Useless fact #453 I have slept in the bedroom where the inventor of the Mehari was born. He was also a a WW2 war hero pilot. The hotel is a Dutch owned château near Issoire.
Plot twist: @@davidmatthews3093 has also slept in the room where Jonny Smith was born, the room where Jaun Fangio was born and the room where Richard Hammond was born. I think it’s gone far enough! This must cease immediately.
In the modern world, two things please me about this: a) there are still people eccentric enough to build these and b) there are still people eccentric enough to buy them. OTSOT.
Two things disappoint me in the modern world about this. 1) not enough people build solid, basic simple cars, and 2) not enough people want solid, basic, simple cars
@@JC-he7yk yep. I'd love a super basic citroen ami style car that could do maybe 50mph, just for minimal A- road usage. No mod cons at all, just the bare minimum to allow it to be sold. Perfect commuting/town hack I need to look at a Dacia Spring
So nice to see the 'over the top' body roll still exists. The mother of my school friend had an original 2CV and she would get us to and from school for lunch in it. In the 80's in the French Somme, near the town of Albert. Brillant times. Greetings from the Netherlands
Same for the channel islands 🇬🇧 solar roof and roll up canvas sides.. 2 CV suspension go most places lift it out of holes 💪🏼 😂🧙🏻♂️😉 Be great if they replaced the GRP with Basalt fiber or Hemp fiber with epoxy made from sugar cane waste like some of the top boat makers are working with. Both tougher and really green 💚 to produce compared to GRP and eventually cheaper.
It will last as long as it takes for the motor or batteries to die, when replacing either is not financially viable. Most, if not all, electric cars have astronomical depreciation and insurance costs are going through the roof, that is if you can get insurance, due to the propensity of electric cars to suddenly burst into flames.
How bizarre, we’ve just spent a week in the south of France admiring/laughing at the many derivations of this type of car, and now in the Alps, one of the Gendarmes films is on the telly.
Sweet summer and beach memories of my little green 74 Mehari. When you removed the soft top, doors, and tailgate and put down the windshield, it was actually quite fast
I've always preferred the Mehari to the VW Thing. As an EV holiday vehicle for the well-heeled or hotels, I think it makes sense, as long as the sun shines! You've got to smile when you drive one 😊
I like the blue, i remember them in orange, my dad had one as a rental in Majorca 1978 for a few days when i was 10 years old. I loved it , he hated it!
If I became an ultra zillionaire, this would be the car I would use to swan around my estate, looking like a cross between Ray Winstone in Sexy Beast and a beatnik.
My friend who was in the Foreign Legion said that on manoeuvres in germany with American troops, they were really impressed with the Mehari. They thought it was meant to be parachuted into a combat zone then abandoned when the mission was over.
In a day when you could hire these and 2cv in Europe. I absolutely loved all of them. My boss had an ami 8 and drove from uk to Greece every year despite owning some very posh cars. It was his mode to go that far.
I love this car. If I lived in the French or Italian Riviera, I'd 100% have something like this for puttering around the coastal roads. If they sold them in the US, I might get one for doing the same in South Florida where I live.
I learned to drive in the Mehari who belong to my late grandfather. He was a proper Citroen fan but only had old cars. DS, 2CV and and old Ami and the Mehari. He teach me everything and I inheared the love of old cars. Just different brand - VW 😊
It’s like most electric vintage vehicles, or weird things like the Citroen Ami or Renault twizzy - it’s either a little plaything you get on finance because it’s cool, or you have enough money for it to not matter that you buy a little expensive toy. Just matters that it’s French they’re the only people who seem to keep doing it 🤣
I'm a big fan of the 2CV. I don't recall seeing the Mahari in the flesh but I have seen plenty of videos and articles. Not ideal for the UK as a daily driver but my word they look like fun and ooze character. Would I consider a car without doors? Yes, I rode motor bikes for decades but it would have to be affordable and I'd have to liver near to the cost. Many thanks for sharing.
Hi Jonny. Looks a lot like a mini moke. My dad always wanted a moke, and I always wanted to buy him one but it never happened. Great video, and great production too. Cheers, ya droopy tail pipe 🍻
I was watching Jonny’s other channel, The loose gate show, where Jonny explores French farms hunting out loose gates to fix. However it wasn’t to my taste so instead enjoying this episode of The Late Brake Show.
While at it, give The Goose Late show a watch too where Johnny tries to deliver geese on time but fails miserably because all the gates are worked on by farmer men not letting him go through until the gate is all sorted out
Here in the US the Moke starts at $23k, although by the time you add things like roof and battery (yep, that's extra!), you're going to be closer to $28k or even $30k. Still, that's quite a lot cheaper than the Cassis Eden, although obviously the Eden will not be sold in the US market.
