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