Renault Rodeo. Much cheaper than one Citroën Mehari

Auto Motor Klassiek » Special » Renault Rodeo. Much cheaper than one Citroën Mehari
Purchasing classics there

Beautiful Meharis have become incredibly expensive for the ABS pastries that they are. And that is partly the fault of winemaker Ilja Gort. Such a Mehari is no more than an 2 CV platform with a Tupperware pinafore. And that very neat copies for € 5 less than € 20.000 are offered? Well: ordinary 2 CVs are also for sale for such amounts. After all, it is just what the market has left for it?

But if you are charmed by the idea but not by the price? Then there is the Renault Rodeo. A kind of Mehari. But then on the chassis of an R4. For a maximum of around € 7.000 for a topper.

Rodeo (1981-1987)

The Renault Rodeo is a series of 'semi off-road mini SUVs' produced between 1970 and 1987 by ACL (Ateliers de Construction du Livradois), later Teilhol. And ACL did the work for Renault. In total there were three generations of the Rodeo. The first one was very similar to a Mehari. The latter clearly had R5 genes. Initially the car was called ACL Rodeo and the name was changed to Renault Rodeo in July 1976. It had a front-wheel drive, but could also be ordered with Sinpar's four-wheel drive.

Rodeo 4 (1970-1981)

The original Rodeo 4 was based on the platform of the R4 delivery vans and had an 845 cc engine.

Rodeo 6 (1972-1981)

In 1972 a second model appeared that was derived from the R6 TL, now known as the Rodeo 6. It was still based on the platform of the R4 orderer, but had the 1108 cc engine of the Renault 6. In 1979 the Rodeo 6 was improved and the 1289 cc engine of the Renault 5 was added to the Rodeo. The Rodeo 4 and the Rodeo 6 existed side by side from 1972 to 1981.

Rodeo (1981-1987)

A new model with a smaller and completely new bodywork replaced the Rodeo 4 and 6 in 1981, and was simply called Rodeo. A limited series of all four-wheel drive versions was only built in 1984, and was called Rodeo Hoggar. The Renault Rodeo is not a resounding success and therefore a successor is not forthcoming. Raoul Teilhol therefore had production capacity and devised on the basis of Citroen 2CV6 technique a more modern interpretation of the Mehari and the Rodeo, the Tangara. Without much success, incidentally, in 1990 the factory went bankrupt.

The model series was discontinued in May 1987 without a successor. A total of 1970 units were built between 1987 and 60.000. For comparison: of the Citroën Méhari built nearly 150.000 units.

There is a reasonable supply of Rodeos in France. And they prove that prices are formed by demand, supply and what the fool wants to give. The prices for the later models start at around € 3.000. And an absolutely early masterpiece? The asking price for this is below € 8.000.

By the way: In France you can buy a whole new bodywork for a Mehari for more than € 3.000. If you are there under the 1 / 3e scheme underworks an 2CV chassis, then nobody sees that you are driving a very cheap Mehari.

Renault Rodeo

Resembling…

Renault Rodeo
There are already enthusiasts in France

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7 comments

  1. Loool what a shit. I have come across it for 3000euro in good condition. Can't even find it anywhere on the internet for 20k. Do some research before you suck an article out of your thumb.

  2. The Renault 6 Rodeo is built on the basis of the delivery van R4 F6 and therefore longer than the 4 Rodeo. Another important difference is the bonnet that is flatter with the 6 than with the 4. The 6 phase II looks a lot more modern and with the full hardtop it is even more practical and can be used all year round. The Méhari (French for dromedary by the way) is made for thoroughly colored ABS; The Rodeos are made of fiberglass-reinforced polyester (just like boats for example). As a car, the Méhari is no better than a Rodeo, but it is more popular. And indeed literally everything from the Méhari is still available (new!).

  3. Nice stuff, but I would rather go for an 2Cv VanClee, who still knows that?

    (Then of course preferably with an Ami Super chassis and a 4-cylinder from a GSA or the like ...
    Then it is best to be a rap beession that you will have fun with! 🙌🏽)

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