Established by the Peugeot family in the early 19th century, then concerned with the manufacture of various industrial products, including the bicycle. In 1890, just 4 years after Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimlers invention of the motor car, Armand Peugeot used Daimlers engine to manufacture his own 4-wheel motor vehicle, based on his quadricycle. A handful of other models were created before the establishment of the Société des Automobiles Peugeot in 1896, the company more simply referred to today as Peugeot.
In 1897 Peugeot began the manufacture of their own engine, and followed on with the invention of some of the most important advances in automotive history, including (together with Michelin) the pneumatic tyre, use of a steering wheel (instead of tiller) and transmission shaft with universal joint (instead of chain). The Grand Prix car of 1912 was a stunning design, using a hemi-spherical combustion chamber with cross-flow head and 4-valves per cylinder driven by twin overhead camshafts. Peugeot went on to create fairly mundane models between the wars, the most successful of which was the 201, 140,000 being manufactured between 1929 and 1936.
The company bounced back after World War 2 with the indestructible 203, Australia playing a part in the cars well deserved reputation following a win in the inaugural Redex Trial. In 1965 Peugeot underwent massive expansion, becoming Peugeot S.A. (PSA), a holding company controlling all the group's different companies. PSA absorbed the bankrupted Citroen in 1976 and the falling European Chrysler-Simca in 1978. The group replaced the latter by resurrecting the almost forgotten marque Talbot, which struggled on for a time until 1986. Most significant of recent times, and responsible for the reverence afforded the marque today, was the arrival of 205 GTI in 1983.
1948 - 1960
From 1948 to 1954 the Peugeot 203 was the sole model in the Peugeot lineup, but what a beauty it was. At Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October, the new Peugeot represented the first totally new post-war car, and in the process Peugeot adopted a unique model policy. More>>
1955 - 1966
For the size of the car - a six- seater - the 1.5-litre engine at first appeared on the small side. When driving the car its lack of cubic inches was not noticed (except that fill-up stations need rarely be visited). The 403 came with an enlarged version of the Peugeot 203's 1290cc petrol engine - it was oversquare, bore and stroke being 80 mm. x 73 mm. giving a capacity of 1468cc. More>>
1960 - 1975
The build quality and strength of the Peugeot 404 was superior to many, if not most, of its rivals. The suspension was capable of soaking up bumps on the roughest of roads, it was fitted with an economical and bullet-proof 1.6 litre engine mated to a sturdy 4 speed transmission (when most rivals had only a 3 speed). More>>
1965 - 1975
The first fuel injection version of the Peugeot 404 engine was introduced in 1962, initially only for the Pininfarina cabriolet. The following year came an alternative installation for a Super Luxe version of the four-door saloon. Since the 404's introduction, the Peugeot engineers continued development work to the point that it seemed they were intent on releasing an entirely new car! More>>
1965 - 1970
During the development of the 204, the French press managed to keep the public keyed up with a barrage of tantalizing rumours. The 204 was officially revealed by Peugeot in December 1964, it clearly following the lead of the B.M.C. 1100 and later Autobianchi Primula in having its 4-cylinder engine placed east-west. More>>
1966 - 1970
We could say of the 204 coupe that is was stylish, innovative, practical and very economical. But there are many others that will quickly point out the lack of mumbo under the bonnet, and instead describe it as a wheezing underpowered try hard, that promised so much in design, and delivered so little on the bitumen. More>>
1969 - 1984
During its tenure, the Peugeot 504 would become one of the oldest cars on the Australian market – but even as it neared the end of its production life it was still considered to be among the world's best ten sedans. Originally released in Europe in 1968 and in Australia in 1969, it was, world wide, the largest selling model of Peugeot. The 504 was assembled by Renault Australia from knock-down kits at Renault's Victorian plant. More>>
1969 - 1984
That the Peugeot 504 is not such an uncommon sight on the roads today goes to prove the durability of the fine French auto. But from a styling point of view, the Peugeot 504 is and was a plain, not-quite-pretty French sedan with a relatively big body (inside and out) for its engine size. More>>
1969 - 1984
The 505 was one of the revelations of the early 1980's, it defining affordable quality and, in STi form, relatively good performance. Top of the range was the "Executive" sedan, which featured a distinctive two-tone paint job that was popular at the time, as well as a long list of standard features that most other manufacturers referred to as optional extra's. More>>
1975 - 1985
The Peugeot 604 is not particularly collectable, however for the time it was refined and well polished in most areas. Disappointing then that the main feature of the car, the V6 engine, was such a let down. Build quality problems added to the cars woes. Sales, which were never particularly strong, dipped in 1980 following the launch of the 505, and the last 604 rolled off the production line in 1985. Peugeot's next major executive car, the 605, was launched in 1989. More>>
1976 - 1988
When it was introduced, the Peugeot 104 was the smallest of the then current range, sizing up at only eleven-foot-long - but despite its size (or perhaps because of it) many believed it was one of the better Peugeots for those that liked driving, and the best of the 104 range was the ZS. More>>
1979 - 1985
Like many diesel engines of the time the Peugeot 604 Turbo Diesel was hard to start in the cold weather. In nearly all cases the problem could be overcome by some minor tweaks to the glow plugs and compression. This problem in itself was not enough to tarnish the 604 Turbo-Diesels reputation, but sales were never particularly strong. The last 604 rolled off the production line in 1985. Peugeot's next major executive car, the 605, was launched in 1989. More>>
1979 - 1985
With the introduction of the Peugeot 305 in 1977 the slightly angular look of the smaller Peugeots vanished; the 305 had, for the time, both a stylish and conventional look which, we are assured, became more attractive the longer you looked at it. It was designed by Pininfarina, an all-steel monocoque affair which strongly resembled the BMW 3-Series of the time. More>>
1984 - 1994
The Peugeot 205 GTi can be considered the first true "Hot Hatch", with a beautiful Pinnifarina styled body and amazing performance it was at the time "King of the Hot Hatch". More>>
1984
Undoubtedly, the emergence of Peugeot 205 T16 represented a new generation of Group B cars, taking engine technoogy to new heights in both power output and torque, a recipe that would quickly see the demise of Group B rally cars. More>>
1987 - 1987
In July 1987 Peugeot unveiled ten versions of the 405 simultaneously for the 1988 model year, with sales on the European continent beginning before Christmas, and sales in the UK beginning in March. Deliveries began in October 1987 for the sedan, and May 1988 for the wagon. More>>