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203
The Morris 1000 was hailed as a triumph when production passed the 1million mark, it did not stop there, it kept going until the plug was pulled at around 1.25 million unit’s.
No attempt was made to update the 1000, prior to the ending of production, though many questioned the decision to finish manufacture.
Not many UK model’s reach this figure, and very few surpass it. So how come our near neighbours manage to produce huge number’s of automobiles, the German VW plant is legend, mind boggling, then our near neighbours, France, 9 models 30 million units.
Despite the French figures, where are the cars, what happened to them, when was the last time you saw a 504 or its successor the 505?
This family of cars started with, indirectly the 203, the 403 was reputed to be a reskinned version of the 203.
Pinin Farina designed the new 403, which was released in 1955, it is said, it actually saved the country from bankruptcy.
403
So what was special about the 403? It was upmarket, to cater for the affluence of the population after the war, the detailing and the full width bodywork went down well with the middle classes, so much so over 1.2 million units were built, this included estates that could seat 7 passengers and the driver and a commercial van.
There was a diesel version of 1816cc, which sold well, the 403 cabriolet was actually famous, do you remember the US detective Columbo?, Well his choice of car was the 403, Peter Falk must have been a fantastic advert for the car.
Yet the 403 was not the fastest of machines, the 0- 60 time of 24 seconds did not compare with lesser models, flat out you would just about see 76mph and petrol consumption was around 25 to the gallon.
The engine of 1468cc was an in-line 4 with normal carburation , suspension at the front end independent and leaf springs, whilst the back was a live axle and coil springs. The gearbox was a four speed manual, steering by rack and pinion.
It is described as having a metal monocoque body and chassis. The car weighed in at 1300 kgs.
Next model was the 404, this was the natural successor to the 403, which was expected to be dropped, but in true French style they kept making it for another six years as a budget model, it finally came to an end in 1966.
404
Well, the 404 was going to be a car with a long life, 18 years actually, though it is a wonder it lasted so long, as our friend Pinin Farina designed it, unfortunately he also designed almost identical cars for the British market and the Italians, the Austin Cambridge and the Morris Oxford and the Fiat 1800 saloon.
One wonders why he didn’t produce design’s that did not mirror the other’s, well not that it mattered, the 404 sold nearly 3 million units, many can still be found in North Africa.There is a theory that it might have something to do with the French Foreign Legion being stationed in Africa, or was it due to the ruggedness, build quality and simplicity of maintenance?
Peugeot did not seem to worry about speed, the 404 had a 1618cc overhead valve engine which gave a maximum of 90 mph, with an MPG figure of 28 to 30.
The carburettor was a single solex, the gearbox standard 4 speed all synchro and the braking was servo assisted drums front and rear.
Peugeot used an out of vertical engine mounting to lower the bonnet line and improve vision, independent suspension all round, using coil springs. You have to remember that these Peugeot are all rear wheel drive.
If you wanted something a little different you could get a KF2 version which had fuel injection rather than the solex, it was this model that won the East African Safari Rally on more than one occasion, I think at the hands of the Singh Brother’s.
I would not suggest it was as just came out of the showroom by any means, the Safari Rally is a notorious car breaker, or was.
You won’t believe this the 404 came with a starting handle, it could be hand cranked, it must have been one of the last cars to have this facility, though out in the bush with a flat battery would not have been fun, so it made sense.
Again we have an overlap, the 404 sold right up until 1978, it was selling for 10 years beside the new 504, it sold a fantastic 3.1 million unit’s before finally bowing out in 1983
504
So when did you see a 504 last? It seems this model was very popular in Africa, seems a good place to go for spares, on second thoughts, I don’t think so.
Apparently the locals love the ruggedness and simplicity of the model, which says either electronic wizardry would not stand up to the rigours of the African climate or they are too expensive to repair.
Mark you my connection with Africa is through reading Wilbur Smith, so it is very limited and a pair of sandals designed by a warrior tribe, which was supposed to make me run faster, hang on where is the zimmer.
The 504 comes in two engine configurations, a 75bhp single carb job or a Kugelfischer fuel injection system, which explains the KF2 model for the 404, the later gives 90bhp.
The engine was of 1796cc, giving the car a top speed of 106mph and a happy cruising speed of 90mph, with petrol consumption around 25, with of course the standard 4 speed box.
These figures do not define which model they were taken from, so one would hardly put money on them, for guidance only.
For a 1969 model it had built in headrests, burst proof locks and double jointed steering column and a heavily padded steering wheel, which was above the norm, though it was similar to both Volvo and Mercedes in terms of car safety.
As was Peugeot’s way they also produced Estate, Cabriolets, Commercials and diesel versions. The company did continually update this model, including engine sizes.
It was actually a car I could have fallen in love with, unfortunately I had a mistress who held on very tight, my beloved Amazon, very similar cars rugged and relatively simple mechanics, if you know one end of a spanner to the other.
I was in Lidl’s the other day in loughboy, what has that got to do with Peugeot, well I got out of the car, parked a little way up from me was this very strange looking motor, what is it? Naturally being a nosey type I wandered up, a Peugeot, a 505, with British Registration. I kid you not, it was exquisite, it gleamed with loving care, the brown paint unblemished, a car you could run off with and not have a guilty conscience, inside was the same spotless, I looked for the owner, but no joy, and no camera.
The 505 had a 13 year run, and it is said, one of the most recognisable medium sized saloons on the planet, how come I missed it? Nearly 4 million units.
505
Of course, the African’s loved it, if I remember my history France had quite an influence on what then known as the dark continent, I think the African nation was not exactly keen on the British rule, can’t say I blame them. They probably said you know what you can do with your cars.
Spec wise, the 505 was impressive , it either had a 1971cc motor or 1995cc or even a 2304cc unit, it used ASolex or zenith Carbs, or K-Jetronic fuel injection, the diesel version using Roto Diesel/Bosch Injection. At one stage there was 6 petrol engines and 2 diesels to choose from.
Now we had 4/5 speed gearbox or a three speed auto, it reached speeds of 102 or 108mph the diesel was estimated at around 87mph. Petrol consumption, petrol engines 24 to 30 to the gallon and the diesel 30 to 35, though in all fairness it does rather depend on how one drives.
Stopping was good in that you either had servo assisted disc at the front and drum at the back or an all disc set up. This was still rear wheel drive, so the turning circle was only 37 ft.
Again there is a marked difference in speed one is quoted at 114mph and 0-60 in 10 seconds, this is for information of the unreliability of figures only.
Suspension front and rear independent coil springs, fitted anti roll bars, and Macpherson struts at the front, retained the rack and pinion steering.
Peugeot have been made in Kenya, Nigeria, Argentina and China.
If you are near Sochaux at anytime, Peugeot have a museum which would no doubt be of great interest.
The car finally gave way to the 604, and there is another 405 the Mi16, but think we have enough so will put them on the back burner for a week or so.
As always thanks for reading, and do drive carefully. Regards Ted Lay
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