I have always fancied a Mehari Jonny....albeit with a proper engine! Apparently the Dutch managed to cram GS 4 cylinder engines into 2CV's....or the BMW boxer (motorbike engine), which we have all seen a road test on YT. Having the headlights on in the sunshine, sounds a bit daft....probably half the usable range! The matching watch is a bit kitsch😎
Our family had a Mehari when I was a kid in the 80s. My dad was a film maker and liked this car for filming because the windscreen could be folded down and the suspension was smooth.
These found their way into quite a few countries in Francophone Africa. There's still a number of them running around in Madagascar. As many of the taxis there are 2 CVs, spares are readily available.
I love this little car, if i lived somewhere mostly hot and had enough spare change in my pocket, i would own one. It might not suit my life and financial circumstances, but who cares, its great this sort of thing is still available on the market
Brings me back to driving a rented Mini Moke on holidays in Cyprus 30 years ago, a super experience. And a world away from modern one size fits all porky cars, full of safety kit and circuitry.
The wife and I are seriously thinking about spending our old days in Sardinia. We went on Holliday there last year and saw 3 Mehari’s. 2 where’re actually parked on opposite sides of the same street at the same time (Got the pictures to prove it). Now I have found the car that fits our plans. Afraid to ask for the price though.
Club Tropicana yes! I had to check just now that Lewis Capaldi's "Forget Me" video homage to Club Tropicana also uses the Mehari too! He went all-in with that vid, white Y-fronts sunbathing and all. Instant fan of his sense of humour.
There were a couple of immaculate petrol examples owned by locals where I was staying in Mallorca. There and then I decided that if I actually lived there, or somewhere with a similar climate, I would definitely own one. They are just fantastic motorised gazebos, regardless of how they are fueled!
The Gendarmes in the south of France or in the sunny places like the West Indies used to use them as patrol vehicles. They were around till the mid 80’s
well the twizy was sold without doors so yes there is a market for it. being a sevco controller and motor, I bet a Twizy powerbox could be connected to fully unlock the RAW power. lol Twizyś with the powerbox are a riot to drive.
Love the Mehari, loathe the "music". I get that these things are a small run offer, but I wish that a big company would do something like this and get the costs down. I live in.a part of the world (Sppain) where something like this would be fine for day-to-day driving, but at €35K I simply can't justify it as an only car.
Back when I was very young, maybe 5 or so, we went to Nice and they had a Mehari in a shop or a showroom and I completely broke down in tears asking my mom to buy one ...
I don't know. There are entire shops that just sell garden furniture. That makes little sense in the UK too but we still buy it! You could only get it out when the sun shines
Always loved the Mehari. My parents used to take us to the south of France for a month every summer, and these were commonplace. Very popular with small business owners etc, normal to see them stacked with trays of fruit and veg or whatever. They came in fantastic bright colours too. While I'm not a fan of EVs I can see this making perfect sense as a local runabout in Mediterranean countries today. I might worry about crash protection though!
Love it. I live on a luxury yacht in Daventry and this would be perfect for my wife Felicity to buzz along from the galley to the poop deck to serve me my breakfast veal. I may buy five.
Another great video,thanks Jonny. Must be a nice relaxing life style once you have one of these. Nice to see you with a colour coordinated watch strap…taking the job seriously 😂
We have two members with Meharis in their name!! And by the way, radial tyres were developed by Michelin for the Citroen Ami 6. This was twice the size of the 2CV!!
Funny.. The wive of my doctor (herself also a doctor) drove one daily also for visits to patients. The thing was ALWAYS parked outside and looked unloved..in green it blended in with the surroundings. NOT in a sunny dry country but in the Netherlands below see level. Otherwise she was a real lady…that contrasted awesome.
Starting to see a few of these around us here in Provence down in the South of France. They look fun but can really hold up the traffic in summer 😂😂😂 They are certainly selling well albeit production is small.
The driving experience is much better without roof. When stopped at a red light you can't see the green without yoga. I put the roof in long term storage. It makes sense to have it electric, just the typical 2CV noise...
Really reminds me of a Volkswagen Thing, like the one Patty & Selma drive (simpsons). Love weird stuff like this! Also, I can’t hear the word “tubular” anymore without visualising Ribbons from the not great Doctor Who episode “It takes you away”.
We went on a family holiday to Ibiza in 1987 when I was 7 (before it was the clubbing capital of the med!) and Meharis were everywhere! Most of them were owned by rental agencies as I remember, not privately owned, so I wonder if these will be the same? Someone could defo make a killing renting these out in Ibiza or Majorca.
