Peugeot · 1960–1975

Peugeot 404

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. 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 litre petrol engine, with either a Solex carburetor or Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection or a 1.9 litre 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. 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 Sociéte de Montage Automobile (SoMA) Ltd. plant (1965–1968); in New Zealand by Campbell Industries; in Australia by Renault Australia Pty. Ltd.; and in Chile by Automotores Franco Chilena S.A. in Los Andes. 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. As the model was designed by Pininfarina, the bodyshell is very similarly styled to the one used in the 1959 Austin Westminster.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Peugeot 403 · Successor: Peugeot 405|Citroën ZX

All Peugeot 404 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Production history

=== 1960 === Saloon introduced with 73 PS (54 kW; 72 bhp) petrol engine and column-shift four-speed gearbox with gate "reversed" (first down, up for second, and towards the wheel for third down and fourth up) – identical to the 203 and 403 (except that fourth gear is direct drive). The Grand Touring model has square air vents on the dashboard and body-coloured wheels. 1961. Introduction of the Super Luxe model: Superstructure painted silver, chromed headlight rims, large diameter hubcaps, tan leather interior trim, front armrest. The body coloured wheels on the Grand Touring model were replaced with metallic silver ones. 1962. A new suspension with increased travel and flexibility was added. The dashboard was modified and the square air vents were replaced by circular directional vents. New reinforced drum brake linings were installed. Anti-reflective paint was used for the dashboard. Introduction of Commerciale, 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 have a 190 mm [7 in] longer wheelbase and are also longer (4,590 mm [181 in] compared to 4,445 mm [175 in]) and heavier (1,190 kg [2,624 lb] compared to 1,100 kg [2,425 lb]) than their saloon equivalents. The Commerciale (U6) is fitted with a 1468 cc engine (XB2), producing 60 hp DIN (44 kW) at 5000 rpm. Convertible launch. The Peugeot 404 cabriolet/convertible made its first appearance at the Paris Motor Show in October 1961 and the accompanying coupé version was laun

Technical specifications

8 CV petrol: 1,468 cc (89.6 cu in) (60 PS [44 kW; 59 bhp]) (discontinued October 1969) 9 CV petrol: 1,618 cc (98.7 cu in) for carbureted models (72 PS [53 kW; 71 bhp]) or KF, KF1 injection (85 PS [63 kW; 84 bhp] at 5,500 rpm), fuel economy: 10.8 L/100 km (26 mpg‑imp; 22 mpg‑US) 9 CV petrol: 1,618 cc (98.7 cu in) KF2 injection (96 PS [71 kW; 95 bhp] at 5,700 rpm). 8 CV Diesel: 1,948 cc (118.9 cu in) (64 PS [47 kW; 63 bhp]). Transmission: clutch disc or semi-automatic (Jaeger electromagnetic coupler) or ZF automatic. Suspension: Coil springs with hydraulic shock absorbers front and solid axle with Panhard rod at rear. Maximum speed: 167 km/h (104 mph) (fuel injected KF2 404 Cabriolet and Coupé)

Foreign assembly

The 404 was assembled in a number of countries besides France. It was manufactured by Safrar in Argentina (later Sevel) (162,583 cars built), and assembly took place in Australia (by the local Renault subsidiary – 8600 cars built), Belgium, Canada (about 3100 404 sedans were built at the SoMA plant shared with Renault), Chile (14,892 cars built), Ireland, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, New Zealand (2800 cars built), Nigeria, Portugal, Peru (by Braillard starting in 1967), Rhodesia, South Africa (79,045 cars built), and Uruguay. In South Africa, where the 404 saloon continued in production until the end of 1978, the GL and Automatique versions received the more powerful 1.8-litre (110 cu in) XM7 engine also used in the 504. The GL also received front seats similar to those of the 504, as well as the 504's floor-mounted shifter with its characteristic bend. Late cars also have 504 steering wheels, as 404 parts were becoming scarce. The 404 Wagon was assembled until early 1976, when the supply of French CKD kits dried up. 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 grille with integrated extra lamps.

