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>>
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
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>>
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>>