Oh how I remember bombing about in Ibiza as a younger hedonistic guy in the 70's in the orange version of the Mehari. Enough said, you either get them (and all the other 2CV derivatives) or you dont. Cheers DougT
Sorry, but I’m already driving a small electric car - the Renault Zoe. Although I very much like the Mehari, I find that I can do more miles in the Zoe than in any petrol model.
It wasn't Citroen that conceived it, it was designed and the prototype built by one of Citroen's supplier Roland de Poype a WWII fighter ace who headed Société d'Etudes et d'Applications des Brevets. He decided to use a plastic for the body panels instead of fibreglass, BTW, you don't pronounce the H in Méhari it is pronounced Méari. Méhari is a breed of dromedary racing camel. Although the electric version is recent they have been remanufacturing the Mehari and parts for decades. The restricted speed only applies to the electric version". The petrol version can be driven all year round and has heating into the passenger compartment. I have an original 1983 4 seater and that can keep up with normal traffic (70-80 kph)
Very nice. I have seen many when I was a young boy. But at €8k, the new plastic Ami makes more sense to me. Still, lovely car, fantastic that they bought so much original stuff from Citroën.
I had one in the UK with full weather gear, with the 602 petrol engine it would lollop along at an easy 65mph. With all the top up it was more or less waterproof but it was like driving a tent.. Bet they will still sell you a petrol one if you asked, Makes way more sense.
At 10:17, I have decided I file this cute little run about putt putt. It’s whimsical and entertaining. It looks like a real car verses the electric moke which looks and feels a little too much like a golf cart.
Well, it won’t rust, but (if i’m right) the original one couldn’t be registered (at least in Germany) bc it was highly inflammatory. OK, at least there are no doors and a roof that will hinder you from escaping 🤪
These have always been on my bucket list. As values of 2CVs have now climbed to the point where its out of my range as a second 'fun' car. And this is the same. Also, probably needs a single speed gear set fitting into the transaxle and 50kW. Good efforts to Cassis Eden and the authenticity of the build. One day, I will own a car with inboard brakes!
Larger motor (for sustained dual carriage ability) and 4 speed box (to facilitate towing a canoe/dinghy trailer or lugging heavy scuba gear?) with canvas door package?, ....YUP! As someone who loves motorcycles and used to ride year round, I've no problems with the exposed nature of this little bundle of joy! A RHD version for Australia, Africa, and Japan as well as Thailand and of course, the UK, would boost sales too! I wonder if they can source a solar powered trickle charger, to replace the canvas roof?
Here in the United States, every beach side area would be able to rent those out so well. Right now they use gas golf carts… these are ridiculously cool Just sell them as kit cars and send them in crates . The car is so easily put together. have a dealer set up for connecting the electronics
Car without doors (or roof in my case) I built a Lomax 3 wheeler kit car based on a 2CV in 1991 and used it every day to go 30 miles round trip to work. 22:28
Watching this in Alicante airport waiting for a flight where I’ve spent a week Mehari spotting with my girlfriends dad, he’ll be happy when I tell him about this
About a couple years ago my local car dealer started selling the new version of the Mini Moke, I was excited to be able to by a cheap fun second car for the summers until I noticed the price. 28 k for the most basic mechanical car you can find, absolutely bonkers.
Thanks Mate for this video !! I Love So Much that you are into popular, "run of the mill" French Cars !! Your Eclecticism & your Deminor is so Melow, Enjoyable & Fun to watch...it's like Chilling with Jonny at home, but without a "H" lol... ok I ll stop being French. Thank You Guys "Brits ;)"... oops again, for your Enormous Contribution in the Car Motorworld 🙏🙏🙏! I Can't Wait for your next video, you are a Breath of Fresh Air in the Pompous TH-camr World Mate !!! Now I feel like having Fish & Chips somehow, maybe I'll wash it down w/ a little White Wine, you can keep the vinegar... and your Mint Jelly Mint too... poor Lamb ;) ! PS: Sorry for "Childish Charles ", We Miss the Classy Poised w/ her "shit" together Queen too Believe Me, Pardon my Cheeky Frenchness !! We ll send you a Guillotine if you need to... just kidding of course ! Keep at It Mate ! ❤🚙 Always did, Always Will, it's in the Blood I Guess, Expensive Obsession, Cheers Jonny without "H"👍 !!! Johnny.P
I'm completely with you jonny. Totally impractical, especially in the UK environment, and if no interest to me personally. But, I'm very glad that it exists. It occupies a very small niche, but does so perfectly.
