Citroen Mehari

[Brizio]

Time to start this kit. It is a Heller Citroen Mehari in 1/24. The real car had the body molded in plastic, so I need to say that is pretty accurate! The kit contains different parts that don't need to be use for this model, they are from the Citroen 2CV.

 

On the corner of the box there is a piece of tape covering something, I scraped it off and... Renault official product... 

 

[espo]

Are you going to build as "out of box" or do you have bigger plans for this ? On Wheeler Dealer on Velocity TV they redid a Citroen van that looks very similar to this. I understand that these are very popular in parts of Europe at this time.  

[Brizio]

Are you going to build as "out of box" or do you have bigger plans for this ? On Wheeler Dealer on Velocity TV they redid a Citroen van that looks very similar to this. I understand that these are very popular in parts of Europe at this time.  

Back in the 70's mi dad almost bought a used one, I don't picture him with this car, but like he said "was the 70's" :D... Where  I grew up I remember one Mehari driving around, did not had this big success, probably because it is more a "summer" car, not for winter.  The body is in plastic so the kit is "very accurate :D".I think to build it stock, and see from there how it goes.

 

[Brizio]

First thing to build is the chassis.

I add the steering part. I like to have model car that steer...  To be sure that the suspension will stay attached to the chassis I drilled a hole, made a thread and secure it all with a screw. I need to do that also on the back.

 

[Brizio]

I was looking a the chassis and something did not look right. The rear shock are too short or all the suspension is too short, the rear shocks should be attached to the suspension arm like the front one.

[Modelbuilder Mark]

I have never seen one of these but, so i am looking forward setting this one built, and it looks like you are going toy do a great job.

[sjordan2]

Here are a lot of shots of a Mehari that Coy's will put on the auction block in Monaco next month.

http://www.coys.co.uk/cars/1981-citroen-mehari-4x4

[Brizio]

I have never seen one of these but, so i am looking forward setting this one built, and it looks like you are going toy do a great job.

Thank you Mark!  They sold around 1000 Mehari in the US. 

Here are a lot of shots of a Mehari that Coy's will put on the auction block in Monaco next month.

http://www.coys.co.uk/cars/1981-citroen-mehari-4x4

Nice above all because is 4x4, but what a price for a piece of plastic!  Also is a post '78, the kit seems more a pre '75.

[Brizio]

Some update, I start to cut the suspension from the chassis.

Made some shocks mount.

Some more...

 

[Brizio]

New suspension system, compared with the old.

[Rider]

Very nice added detailing.

[Brizio]

Very nice added detailing.

Thank you Lloyd!

I added the frame that will hold the body.

 

[Rider]

I am digging this, keep up the great fiddilly work, it really pays of in the end doesn't it. 

[crazyrichard]

hmm great updates on the suspension ) !!!!

[Brizio]

I am digging this, keep up the great fiddilly work, it really pays of in the end doesn't it. 

Thank you Lloyd! Agree... Next I need to make the gas tank, and re do the hooks on the chassis.

hmm great updates on the suspension ) !!!!

Thank you Richard! I still don't know why they did not made the shock longer...

[PatW]

Looking good Brizio. When I built a  2CV the suspension was very similar to this one on the Mehari and it worked very well, worth the time taken building it! 

[Brizio]

Looking good Brizio. When I built a  2CV the suspension was very similar to this one on the Mehari and it worked very well, worth the time taken building it! 

I though they used the same 2CV chassis for both, apparently not. I'm also disappointed on the plastic the kit is molded, been a new kit, the plastic looks from the 60's! Infact it remind me of the plastic the Renault 16 was molded.

[Brizio]

Forgot to put the picture of the gas tank. On the previous picture of the gas tank on the chassis I glue it wrong. the hose need to go on the other side.

The gas tank filler hose is molded on the body... So I will remove it and make a new one.

Gas tank filler hose removed.

 

[PatW]

I though they used the same 2CV chassis for both, apparently not. I'm also disappointed on the plastic the kit is molded, been a new kit, the plastic looks from the 60's! Infact it remind me of the plastic the Renault 16 was molded.

Yes mine as with the Citroen HY van is very soft.

[Brizio]

Some progress, filling all the injection marks... Also I removed the exhaust mount. In the instruction they show that the exhaust need to be cut, so this piece need to be removed.

The piece I'm talking about.

 

 

[Brizio]

The hood has two pins, that if you want the hood in the open position you need to leave them, if not you need to cut them.

[crazyrichard]

hmmm your really making work of this one ! i love it !

[Brizio]

hmmm your really making work of this one ! i love it !

And I was not planning to do a lot...  Thank you Richard.

[Brizio]

Here some progress, more an update because I didn't go forward with the building...

The lower front end of the car, on the kit is straight down, in the real car it is in an angle...

Here the piece in a more realistic position...

 

 

[Brizio]

One tire done, 4 more to go...