Road tests and press reviews

=== 404 coupé injection === The 404 coupé with the desirable "KF2" fuel injected engine was tested by Motor magazine on December 4, 1965. The title of the article is "A First Class Job" and the rest of the article follows suit in praising the model, highlighting the car's remarkable performance and beauty. Even with 415 lb (188 kg) of driver and test equipment on board, the car posted a 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) acceleration time of 12.2 seconds, 18.8 seconds in the standing start 1⁄4 mile (0.40 km) and a top speed of 105.2 mph (169.3 km/h). Fuel economy (over a shorter test distance than usual) was 23.8 mpg‑imp (11.9 L/100 km; 19.8 mpg‑US), which the author suggests would have improved had the usual test distance been completed. The punitive British taxes of the 1960s made this a very expensive car indeed, equivalent in cost to a Jaguar Mark X. Overall the conclusions of the review were that it was an excellent car. 404 saloon. Autocar magazine tested the 96 hp (97 PS; 72 kW) fuel injected KF2 version of the 404 saloon/sedan in the spring of 1965. The testers summarized the car as follows: "100 MPH maximum and high cruising speeds; very well developed fuel injection giving easy starting and moderate fuel consumption; powerful fade-free drum brakes; accurate steering and good compromise suspension; comfortable seating with leather trim; sun-roof a standard fitting; priced rather high in the U.K." Mean maximum speed was measured at 100 mph (160 km/h) with a best leg of 101 mph (163 km/h); the standing start 1⁄4 mile (0.40 km) was measured at 18.8 seconds. Overall fuel consumption was 25.1 mpg‑imp (11.3 L/100 km; 20.9 mpg‑US). Canada Track & Traffic Magazine also tested the Peugeot 404 with fuel injection in their May 1965 issue. The testers measured a 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) tim

Motorsport

Peugeot 404s won the Safari Rally in 1963, 1966, 1967 and 1968, the latter three in Kugelfischer fuel-injected variants. In 2014, a 1963 Peugeot 404 was entered in a 24 Hours of LeMons race at Thunderhill Raceway Park, ran reliably through the 2-day event, and won the event's Index of Effluency award.

Current usage

With reference to the HTTP 404 Not Found error message, many Peugeot websites use pictures of the Peugeot 404 as an Easter egg feature.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Peugeot 404
Manufacturer: Peugeot SA
Class: Large family car (D)
Body style: 4-door saloon, 5-door estate, 2-door coupé, 2-door convertible, 2-door coupé utility (pickup)
Engine: petrol:, 1468 cc XB I4, 1616 cc XC I4, 1616 cc XCKF FI I4, 1796 cc XM7 I4 (ZA only), diesel:, 1816 cc XD85 I4, 1948 cc XD88 I4
Transmission: 4-speed manual, 3-speed ZF automatic
Production: 1960–1975
Assembly: France: Sochaux (Sochaux Plant), Argentina: El Palomar, Australia: Heidelberg, Victoria, Canada: Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec (SoMA), Chile: Los Andes (Automotores Franco Chilena S.A.), Colombia: Bogotá (CCA), Kenya: Mombasa, New Zealand: Thames (Campbell Motor Industries), Peru: Lima (Braillard), South Africa: Natalspruit, Transvaal
Layout: FR layout
Predecessor: Peugeot 403
Successor: Peugeot 504
Wheelbase: 2650 -
Length: 4442 mm (saloon), 4580 mm (estate), 4492 mm (coupé & cabriolet)
Width: 1612 mm, 1680 mm (coupé & cabriolet)
Height: 1450 mm (saloon), 1490 mm (estate), 1300 mm (coupé & cabriolet)
Kerb weight: 1060 -
Designer: Pininfarina