Upcyling and reemploying tooling is such a fantastic business model. Who knows maybe they'll develop their own body styled concept. Perhaps something rain proof and aerodynamic! Stellantis/Citroën better wise up!
the original Meháris are collectors cars, sold at a considerable premium. Depreciation on this one, likewise, will probably be rather low. Cars are expensive when they depreciate, not because the purchase price is steep.
I like the concept of the malhari. Going electric suits this utilitarian platform perfectly. .. Does sound like it needs a wee bit more oomph. .. 37000 is alot, but agree being totally french (keeping it original) just helps validate this upgrade.. .. My only concern would be that plastic bodyshell. Is that ABS outer bodyshell UV resistant? .. I could see that plastic body degrade or even crack over time, especially in hot climates... .... I did get London underground vibes from that drivetrain noise🙂 Yes i would drive a doorless vehicle in the UK but only in the summer.
An original late build Mehari had about 29 bhp (21.6 Kw) on tap with it's four speed gearbox, they weren't quick, but like all 2cv derivatives if you were willing to row them up and down through those four gears and keep the engine revving freely they were very able if properly serviced. Even working on the assumption this 15 Kw e-motor has more torque it does seem a big ask to saddle it with just two gears. A fairer option would be a 22 Kw e-motor and this limited box, or the original four speed unit as is standard. 80 Km/h isn't a bad top speed, but to be able to maintain it fully laden up a decent straight incline would be something most would like. I have nothing against restricted vehicles so long as it isn't bought about at the detriment of practicality. I am of the generation that had to put up with 50 cc motorcycles being restricted to 50 Km/h by the use of a washer in the exhaust to wreck the exhaust pressure and they were horrible; a proper electronic control governing the speed is so much safer for everyone. With it being air cooled it does have nearly the right sound to it.
![[DRIP] ‘Love, Maybe’ PREVIEW](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/U7hwHp95m1k/mqdefault.jpg)
Useless fact #453 I have slept in the bedroom where the inventor of the Mehari was born. He was also a a WW2 war hero pilot. The hotel is a Dutch owned château near Issoire.
Plot twist: @@davidmatthews3093 has also slept in the room where Jonny Smith was born, the room where Jaun Fangio was born and the room where Richard Hammond was born. I think it’s gone far enough! This must cease immediately.
In the modern world, two things please me about this: a) there are still people eccentric enough to build these and b) there are still people eccentric enough to buy them. OTSOT.
Right on!
Two things disappoint me in the modern world about this. 1) not enough people build solid, basic simple cars, and 2) not enough people want solid, basic, simple cars
They are not eccentric.
@@JC-he7yk yep. I'd love a super basic citroen ami style car that could do maybe 50mph, just for minimal A- road usage. No mod cons at all, just the bare minimum to allow it to be sold. Perfect commuting/town hack
I need to look at a Dacia Spring
Yes, but for that price I would rather buy a full size double cab 4x4 pick-up with leather seats and air-con.
So nice to see the 'over the top' body roll still exists.
The mother of my school friend had an original 2CV and she would get us to and from school for lunch in it. In the 80's in the French Somme, near the town of Albert.
Brillant times.
Greetings from the Netherlands
Perfect for the wee islands like Bermuda with a speed limit of 30 or 40mph.
Not in the rain! Or after a heavy downpour. Bermuda's official speed limit is 35km/h (21mph). Unofficially, 50km/h (31mph).
Same for the channel islands 🇬🇧 solar roof and roll up canvas sides.. 2 CV suspension go most places lift it out of holes 💪🏼 😂🧙🏻♂️😉
Be great if they replaced the GRP with Basalt fiber or Hemp fiber with epoxy made from sugar cane waste like some of the top boat makers are working with. Both tougher and really green 💚 to produce compared to GRP and eventually cheaper.
1:08 instantly shows the classic roll & pitch of the 2CV but even more pronounced due to weight up front in the engine bay... 🌊🥴🤢🤮
What a neat little thing. That first rolling shot leaves no doubts as to its 2CV origins. 😁
What a hoot. With a galvanised chassis and plastic body it should last a very long time making the most of your investment.
I hadn't thought of that. In theory it'll last flipping yonks.
At a price like that it would have to last forever !
It will last as long as it takes for the motor or batteries to die, when replacing either is not financially viable. Most, if not all, electric cars have astronomical depreciation and insurance costs are going through the roof, that is if you can get insurance, due to the propensity of electric cars to suddenly burst into flames.
@@calibrazxr750in Colorado you can get a Nissan Leaf for $20 a month a 2024 500 down
@@calibrazxr750🥱🥱🥱 when will the fossil fuel lobby start making up new stories, I'm getting tired of this one.
French perfection!!!! French madness!! Nice one Jonny!!
