course.

I think the journalists present must have been scratching their heads: "So, are we covering the revolution or the little plastic car?" Obviously, the Méhari goes completely unnoticed . The media have bigger fish to fry than talking about a beach car.

But Citroën had chosen its location well. Deauville is chic, it's seaside—exactly the image they wanted to give to their new model. Eight colorful Méharis parked on the green grass of the golf course, with the parasols of the Côte Fleurie in the background. The message was clear: this car represents the joy of living, escape, freedom.

A proven technical base in a revolutionary setting

Technically, Roland de la Poype didn't reinvent the wheel. The Méhari uses the Dyane chassis and the Ami 6's 602cc twin-cylinder engine. But frankly, it was clever. Why bother developing a new engine when Citroën's works perfectly?

And then, you have to admit that the 2CV's suspension is pure genius. On the beach, on rutted roads, in ruts, this car goes everywhere. 535 kg empty for 400 kg payload, can you imagine? It's almost 50/50!

So yes, with its 29 horsepower, it's no rocket. But honestly, who needs speed when you're riding shirtless on the ledge with the wind in your hair?

The plastic revolution that marked the automobile

Where Roland de la Poype was visionary was that he understood that plastic was the future of the automobile . In 1968, using ABS for a complete body was pure madness. Manufacturers barely used plastic for a few interior elements.

And this choice will prove to be brilliant. Plastic bodywork doesn't rust. It resists salty seaside corrosion . It's easy to repair. And most importantly, it keeps its colors. Do you know why vintage Méharis still have vibrant colors today? Because the paint is in the plastic, not on it.

Besides, I bet you that if you find a Méhari that has spent 40 years in the sun, it will look better than a metal car of the same age. That's the magic of mass-dyed plastic.

Colors with desert names

And let's talk about those colors! Citroën didn't hold back. All the official shades (except the limited edition Azur) bore the names of desert regions : Hopi for red, Montana for green, Kalahari for beige, Tibesti, Kirghiz for orange, Hoggar, Atacama for yellow...

This choice was a direct homage to the Méhari dromedary from which the car takes its name. These desert animals, renowned for their versatility and durability, were exactly the image Citroën wanted to give its car: robust, reliable, capable of tackling anything.

When I see an orange Kyrgyz Méhari parked on a beach, I immediately get the impression that it could cross the Sahara without flinching. And you know what? It probably could.

A totally unexpected commercial success

Citroën didn't expect the Méhari to be such a success at all. It was originally intended as a niche model for holidays and leisure. The result: 144,953 units sold in its 19-year career , with a peak of 13,910 units in 1974.

And the prices were really reasonable: 7,925 francs for the 2-seater version, 8,692 francs for the 4-seater. To give you an idea, a 2CV cost around 6,000 francs at the time. So yes, the Méhari was more expensive, but not prohibitive. And above all, for that price, you had a car that was unique in the world .

Another factor contributing to its success was this image of total freedom. No hardtop, removable doors, a folding windshield... The Méhari was the ultimate anti-bourgeois car. It was the vehicle for those who wanted to live differently.

The French army adopts the plastic revolution

And then, there was an unexpected customer: the French army . Between 1972 and 1987, it ordered 11,457 Méharis! Can you imagine the scene? Generals discovering that a small plastic beach car could advantageously replace their heavy American Jeeps.

The military advantage of the Méhari was obvious: it was light, therefore easy to transport. Quiet with its small engine. Mechanically reliable. And above all, it was puncture-proof thanks to its plastic body . No rust, no permanent dents, and minimal maintenance.

These military Méharis have served everywhere: in Africa, in Guyana, in the French overseas territories... And many have survived and can be found in collections today, recognizable by their characteristic army green paint.

Louis de Funès and cinematic consecration

But what really made the Méhari's fame explode was its appearance in the "Gendarmes" saga with Louis de Funès . Do you remember those cult scenes where Cruchot and his colleagues patrol in their little khaki cars?

These films have been seen by millions of viewers around the world. And for many, the Méhari was first and foremost that: Louis de Funès' car. The association was so strong that Citroën didn't even need to advertise.

