Sinpar Plein Air Plein Air as intended In particular, the Citroën Méhari, which was launched the next day, on May 16th of 1968. Citroën had brought to market a commercial version of their military vehicle, based on the 2CV, the Citroën Méhari, equipped with a body in ABS plastic that was color blended directly into the material. However the competition was just not limited to fellow French constructor Citroën. Also battling for market share were: the British Mini Moke, as well as the German VW Thing and the Italian Fiat 600 Jolly. Possibly even more of a factor, price wise compared to the Méhari, and other competitors, the Plein Air was on the far end of the scale. This probably explains Renault's decision to discontinue production in March of 1970, and replace the Plein Air with the new cheaper fiberglass bodied Rodeo. Whether the Plein Air, was just a second attempt at the beach car movement, which Renault had taken an initial bite of in 1961 when they produced a modest run of fifty Renault 4cv Jollys, or if they had just taken advantage of Sinpar’s failed bid for a new lightweight French military vehicle, by having them create a commercial version, in very short order, with little to no development costs. With more than eight million examples made, the Renault 4L had proven itself one of the most practical vehicles ever built. While the Plein Air had quickly proven not to be commercially viable like it’s fully dressed older brother, as a stripped-down beach cruiser of sorts with no doors and no roof. That did not detract from the fun that the lucky few owners of these unique vehicles have had for more than a half century. Manic PA-II racer 4cv Jolly Beach Car
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