Wow, I’d love to get this and act like I’m in one of the “Gendarmes” movies with Louis de Funes!! 😂
@@yanboa Or with Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau?
How bizarre, we’ve just spent a week in the south of France admiring/laughing at the many derivations of this type of car, and now in the Alps, one of the Gendarmes films is on the telly.
There are plenty of these still used as daily drivers here in Mallorca. Not cheap either , 10k€
Sweet summer and beach memories of my little green 74 Mehari. When you removed the soft top, doors, and tailgate and put down the windshield, it was actually quite fast
I've always preferred the Mehari to the VW Thing. As an EV holiday vehicle for the well-heeled or hotels, I think it makes sense, as long as the sun shines! You've got to smile when you drive one 😊
I like the blue, i remember them in orange, my dad had one as a rental in Majorca 1978 for a few days when i was 10 years old. I loved it , he hated it!
If I became an ultra zillionaire, this would be the car I would use to swan around my estate, looking like a cross between Ray Winstone in Sexy Beast and a beatnik.
My friend who was in the Foreign Legion said that on manoeuvres in germany with American troops, they were really impressed with the Mehari. They thought it was meant to be parachuted into a combat zone then abandoned when the mission was over.
My nan❤ used one in the garden. The lawn survived my, 8-year old, driving skills.😊
In the garden? What, as an ornament or mower tower?
@@TheLateBrakeShow
To haul clibbins and stuff. ;)
Pretty big garden BTW
had one whilst living in france, I also had a knackered old 2CV which was brilliant for off road :)
Wow… 40 years later… the legend lives on … fab review big time
In a day when you could hire these and 2cv in Europe. I absolutely loved all of them. My boss had an ami 8 and drove from uk to Greece every year despite owning some very posh cars. It was his mode to go that far.
Safer is very much a relative concept here but I support anything that has an essence of 2CV about it.
I love this car. If I lived in the French or Italian Riviera, I'd 100% have something like this for puttering around the coastal roads. If they sold them in the US, I might get one for doing the same in South Florida where I live.
Hired one decades ago in Majorca, loved it.
I learned to drive in the Mehari who belong to my late grandfather. He was a proper Citroen fan but only had old cars. DS, 2CV and and old Ami and the Mehari. He teach me everything and I inheared the love of old cars. Just different brand - VW 😊
THIRTY SEVEN THOUSAND POUNDS !!!😂
Madness!
Yeah for something that isn't even a proper car that's ridiculous
@@benllewelyn98it's more than a "proper car"
It’s like most electric vintage vehicles, or weird things like the Citroen Ami or Renault twizzy - it’s either a little plaything you get on finance because it’s cool, or you have enough money for it to not matter that you buy a little expensive toy. Just matters that it’s French they’re the only people who seem to keep doing it 🤣
It's a marina car, for when you park your yacht.
I'm a big fan of the 2CV. I don't recall seeing the Mahari in the flesh but I have seen plenty of videos and articles. Not ideal for the UK as a daily driver but my word they look like fun and ooze character. Would I consider a car without doors? Yes, I rode motor bikes for decades but it would have to be affordable and I'd have to liver near to the cost. Many thanks for sharing.
Hi Jonny.
Looks a lot like a mini moke. My dad always wanted a moke, and I always wanted to buy him one but it never happened.
Great video, and great production too.
Cheers, ya droopy tail pipe 🍻
I've had tons of fun driving mokes.
I remember the original, I think they are brilliant and amazing engineering
I was watching Jonny’s other channel, The loose gate show, where Jonny explores French farms hunting out loose gates to fix. However it wasn’t to my taste so instead enjoying this episode of The Late Brake Show.
While at it, give The Goose Late show a watch too where Johnny tries to deliver geese on time but fails miserably because all the gates are worked on by farmer men not letting him go through until the gate is all sorted out
The Light Broke Show is worth a watch but it gets pretty dark.
@@DiscoFang 😂
Here in the US the Moke starts at $23k, although by the time you add things like roof and battery (yep, that's extra!), you're going to be closer to $28k or even $30k. Still, that's quite a lot cheaper than the Cassis Eden, although obviously the Eden will not be sold in the US market.
I have always fancied a Mehari Jonny....albeit with a proper engine!
Apparently the Dutch managed to cram GS 4 cylinder engines into 2CV's....or the BMW boxer (motorbike engine), which we have all seen a road test on YT.
Having the headlights on in the sunshine, sounds a bit daft....probably half the usable range!
The matching watch is a bit kitsch😎
Our family had a Mehari when I was a kid in the 80s. My dad was a film maker and liked this car for filming because the windscreen could be folded down and the suspension was smooth.