In fact, there is an authentic example used in these films on display at the National Automobile Museum in Mulhouse . When I saw it, I got a little shiver. This car has made entire generations laugh!

But international recognition came from elsewhere. In 1973, Elvis Presley used a Méhari in his "Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite" concert , broadcast live by satellite around the world. Elvis and a Hawaiian Méhari, can you imagine the cocktail? That was product placement before its time!

Special versions that make collectors dream

Over the years, Citroën has released several special editions that are now sought after by collectors . The Méhari Azur, white with blue accents, was initially limited to 700 units before being added to the range. Today, it's THE version that everyone is fighting over.

There was also the Beach version, Atacama Yellow, intended exclusively for Spain and Portugal. This one is even rarer. And then there are all these exotic colors that make you want to go on vacation immediately.

The one I'm crazy about is Kirghiz orange. This color encapsulates the whole Méhari spirit: sunny, optimistic, and a little crazy. When you see one on the road, it's impossible not to smile.

The international and sporting adventure

What is less well known is that the Méhari had a remarkable sporting career . It participated in prestigious rallies: Liège-Dakar-Liège in 1969, Paris-Kabul-Paris in 1970, and even the Paris-Dakar in 1980.

Imagine a small plastic beach car crossing the Sahara amidst Range Rovers and other behemoths! It was a David versus Goliath car version. And it performed remarkably well, proving that the reliability of Citroën mechanics was no longer in doubt .

In the United States, Budget Rent-A-Car offered Méharis for rental in Hawaii between 1969 and 1970. These small cars, which lacked seatbelts (because they were classified as trucks), allowed tourists to explore the islands in a completely original style, long before the days of rental Jeep Wranglers.

That was the Méhari spirit: go everywhere, see everything, experience everything , without taking yourself seriously but with a crazy style.

The end of an era and the electric renaissance

In 1987, after 19 years of loyal service, production of the Méhari ended . Safety standards evolved, tastes changed, and Citroën decided to turn the page. It was the end of an era.

But the story doesn't end there. In 2016, Citroën released the e-Méhari, a 100% electric version that pays homage to the original model. Same spirit, same freedom, but with 21st-century technology.

Honestly, when I first saw the e-Méhari, I had tears in my eyes. That silhouette, those colors, that spirit of freedom... It was all there. Roland de la Poype would have been proud to see that his visual dream had survived the decades.

Today, the e-Méhari is no longer produced, but it has proven one thing: the Méhari spirit is timeless . This thirst for escape, this refusal of banality, this joy of automotive life, it never gets old.

The indestructible legacy of a revolutionary car

But let's talk about that heritage. Today, when you see a Méhari, it often looks fresher than a metal car twice as new. That's the magic of mass-dyed plastic . No rust, no discoloration, no visible aging.

And then, its incredible versatility! Beach car in the summer, utility vehicle for craftsmen, military steed for the army, movie star with Louis de Funès... The Méhari did it all, and it did it with style.

When I come across a Méhari on the road, I always have this thought: this is a car that has succeeded in its gamble. To be different, to be free, to be joyful . In an increasingly standardized automotive world, the Méhari remains an electroshock of happiness.

And you know what fascinates me most? This plastic revolution, born from the genius mind of a war hero, continues to inspire manufacturers today. Look at all modern cars with their plastic parts, their colored bumpers, their non-metallic protections... Roland de la Poype was truly a visionary .

The Citroën Méhari was more than a car. It was a philosophy: one of simple joy, accessible adventure, and freedom on four wheels. This little plastic car revolutionized the way we thought about leisure motoring.

From its discreet launch in the midst of the May 1968 revolution to its modern electric descendant, the Méhari has survived the ages without aging. Indestructible by nature, unforgettable by essence .

So the next time you come across a Kirghiz orange or Azur white Méhari on a holiday road, think of Roland de la Poype and his crazy dream of a plastic car. This war hero turned industrial visionary left us much more than a vehicle: he left us an automotive art of living that is unique in the world .