Citroën Golden Scarab or Scarabee d'Or in French (known also K1 HP Type B2), became the first vehicle to cross the Sahara desert in December 1922. It starts while Andrë Citroën was convinced that it would be possible and beneficial to cross the Sahara by automobile. After World War I, the prospect of a direct link between mainland France and Equatorial Africa appealed to settlers, the military and the scientific community alike.
On December 17th, 1922 a team of 10 people (including several army officers and a geographer) and 5 Citroën P2 half-tracked vehicles, led by Georges-Marie Haardt and Louis Audoin-Dubreuil, left Touggourt, Algeria en route to Timbuktu, Mali. After 20 days of strenuous and eventful traveling in one of the most inhospitable regions on the planet the expedition arrived there on January 7, 1923.
The successful design (by utilizing endless rubber treads, allowing the vehicles to drive off-road over various forms of terrain) was the brainchild of a talented engineer by the name of Adolphe Këgresse.
Citroën produced these types of vehicles from January 1921 onwards and now almost 100 years later, the French car manufacturer intended to present a replica that is identical to the original one.
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1922 Citroën Scarabee d'Or or Golden Scarab half-track vehicle. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Wsxj45) |

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Citroën Golden Scarab half-track vehicle while across Sahara desert in its heyday almost 100 years ago. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Wsxj45) |
Citroën produced these types of vehicles from January 1921 onwards and now almost 100 years later, the French car manufacturer intended to present a replica that is identical to the original one.
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Replica of Citroën Scarabee d'Or or Golden Scarab half-track vehicle was built involved a team of 160 students as well as 40 teachers in the process. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Wsxj45) |
However, the French automotive manufacturer wants to maintain its original looks, with the drive composition of two-wheels in the front and a track behind, as well as space for two people in a medium-sized cabin.
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Front left view of replica of Citroën Scarabee d'Or or Golden Scarab half-track vehicle. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2YV8Cei) |
Golden Scarab has very simple, but high-tech specifications in its time. This vehicle has a length of 3.65 meters (143.7 inches), width of 1.4 meters (55.1 inches) and height of 1.68 meters (66.1 inches), and weighs around 800 kg (1,764 lbs).
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Rear three quarter of replica of Citroën Scarabee d'Or or Golden Scarab half-track vehicle. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Wsxj45) |
This vehicle is also supported by a lightly-stressed 1.5-liter four-cylinder inline engine which is capable of producing power of 20 hp at 2,100 rpm. The engine is incorporated into a 3-speed gearbox mounted on the rear axle.
The plan Citroën will display replica of the special half-track vehicle in Paris in mid-June 2019. Next, it will be present at the Champs-Elysees on July 18, 2019. Continued on July 19-21, this half-track vehicle will prove its greatness in a series of demonstrations at various events celebrating Citroën’s centenary this year. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CITROËN | CARSCOOPS | CLASSIC.COM | PETROLICIOUS]
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