These found their way into quite a few countries in Francophone Africa. There's still a number of them running around in Madagascar. As many of the taxis there are 2 CVs, spares are readily available.
Reminds me of that old joke. Buying a car with no doors - how the hell do you get in? Boom boom.
I thought you said 37k for a minute! 😂😂😂
Wait....... What! 😳
I love this little car, if i lived somewhere mostly hot and had enough spare change in my pocket, i would own one. It might not suit my life and financial circumstances, but who cares, its great this sort of thing is still available on the market
I was born and raised around Marseille, this is a bit of a blast from the past
I bloody love these things and as we live in Spain it's an ideal runaround. Very Mod❤
Oh Portugal was full of those back in the day! Specially in the sunny Algarve! Just love it!
Brings me back to driving a rented Mini Moke on holidays in Cyprus 30 years ago, a super experience. And a world away from modern one size fits all porky cars, full of safety kit and circuitry.
The wife and I are seriously thinking about spending our old days in Sardinia. We went on Holliday there last year and saw 3 Mehari’s. 2 where’re actually parked on opposite sides of the same street at the same time (Got the pictures to prove it). Now I have found the car that fits our plans. Afraid to ask for the price though.
Club Tropicana yes! I had to check just now that Lewis Capaldi's "Forget Me" video homage to Club Tropicana also uses the Mehari too! He went all-in with that vid, white Y-fronts sunbathing and all. Instant fan of his sense of humour.
Love it. An extra benefit of electric is that it seems to be encouraging more quirky, low volume cars.
There were a couple of immaculate petrol examples owned by locals where I was staying in Mallorca. There and then I decided that if I actually lived there, or somewhere with a similar climate, I would definitely own one. They are just fantastic motorised gazebos, regardless of how they are fueled!
Motorised gazebos - wish I'd said it like that Michael!
The Gendarmes in the south of France or in the sunny places like the West Indies used to use them as patrol vehicles. They were around till the mid 80’s
well the twizy was sold without doors so yes there is a market for it.
being a sevco controller and motor, I bet a Twizy powerbox could be connected to fully unlock the RAW power. lol
Twizyś with the powerbox are a riot to drive.
Love the Mehari, loathe the "music".
I get that these things are a small run offer, but I wish that a big company would do something like this and get the costs down. I live in.a part of the world (Sppain) where something like this would be fine for day-to-day driving, but at €35K I simply can't justify it as an only car.
Nice concept, but far, far too expensive, either as a purchase or as a tribute to the original.
Back when I was very young, maybe 5 or so, we went to Nice and they had a Mehari in a shop or a showroom and I completely broke down in tears asking my mom to buy one ...
We say deux chevaux in French (2 horses), cv is a contraction of tax able chevaux.
We have a 1972 original Mehari and we buy spares from these guys, shipped directly from South France. They are a blessing! 🚗🥇
Makes little sense for the uk but lots of sense if you live along the coast of the mediterranean.
I don't know. There are entire shops that just sell garden furniture. That makes little sense in the UK too but we still buy it! You could only get it out when the sun shines
The UK, home of the leaky convertible sports car? 😂
Best electric car review so far, I think.
Always loved the Mehari. My parents used to take us to the south of France for a month every summer, and these were commonplace. Very popular with small business owners etc, normal to see them stacked with trays of fruit and veg or whatever. They came in fantastic bright colours too.
While I'm not a fan of EVs I can see this making perfect sense as a local runabout in Mediterranean countries today. I might worry about crash protection though!
Love it. I live on a luxury yacht in Daventry and this would be perfect for my wife Felicity to buzz along from the galley to the poop deck to serve me my breakfast veal. I may buy five.
Great to hear Cap'n Daventry
The night club rope, lol haha
VIP drinks area...
@@TheLateBrakeShow dam right great video
@@TheLateBrakeShow It should have holders for your glass of Martini.
It's from the Shixties. It was a different time...
Very. It has ashtrays.
oh i would drive this to town every single day
Another great video,thanks Jonny. Must be a nice relaxing life style once you have one of these. Nice to see you with a colour coordinated watch strap…taking the job seriously 😂
We have two members with Meharis in their name!! And by the way, radial tyres were developed by Michelin for the Citroen Ami 6. This was twice the size of the 2CV!!
Classic resort car. And why not? So glad it exists and you drove it for us.
Funny..
The wive of my doctor (herself also a doctor) drove one daily also for visits to patients.
The thing was ALWAYS parked outside and looked unloved..in green it blended in with the surroundings.
NOT in a sunny dry country but in the Netherlands below see level.
Otherwise she was a real lady…that contrasted awesome.
