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Peugeot Cars

The Peugeot family, who still control the independent French motor manufacturer, began life as ironmongers, manufacturing coffee grinders, umbrella frames and bicycles - (Peugeot are still heavily involved in bicycle production) - before entering car production in 1876.

Peugeot began to manufacture and market their first bicycle, the Grand-Bi, in 1882. It was the brainchild of Armand Peugeot, who first became aware of the potential of this new method of locomotion during his studies in England. The 1889 World's Fair proved auspicious for the launch of the "Lion" bicycle into an era where travel and the needs of the time were confronted by a new necessity: speed. Peugeot quickly realised that the future lay in the motorisation of two and three-wheeled vehicles.

In 1889 Peugeot produced a steam driven, three wheeler in conjunction with LČon Serpollet.  but steam was soon dropped in favour of Daimler V-twin engines which were installed along with handlebar steering. 

In 1891, a Peugeot was driven from Beaulieu-Valentigney to Paris, then on to Brest, the first such journey by a petrol-driven car. Such was the acclaim for this remarkable feat, Peugeot found there was substantial demand for its cars, rising from five sold in 1891, to no less than 72 in 1895 and 300 cars by 1899.   

The Type 5 of 1894 won the first "race between non horse-powered vehicles", organised by the "Petit Journal", which took place over 128 km between Paris and Rouen. 

Britain first saw a Peugeot in 1895, when Sir David Salomons imported a 4 h.p. model. Another well-known name in motoring circles, the Hon. C.S. Rolls of Rolls-Royce fame, was selling another famous French marque, Panhard, but also took delivery of a Peugeot around this time. Again in 1895, 

 Andre Michelin showed off his 2.7 litre Peugeot, fitted with the then revolutionary invention: pneumatic tyres.   

 A new company entitled SA des Automobiles Peugeot was formed in 1897 to manufacture motor cars at Audincourt, taking over from the quaintly named ėLes Fils de Peugeot FrĖres*, or The Sons of Brothers Peugeot. 

In 1898 the company introduced a 3.3 litre engine and, in 1900, a  30 bhp, 5.8 litre engine was produced. There was also a 3 hp machine which weighed only 350 kg.   

In 1902, a factory was opened in Lille and the Peugeot range was expanded with a number of successful innovations, including honeycomb radiators and pressed steel frames. Siddeley of England began making Peugeots under licence.   

In 1903, a Robert Peugeot began making motorcycles in the old Beaulieu-Valentigney factory, adding cars to the line-up in 1906 under the name Lion-Peugeot.   

By 1912, Peugeot had re-entered racing - the French concern won the first ever motor race, albeit by default - and had new production models including a 10 hp machine designed by the later legendary Ettore Bugatti.   

Many of Ettore Bugattiķs creations - including a number of Peugeots - can be seen at the impressive French National Automobile Museum, located in the south-east town of Mulhouse, close to both the German and Swiss borders. 

After the First World War, Peugeot developed a series of 3-cylinder engines and by 1923 had experimented with 2-stroke diesels. 

By 1922, a six cylinder, 6-litre, twin carburettor car had been introduced, and a 1.4 litre, 10 hp machine was also being developed.   

The infamous 668cc Quadrilette was launched around this time, acquiring a 719 cc engine in 1926 and front brakes - previously, only rear-wheel brakes were fitted - in 1929. 

In 1927, a 950 cc engine was offered as an option.  Peugeot expanded with factories in other regions of France, when it acquired De Dion Bouton and Bellanger FrĖres, the latter located at picturesque Neuilly-sur Seine.   

More new models were introduced in 1928, including the two litre, six cylinder Type 183. A limited production 201X sports car was launched using a supercharged Bugatti engine.   

The 201 was presented at the Paris show in 1929. This model inaugurated the numbering system with a central zero: the first figure indicates size, the third the chronology, and the zero provides the link between numbers.

In 1935, Peugeot produced its last six cylinder engine,until the V6 604 was introduced. During the Second World War, Peugeot made electric cars, known as the VLV. Capable of almost 50 km/h, the VLV was an original design with a two-seat cabriolet body.   

 After the war, Peugeot was one of the first European manufacturers to re-establish its production lines and, in 1946, the company sold more than 14,000 of its 202 model, introducing the 203 a year later.   

In 1955, the  403 was launched, complete with synchromesh gearbox and a 1.5 litre engine. By 1962, over 1 million 403s had been built and in 1960 the Pininfarina-designed 404 made an appearance.   

In 1959, the 403 became the first mass-produced Peugeot to be fitted with a Diesel engine. It was also the first Peugeot created by the Italian designer Pininfarina.

The 403 was to last until the end of 1966, 

The 504 was launched in 1969. A rugged, no-nonsense saloon, the 504 featured a four cylinder engine, rear wheel drive and torque tube transmission - the propshaft ran inside a casing; to change the clutch, it was necessary to remove the engine, not the gearbox.   

Peugeot was beginning to develop a range of cars to suit everybody. Far from the single models it had produced in the past, Peugeot now had a full range from the 1.1 litre 104, the 304 the 504 to the 604. 

In 1974 the company acquired Citroen  and then  Chrysler Europe formerly the Talbot/Rootes concern. To this day, Peugeots are still built at former Chrysler factories in Britain.