This year, the Peugeot 504 Cabriolet celebrates its 55th anniversary. An important anniversary for this large, comfortable touring convertible, designed by Pininfarina, which has weathered the ages very well thanks to its proven reliability. The Peugeot 504 is part of the classic French cars highly sought after. To celebrate this anniversary, ALEPOC offers you, thanks to Atypykauto, the trial of a magnificent Peugeot 504 Cabriolet Series 1 equipped with the rare 4-cylinder engine 1.8.

 

Peugeot 504 convertible: Pininfarina, the Italian masterpiece

A timeless design

Turn around a Peugeot 504 The convertible takes us back to a time when Italian style was combined with French grace. The success of a stroke of the pencil is recognized by its ability to transcend time without aging. As a convertible enthusiast, I can only fall in love of such a marvel. The Peugeot The 504 convertible adopts a sleek design featuring dihedral flanks typical of Pininfarina's style.

I am fortunate to present to you one of the very first models registered in February 1970, thus benefiting from the initial sketch. At the front, four semi-rectangular headlights adorn the grille while the lights form three claws on each side, asserting its character !

An interior that lacks nobility

The convertible is distinguished from the coupe solely by its top, which is perfectly integrated and easy to handle. Inside, the dashboard follows the path of the exterior body with simple lines that inspire robustness. The charm of the old works, and my hands explore every detail for a journey through time.

The steering wheel is beautifully designed, and the rare brushed aluminum instrument panel adds a touch of brightness. Moreover, in this first version, there isn't even a tachometer, indicating that sportiness was not a priority.  The interior feels brand new., with many elements restored:

  • Fresh paint

  • New convertible top, upholstery, and carpet

Originally a minor modification, pressure gauges were added by a previous owner, which helps to supplement the instrumentation that is sparse in information. However, Two options have been selected.s :

  •  A faux leather upholstery

  • Electric windows, which are rare on a vintage French car from the late 60s !

 

Peugeot 504 convertible: the rare 1.8 engine

Only 1114 convertibles produced

Upon its release in 1969, the Peugeot 504 convertible was only offered with the most powerful engine of the Peugeot 504 sedan, the 4-cylinder 1.8 with overhead valves and 103 hp injectionSAE. This engine was not necessarily up to the car's standard and remained in the catalog for only 18 months, between March 1969 and September 1970. It was replaced by an all-new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, then by the famous PRV V6.

If it was subject to criticism upon its release, he remains today one of the most sought-after engines, because only 1,114 convertibles were produced with the 1.8-liter engine.

The Peugeot 504 catches the eye

 The Peugeot old ones never sought sportiness and in this regard, the 504 even excels. Responsive and yet relatively torquey (137 Nm), the Peugeot 504 quickly reached its cruising speed around the 90 km/h.

On this sunny day in our beautiful Occitan region, I let myself be carried away, hair in the wind, along the country roads around Saint-Lys. My eyes fixed on the horizon notice, in a corner, the amused and astonished looks of the passersby. The effect of the popular French car, undoubtedly, or perhaps it's the fact that I'm driving with the top down while the temperatures hover around 13 degrees. No matter, the pleasure of driving at this speed with the top down is very real.

 

Peugeot 504 convertible: on the road, an excellent GT

The pleasure of driving was already present on this Peugeot 504, benefiting from a Healthy and pleasant driving behavior, to the point of not giving the impression of driving a car of that age. The driving position certainly contributes to this.

Once again, don't look for sportiness; comfort has been prioritized by the designers with suspensions that offer good softness.

The Peugeot The 504 convertible also benefits from the same technical advancements as the sedan, including:

  • Four independent wheels with McPherson legs at the front and arms pulled to the back;

  • A rear-wheel drive

  • Four273 mm disc brakes efficient and modern in diameter

  • A 4-speed manual gearbox

Thanks to its very well-designed running gear, the Peugeot 504 convertible residence precise and engaging as soon as the road winds. The direction proves to be precise given its time, and you can clearly feel the rear wrapping around while locking its position. A real pleasure! The Dunlop accessory wheels certainly contribute to this precision, but the suspension setup serves as a reminder, showing too much softness to handle multiple hairpin turns at a sustained pace. The Peugeot The 504 then starts to understeer, and you end up driving with your elbow on the window like a good GT, lulled by the gentle and discreet sound of the engine.

The Peugeot 504 Convertible remains very modern to drive, with a manual gearbox4 speeds with a floor-mounted shifter. It's a delight to handle, with gears that shift like a knife through butter.

Roger has a memory with the Peugeot 504, a gasoline sedan that he was able to test in the Gers in Auch. It was the first 504 delivered in the area, and it belonged to one of his clients, the head of a large construction company.

Peugeot 504 convertible: the assessment of a rare and historic model

 

55 years later, the Peugeot 504 convertible presents itself as a true gem for any enthusiast of French classic cars. She offers:

  • An exhilarating driving experience, capable of taking a small family on a trip.
  • A captivating story and timeless design that continue to attract everyone's attention.

The pros:

  • Spare parts for the Peugeot 504 are easily foundFor the mechanical part.

  • The reliability of the 1.8 engine, widely demonstrated during the various African rallies of the 1960s and 1970s, makes it suitable for daily use.

  • Its rarity makes it the most sought-after and probably the most desirable version, alongside the V6.

  • Rating on the rise.

To watch:

  • Rust can be its enemy, especially on less watertight convertibles.

  • Specific body parts are more difficult to find.

It is with a small tear in my eye that I hand over the keys to this magnificent, elegant convertible. Thank you to Atypykauto for lending this Peugeot 504 who isavailable on their website.

If you have doubts about the characteristics of a part or its compatibility with the Peugeot 504,Contact our team who will be happy to advise you.