Starting to see a few of these around us here in Provence down in the South of France. They look fun but can really hold up the traffic in summer 😂😂😂 They are certainly selling well albeit production is small.
Hmmm - given the price, wonder how much an 'aftermarket upgrade' to the motor would cost, just to give it a few more ponies :p
The driving experience is much better without roof. When stopped at a red light you can't see the green without yoga. I put the roof in long term storage. It makes sense to have it electric, just the typical 2CV noise...
As a VW Thing owner...a lot of familiarity with the Mehari. At 6ft though I've found the original Mehari cramped when using the gas pedal...You?
Really reminds me of a Volkswagen Thing, like the one Patty & Selma drive (simpsons). Love weird stuff like this! Also, I can’t hear the word “tubular” anymore without visualising Ribbons from the not great Doctor Who episode “It takes you away”.
We went on a family holiday to Ibiza in 1987 when I was 7 (before it was the clubbing capital of the med!) and Meharis were everywhere! Most of them were owned by rental agencies as I remember, not privately owned, so I wonder if these will be the same? Someone could defo make a killing renting these out in Ibiza or Majorca.
Oh how I remember bombing about in Ibiza as a younger hedonistic guy in the 70's in the orange version of the Mehari. Enough said, you either get them (and all the other 2CV derivatives) or you dont. Cheers DougT
Love it, but I loved my Dyane as well. I'd have one without hesitation if I lived in a climate like Jonny was in.
Sorry, but I’m already driving a small electric car - the Renault Zoe. Although I very much like the Mehari, I find that I can do more miles in the Zoe than in any petrol model.
It wasn't Citroen that conceived it, it was designed and the prototype built by one of Citroen's supplier Roland de Poype a WWII fighter ace who headed Société d'Etudes et d'Applications des Brevets. He decided to use a plastic for the body panels instead of fibreglass,
BTW, you don't pronounce the H in Méhari it is pronounced Méari. Méhari is a breed of dromedary racing camel.
Although the electric version is recent they have been remanufacturing the Mehari and parts for decades. The restricted speed only applies to the electric version". The petrol version can be driven all year round and has heating into the passenger compartment.
I have an original 1983 4 seater and that can keep up with normal traffic (70-80 kph)
Very nice. I have seen many when I was a young boy. But at €8k, the new plastic Ami makes more sense to me. Still, lovely car, fantastic that they bought so much original stuff from Citroën.
Oh Jonny you've done it again ... the car, the watch ... Magnifique!
I had one in the UK with full weather gear, with the 602 petrol engine it would lollop along at an easy 65mph. With all the top up it was more or less waterproof but it was like driving a tent.. Bet they will still sell you a petrol one if you asked, Makes way more sense.
At 10:17, I have decided I file this cute little run about putt putt. It’s whimsical and entertaining. It looks like a real car verses the electric moke which looks and feels a little too much like a golf cart.
Well, it won’t rust, but (if i’m right) the original one couldn’t be registered (at least in Germany) bc it was highly inflammatory. OK, at least there are no doors and a roof that will hinder you from escaping 🤪
These have always been on my bucket list. As values of 2CVs have now climbed to the point where its out of my range as a second 'fun' car. And this is the same. Also, probably needs a single speed gear set fitting into the transaxle and 50kW. Good efforts to Cassis Eden and the authenticity of the build. One day, I will own a car with inboard brakes!
If there was only 2cv's and derivatives in the world, there would be Peace.
Would look good with a terracotta tile print roof.
😂
I like the way you think.
And terry towelling seats? Because we would (and it's on the option list!)
Would look better with me at the wheel.........................
Larger motor (for sustained dual carriage ability) and 4 speed box (to facilitate towing a canoe/dinghy trailer or lugging heavy scuba gear?) with canvas door package?, ....YUP! As someone who loves motorcycles and used to ride year round, I've no problems with the exposed nature of this little bundle of joy! A RHD version for Australia, Africa, and Japan as well as Thailand and of course, the UK, would boost sales too!
I wonder if they can source a solar powered trickle charger, to replace the canvas roof?
On an Island like Lanzerote where it is warm enough and dry enough I would say a perfect match🛵
Lovely ❤ little throwback to my youth
Always loved the Mehari. This would be fantastic in Jersey with side panels for winter. Great for small islands generally
Very cool. I love all these nutty niche thingys. Bit pricey though.
I bloody love that! Pricey, though.
Here in the United States, every beach side area would be able to rent those out so well. Right now they use gas golf carts… these are ridiculously cool
Just sell them as kit cars and send them in crates . The car is so easily put together. have a dealer set up for connecting the electronics
Petrol or Diesel gators and golf carts just annoy me.
