Peugeot 404 - 62

The Peugeot 404 is a large family car produced by French

automobile manufacturer Peugeot from 1960 to 1975. A

truck body style variant was marketed until 1988.

The   404   was   manufactured   under   licence   in   various   African   countries   until   1991   (in   Kenya)   and was   manufactured   in   Argentina   by   Safrar/Sevel   in   El   Palomar,   in   Québec,   Canada   at   the   St- Bruno-de-Montarville   SOMA   Ltd.   plant   and   in   Chile   by   Automotores   Franco   Chilena   S.A.   in   Los Andes. Styled   by   Pininfarina,   the   404   was   offered   initially   as   a   saloon,   estate,   and   pickup. A   convertible was   added   in   1962,   and   a   coupé   in   1963.   The   404   was   fitted   with   a   1.6   L   petrol   engine,   with either   a   Solex   carburetor   or   Kugelfischer   mechanical   fuel   injection   or   a   1.9   L   diesel   engine available   as   options.   Introduced   at   the   Paris   Motor   Show   as   an   option   was   the   inclusion   of   a   3- speed   ZF   automatic   transmission,   similar   to   the   unit   already   offered   on   certain   BMW   models,   as an alternative to the standard column-mounted manual unit. Popular   as   a   taxicab,   the   404   enjoyed   a   reputation   for   durability   and   value.   Peugeot's   French production   run   of   1,847,568   404s   ended   in   1975.   A   total   of   2,885,374   units   had   been   produced worldwide at the end of production.

Production history until 1962

Year 1960

Saloon    introduced    with    72    hp    petrol    engine    and    column-shift    4    speed    gearbox    with    gate "reversed"   (1st   down,   up   for   2nd   and   towards   the   wheel   for   3rd   down   and   4th   up)   –   identical   to the   203   and   403   (except   that   4th   gear   is   direct   drive).   Grand   Touring   model   has   square   air   vents on the dashboard and body-coloured wheels.

Year 1961

Introduction   of   Super   Luxe   model:   Superstructure   painted   silver,   chrome   headlight   rims,   large diameter   hubcaps,   tan   leather   interior   trim,   front   armrest.   Grand Touring   model   has   body   colour wheels replaced with metallic silver ones.

Year 1962

New   suspension   with   increased   travel   and   flexibility.   Dashboard   is   modified   and   square   air   vents are   replaced   by   circular   directional   vents.   New   reinforced   drum   brake   linings.   Anti-reflective paint used for the dashboard. Introduction   of   Commercial,   Break   and   seven-seat   Family   estate   versions,   with   tandem   coil spring   rear   suspension   in   the   place   of   the   sedan's   single   spring   arrangement. These   versions   have a   balanced   spring   system   to   assist   in   opening   the   tailgate,   different   rear   light   clusters,   rear bumper   arrangement   and   the   fuel   filler   cap   is   no   longer   hidden   behind   the   rear   number   plate, but   behind   a   flap   in   the   rear   wing.   These   variants   are   also   longer   (4,590   mm   (181   in)   vs   4,445 mm    (175    in))    and    heavier    (1,190    kg    (2,624    lb)    vs    1,100    kg    (2,425    lb))    than    their    saloon equivalents.

Foreign Assembly

The   404   was   assembled   in   a   number   of   countries   besides   France.   It   was   manufactured   by   Safrar in Argentina   (later   Sevel),   and   assembly   took   place   in Australia   (by   the   local   Renault   subsidiary), Belgium,   Canada   (at   the   SOMA   plant   shared   with   Renault),   Chile,   Ireland,   Kenya,   Madagascar, Malaysia,    New    Zealand,    Nigeria,    Portugal,    Perú    (by    Braillard),    Rhodesia,    South   Africa    and Uruguay.   The   404,   especially   in   pickup   form,   is   still   a   common   sight   in   North   and   West   Africa. The   Argentinian-built   404   was   available   with   both   the   1.6   petrol   and   the   diesel   engine,   in Standard   or   Luxe   equipment   levels.   The   Luxe   featured   sporty   alloy   wheels   and   a   special   grill with integrated extra lamps.

Surviving Coupés and Cabriolets

Le   Club   404   (France)   is   conducting   a   worldwide   inventory   of   remaining   404   Coupé   and   Cabriolet cars.   17,223   were   built   -   both   variants   included   -   and   as   of   May   31,   2014,   1875   of   these   have been identified, about 10.9% of the total made.

1962

Engine 1618 cc 4 cylinders Power 72 HP Top speed 142 km/h Lenght/width 4,42 m/1,62 m Weight 1070 kg