Just seen the intro, now settling down for a really good watch. Bet it is better than the moke. Here we go..
Well, was it better than the Moke? I think so, how 'bout you?
@@nickwinn7812 Defo, but for the cost of two Kia Picantos I am not sure that either is the winner in real life. But I did enjoy the video.
Very good, just curious why there are no visible reverse lights or rear fog lights?
Surely, one of each are required?
Car without doors (or roof in my case)
I built a Lomax 3 wheeler kit car based on a 2CV in 1991 and used it every day to go 30 miles round trip to work. 22:28
Despite the Mehari's wonky stance and uncertain styling, somehow it's still deeply appealing in the right setting. A 'runabout' for Riviera hotels?
Hoteliers in that region are currently the biggest customers.
Watching this in Alicante airport waiting for a flight where I’ve spent a week Mehari spotting with my girlfriends dad, he’ll be happy when I tell him about this
About a couple years ago my local car dealer started selling the new version of the Mini Moke, I was excited to be able to by a cheap fun second car for the summers until I noticed the price. 28 k for the most basic mechanical car you can find, absolutely bonkers.
Thanks Mate for this video !! I Love So Much that you are into popular, "run of the mill" French Cars !!
Your Eclecticism & your Deminor is so Melow, Enjoyable & Fun to watch...it's like Chilling with Jonny at home, but without a "H" lol... ok I ll stop being French.
Thank You Guys "Brits ;)"... oops again, for your Enormous Contribution in the Car Motorworld 🙏🙏🙏!
I Can't Wait for your next video, you are a Breath of Fresh Air in the Pompous TH-camr World Mate !!!
Now I feel like having Fish & Chips somehow, maybe I'll wash it down w/ a little White Wine, you can keep the vinegar... and your Mint Jelly Mint too... poor Lamb ;) !
PS: Sorry for "Childish Charles ", We Miss the Classy Poised w/ her "shit" together Queen too Believe Me, Pardon my Cheeky Frenchness !!
We ll send you a Guillotine if you need to... just kidding of course ! Keep at It Mate !
❤🚙 Always did, Always Will, it's in the Blood I Guess, Expensive Obsession, Cheers Jonny without "H"👍 !!!
Johnny.P
Slow but fun. Reminds me of myself.
I need one of those for our place in Morocco. Oh my god, it’s wonderful.
Well you’ve got the Mehari at the right time of year!!
And by the way, where in France are you testing the little Mehari? But it’s a very attractive little car for driving in Greater London!!
Cassis
The Mehari also stars in a film in which Charlton Heston is one of the last people on earth, think it was called Omega Man
I'm completely with you jonny. Totally impractical, especially in the UK environment, and if no interest to me personally. But, I'm very glad that it exists. It occupies a very small niche, but does so perfectly.
Upcyling and reemploying tooling is such a fantastic business model. Who knows maybe they'll develop their own body styled concept. Perhaps something rain proof and aerodynamic! Stellantis/Citroën better wise up!
Nothing to do with Stellantis, they stopped making it in 1988, they just sold some tooling.
the original Meháris are collectors cars, sold at a considerable premium. Depreciation on this one, likewise, will probably be rather low. Cars are expensive when they depreciate, not because the purchase price is steep.
I like the concept of the malhari.
Going electric suits this utilitarian platform perfectly.
..
Does sound like it needs a wee bit more oomph.
..
37000 is alot, but agree being totally french (keeping it original) just helps validate this upgrade..
..
My only concern would be that plastic bodyshell.
Is that ABS outer bodyshell UV resistant?
..
I could see that plastic body degrade or even crack over time, especially in hot climates...
....
I did get London underground vibes from that drivetrain noise🙂
Yes i would drive a doorless vehicle in the UK but only in the summer.
An original late build Mehari had about 29 bhp (21.6 Kw) on tap with it's four speed gearbox, they weren't quick, but like all 2cv derivatives if you were willing to row them up and down through those four gears and keep the engine revving freely they were very able if properly serviced. Even working on the assumption this 15 Kw e-motor has more torque it does seem a big ask to saddle it with just two gears. A fairer option would be a 22 Kw e-motor and this limited box, or the original four speed unit as is standard. 80 Km/h isn't a bad top speed, but to be able to maintain it fully laden up a decent straight incline would be something most would like. I have nothing against restricted vehicles so long as it isn't bought about at the detriment of practicality. I am of the generation that had to put up with 50 cc motorcycles being restricted to 50 Km/h by the use of a washer in the exhaust to wreck the exhaust pressure and they were horrible; a proper electronic control governing the speed is so much safer for everyone. With it being air cooled it does have nearly the right sound to it.